Military Aircraft Expected Over South Bay for Super Bowl Training

Exercise to include fighter jets, transports, and Civil Air Patrol planes

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:15pm

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The U.S. military will be conducting an air defense exercise over the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8th. The training exercise is scheduled to take place from 12:30 to 2:30 PM and will involve F-15 fighter jets, U.S. Air Force C-17 transport planes, and Civil Air Patrol aircraft.

Why it matters

This training exercise is part of the extensive security preparations for the Super Bowl, one of the biggest sporting events in the United States. The military regularly conducts these types of exercises to ensure readiness and coordination for major events that require enhanced air defense capabilities.

The details

The air defense exercise will involve a variety of military aircraft, including F-15 fighter jets, U.S. Air Force C-17 transport planes, and Civil Air Patrol aircraft. The exercise is designed to test the military's ability to respond quickly and effectively to potential threats in the airspace around the Super Bowl venue.

  • The exercise is scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.

The players

U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force is the aerial and space warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States.

Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol is a federally chartered, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

Levi's Stadium

Levi's Stadium is an American football stadium located in Santa Clara, California, and the home of the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.

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The takeaway

This military training exercise is a critical part of the comprehensive security preparations for the Super Bowl, ensuring the safety and security of the event and the surrounding community.