Foreign media: US F-22 withdraws from Super Bowl performance due to "combat mission"
Reference News Network reported on February 9 According to the British Independent website on February 7, the U.S. Air Force announced on the 6th that two F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, originally scheduled to participate in the low-altitude flyover segment of the 60th Super Bowl, have withdrawn due to "operational missions."
Katie Spencer, who helped organize the Air Force's sports outreach program and coordinated the low-altitude flyover formation, said that in the initial concept, the F-22 fighters were to participate in the Super Bowl performance, but as operational demands increased, they were reassigned.
In an interview with the U.S. Army Times on the 6th, Spencer said, "We had wanted to introduce the Air Force's fifth-generation fighters and the Navy's fifth-generation fighters in the low-altitude flyover. But as the military situation changed, the operational tempo increased, so the F-22 fighters withdrew from that segment to carry out some operational missions."
Spencer declined to elaborate on the specific mission that required the F-22 fighters to be reassigned, but the aircraft have recently participated in several high-profile operations. In June 2025, the F-22 fighters played a key role in Operation Midnight Hammer, a military operation led by B-2 Spirit bombers targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
Reports indicate that the F-22 fighters, utilizing advanced sensors and stealth capabilities, are responsible for monitoring potential threats and providing real-time intelligence to the strike formation. (Translated by Hu Xue)
On February 7, 2021, in Tampa, Florida, B-52H, B-2, and B-1B bombers conducted a flyover above the venue of the 55th Super Bowl. (AFP file photo)
Two F-22 Raptors from the U.S. Air Force withdrew from the Super Bowl performance on February 6, 2021, due to operational tasking. Katie Spencer stated that the aircraft were reassigned to meet increased military demands. The F-22s have been involved in recent significant operations, including monitoring potential threats.
- Two F-22 Raptors were scheduled to participate in the Super Bowl but withdrew due to operational tasks.
- The F-22s were reassigned to respond to increased operational demands.
- Katie Spencer mentioned the initial plan included fifth-generation fighters for the event.
- The F-22s have recently been involved in significant military operations, including the 'Midnight Hammer' operation against Iranian nuclear facilities.
- The F-22s are equipped with advanced sensors and stealth capabilities.