Tag Archives: super bowl

Soldiers Get Super Bowl Monday Off

The Associated Press reported MajGen James McConville — “a Massachusetts native” — has declared Monday a day off for his soldiers so they can celebrate the Super Bowl.

In a video message posted on Facebook, Maj. Gen. James McConville of Quincy, Mass., said Monday would be a day of no scheduled activities in “recognition of your outstanding performance during multiple combat deployments.”

In the same vein, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey posted an official video telling troops to enjoy the game — and declaring himself a Giants fan.

It is not unusual for members of the military overseas — where the Super Bowl may occur in the middle of the night or on Monday due to the time zones — to likewise get the day off.

As noted previously, religion isn’t the only “ideology” the military accommodates.  Turns out football is accommodated, too.

Navy Islamic Helo Pilot on Celebrating Ramadan

US Navy Lt Haji “Omar” Shareef, a helicopter pilot, was interviewed recently on his ability to adhere to the religious tenets of Ramadan while being a military pilot.  (Video below the fold.)

While he says Muslims can largely do their duties, he notes they do ask for accommodations such as not doing physical training during the day, since they cannot drink water between sunrise and sunset.

On his part, as a pilot, he “puts himself on Read more

Thunderbirds Fly Super Bowl Winners

Much to the chagrin of the general public, you pretty much have to be famous or have a friend in the right place to score a ride in an Air Force fighter.  Recently, Super Bowl XLIV champions Drew Brees and Jabari Greer had that experience, even flying with the US Air Force demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, during the Defenders of Liberty airshow at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

Generally, the flights serve as an act of goodwill between organizations with Read more

US Air Force Supports Super Bowl XLIV

As the excitement builds in the minutes before the Super Bowl kickoff, four Air National Guard F-15 Eagle fighter jets will scream over Miami’s Sun Life Stadium in a dramatic show of military support for the big game.

The US Air Force supported Super Bowl XLIV in several ways:  Not only the flyby by ANG F-15s as the National Anthem completed, but also airborne fighters in protective patrols in the skies overhead.  Other military support included the Armed Forces Color Guard that presented the Colors prior to the game.

Besides the obvious need for security, the military support–particularly the flyby–is both an inspirational patriotic event and a recruiting tool.  The military participation certainly isn’t an endorsement of either the Super Bowl, its sponsors, or either Read more