Howdy y’all and buckle up for this weeks News 6 update: Super Bowl edition!

Whether you’re flying with the Eagles or hailing the Chiefs nation, we have all your military Super Bowl news right here at News 6.

Super Bowl Honors 50 Years of Female Naval Aviation 

The pregame show before the big game on Sunday involves a special tribute flyover celebrating the women pilots of the Navy.

The formation will include two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 and an F-35C Lightning II from the “Argonauts” of VFA-147

It will also include an EA-18G Growler from the “Vikings” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129

The squadrons, hailing from Naval air station Lemoore, California and Naval air station Whidbey Island, Washington, will begin their journey to the superbowl from Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

“It’s not a feeling I can even put into words,” Lt. Katie Martinez, a naval flight officer assigned to VFA-122, said in an official statement from the Navy. “It doesn’t get bigger than the Super Bowl, and I am humbled and honored to be able to participate with my friends and fellow naval aviators as part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

This year marks 50 years since the first class of women started flight school in Pensacola, Florida in 1973.

You can find digital playing cards of the pilots taking part in this momentous flyover at dvidshub.net

The footballs, cheer, and spirits may be flying high on Sunday, but it’s safe to say that our naval aviators will be soaring just a little bit higher! Find out more at militarytimes.com

AFN SCORES A TOUCHDOWN WITH FREE SUPER BOWL VIEWING

AFNs new livestream service, AFN now, will be providing military overseas superbowl coverage absolutely free of charge. This service is only two months old but is up to the task!

The Director of the Defense Media Activity Hal Pittman said,

“DMA is working hard to provide our worldwide audiences with the very best entertainment, news, and sports programming available. The ability of AFN Now to livestream the most popular sports events ensures our military sports fans can catch the action on their schedules. This is a big win for our military and families serving overseas.”

Thanks in part to its 80 year history of working with the entertainment and sports industry, when AFN approached the NFL about partnering, the NFL was more than willing to participate.

“We are grateful to our sports industry partners for adopting our newer distribution platforms to keep AFN’s audiences entertained throughout the hardships that come while serving outside the United States,” said Chief Master Sergeant Jason David, DMA’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader. “Negotiating these digital broadcast rights to high-value sports programming demonstrates their support to U.S. service members around the world and all they do for our country.”

Members can download the AFN now app and watch it from their phone, tablet, or smart tv.

“Our audiences want live sports,” said Kim Antos, chief of digital platforms . “Delivering what our audiences want is important to us. Most of the AFN staff have also served overseas and know how important sports are to the morale and quality of life of our service members. AFN’s motto, ‘We Bring You Home,’ motivates us to provide the best programming and streaming experience possible.”

This App is free of charge for not only the military member but any family member, veteran, or retiree living overseas. You can download and register at afnnow.mil

Seven hours ahead or behind Arizona time and hoping to watch at a reasonable hour? Never fear! This app also allows you to record.

Raise some Gluhwein or Sake for your favorite team, you international superstars! Way to bring Americas sport to a global level! Find out more at defense.gov/

Finalists Chosen for USAA and NFLs Salute to Heroes 

Cincinnati Bengal’s TE Hayden Hurst, San Francisco 49er’s TE George Kittle and Washington Commander’s head coach Ron Rivera, are the three finalists chosen for Salute to Heroes, an award given to NFL players and coaches for exceptional charitable work for the military community.

“All three of this year’s finalists for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA serve America’s military community in different but impactful ways, with each deserving recognition for their exemplary commitment to those who wear the uniform,” said Vice Admiral (Ret.) John Bird, USAA senior vice president of military affairs. “From caring for the mental health of veterans, to connecting with military families, and the unwavering support of active-duty servicemembers, USAA thanks and salutes Hayden, George and Coach Rivera for their commitment to our military, veterans and their families, and to all NFL fans for helping determine this year’s worthy finalists.”

USAA will give $25,000 in the award recipient’s honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL will match USAA’s donation of $25,000, which will be donated to the award recipient’s military charity of choice.

They will also receive a coin specially designed and made for the recipient. 

Hayden Hurst was nominated due to his advocacy of mental health care for military members. He has also donated to Too Dogg K9 foundation, which pairs service dogs with veterans. He has used his Hayden Hurst Foundation to sponsor several military appreciation events in the Cincinnati area and has also worked with Armed Forces Tickets Association to get tickets for military members to enjoy a pre season bengals game.

George Kittle was nominated due to his long history of connecting military members and veterans to football, while donating generously to multiple military charities. These include My Cause My Cleats initiative, the Pat Tillman Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and Merging Vets & Players (MVP). Last season he gifted 150 tickets to national guard members and this year he has hosted militsry members at every 49ers game. He founded the Hidden Pearls Podcast (HPP) to connect with military veterans through storytelling.

Ron Rivera, an army brat himself, surprised deploying troops at BWI airport along with several of his players. He visited 250 active and former members of the military at the club’s Salute to Service Day. He also hosted a practice at Joint Base Andrews and hosted 9 wounded veterans to come watch the team at training camp. He donates all his earnings as a Spotify nfl channel guest to the USO and is a supporter of the TAPS foundation.

The giving of the award will be airing live Thursday, Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on NBC, NFL Network and Peacock from Symphony Hall in Phoenix. Find out more at NFL.com.

Hats off to you, players and coach! You never drop the ball when it comes to honoring our military!

Today in History

Keeping with the football theme……Today in 1926 the newly formed National Football League  ruled that players were ineligible to be drafted until their college class graduated. 

The NFL grew to 22 teams that year, with The Frankford Yellow Jackets edging a victory over the Chicago Bears in the championship game.

I guess the Bears were  playing the long game, however, since they’re the ones that are still a household name.

Find out more at history.com. That’s if for me! I’m Emma Tighe with News 6, where Information empowers. Go Chiefs!