Local Fighter Pilot From Milton to Fly in the Super Bowl Flyover
A hometown story is headed to the biggest stage in sports.
Caleb Champion, a Milton High School graduate and former Panthers running back, will take part in the Super Bowl flyover as part of a U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II flight crew. Champion graduated from Milton High School in 2015 before continuing his path through the United States Naval Academy and naval aviation training.
Now, he’s representing Northwest Florida during one of the most watched moments in American sports.
From Milton Panthers to Naval Aviation
After high school, Champion attended the U.S. Naval Academy, earning a degree in quantitative economics before commissioning as a Naval officer. His aviation training included time at Naval Air Station Pensacola, followed by advanced flight training that led him to the F-35C Lightning II, one of the Navy’s most advanced aircraft.
The Super Bowl flyover is a precision operation involving months of coordination, tight timing, and elite-level flying. Being selected is a major career milestone.
Pensacola’s Deep Aviation Roots
Stories like this are part of why Pensacola is known as the Cradle of Naval Aviation. The region has trained generations of aviators and continues to play a central role in U.S. military flight training.
That aviation legacy is also why the Blue Angels call Pensacola home. From NAS Pensacola to the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, aviation is woven into the identity of the area.
What This Means for the Community
Local pilots flying national events shine a spotlight on Pensacola’s role in aviation training and military service. It’s also a reminder that hometown athletes can take very different paths to national recognition.
If aviation is on your calendar this year, stay tuned for our upcoming Blue Angels and Pensacola air show guides, including what to expect at the beach shows later this summer.
📍 More aviation stories and event guides are always available on Must Do Pensacola.
