Don’t be alarmed if you see or hear military aircraft buzzing over the South Bay in the days leading up to Super Bowl LX.
For Super Bowl LX training and security, military aircraft are conducting air defense exercises and flyover rehearsals over the South Bay and Santa Clara region.
Air Defense Training Exercises
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is conducting Exercise FELIX HAWK. These drills are designed to prepare for potential airspace violations and to enforce the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporary flight restrictions during the game.
Schedule:
Training took place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PST. Additional intermittent activity may be seen in the days leading up to the game on February 8.
Aircraft Involved:
F-15 Fighter Jets (Air National Guard)
U.S. Air Force C-17 Transports
Civil Air Patrol aircraft
Visibility: Aircraft are scheduled to fly at approximately 6,000 feet and may be visible from the ground across the greater Santa Clara area.
Joint Formation Flyover
In addition to defense exercises, a historic joint formation flyover is being prepared to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary during the game’s national anthem.
Flyover Aircraft:
Air Force:
Two B-1B Lancers (Ellsworth AFB, SD) and two F-15C Eagles (Fresno Air National Guard Base, CA).
Navy: Two F/A-18E Super Hornets and two F-35C Lightning IIs (Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA).
Rehearsals and Outreach:
Pilots and crew will participate in community outreach throughout Super Bowl week, including public displays of aircraft and search-and-rescue demonstrations.
Flight Restrictions for Residents
The FAA has established strict Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and “No Drone Zones” centered on Levi’s Stadium:
Drones: Banned between Levi’s Stadium and San Francisco starting February 3, 2026.
General Aviation: Restrictions are active from February 4 through February 10, 2026.
Game Day TFR: On February 8, a 30-nautical-mile restriction will be in effect from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time.