Two United States Air Force (USAF) A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from Fort Wayne, Indiana, will perform a ceremonial flyover during the pre-game activities of the University of Notre Dame versus Duke football game Saturday (Sept. 12). The crew is from the 122nd Fighter Wing, 163rd Fighter Squadron "Blacksnakes" unit from the Indiana Air National Guard.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Travis Brabec, assistant professor of aerospace studies with Notre Dame’s Air Force ROTC unit - Detachment 225, the flyovers not only lend a positive game day atmosphere, but also they serve as important military training components for pilots. “Military pilots are required to record a number of training flight hours to maintain proficiency, and flyovers provide opportunities to fulfill those requirements,” he said.