F-22s Pulled From Super Bowl Flyover, Rerouted At the Last Moment For ‘Operational Assignments’

While Super Bowl LX will feature a sweeping display of U.S. airpower over Levi’s Stadium, Air Force officials confirmed Friday that F-22 Raptor fighters originally slated to participate were reassigned to operational missions as military demands intensified. The Raptors’ removal underscores the reality that the military aircraft showcased during major national events remain on active standby, even during the most-watched sporting event of the year.

The flyover will now include Air Force B-1 Lancer bombers and F-15C Eagle fighters alongside Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35C Lightning II jets. But careful observers noticed something unusual on the commemorative flight suit patch released ahead of the event: a silhouette of the F-22 still appears.

According to the Department of the Air Force, that inclusion reflects earlier planning, not a last-minute error. Katie Spencer, the Air Force’s Sports Outreach Program manager, said planners initially sought to showcase fifth-generation fighters from both the Air Force and Navy, pairing the F-22 with the Navy’s F-35C. That plan changed as real-world requirements intervened.

“Operational tempo has increased,” Spencer said, explaining that the Raptors were reassigned to active missions before final approval of the flyover.

While officials declined to provide specifics, the decision comes amid heightened U.S. military activity across multiple theaters. American aircraft have conducted recent strikes against ISIS targets in Syria, and F-22s played a critical role last year in Operation Midnight Hammer, the B-2 bomber-led campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities. The F-22 also participated in Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela, establishing U.S. dominance in the airspace over Caracas.

Even without the Raptors, Sunday’s flyover is designed to project both scale and symbolism. The B-1 Lancer, a long-range bomber capable of delivering massive conventional firepower, will lead the formation, flanked by fighters representing multiple generations of U.S. air dominance.

F-15C Eagles from California’s Fresno Air National Guard Base were added late in the planning process to complete the formation, filling the gap left by the F-22s. Planners said the choice reflects the broader theme of the event: marking the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary with a display that blends heritage, readiness, and modern capability.

Officials also emphasized that Super Bowl flyovers do not require additional taxpayer funding. The flights are conducted as part of scheduled training, allowing aircrews to practice precise timing, coordination, and maintenance recovery under real-world conditions.

“These flyovers serve as time-over-target training,” Spencer said, noting that the same proficiency displayed during major combat operations is built through exercises like Sunday’s formation flight.

On the field, a joint color guard from the Military District of Washington, drawing members from every branch of the armed forces, will render ceremonial honors before kickoff. With Levi’s Stadium’s open-air design allowing for a larger-than-normal formation, officials said fans can expect a visceral experience, despite the omission of the fifth-generation fighter.

“They’re going to hear something special,” Spencer said. “They’re going to feel it.”

The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots face off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.