Navy mechanic from area has support role in flyover
A U.S. Navy mechanic originally from Cleveland, Tennessee, is among the sailors maintaining the aircraft for a squadron in Sunday’s Super Bowl flyover.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jared Sharp is a 2006 graduate of Walker Valley High School in Cleveland. He joined the Navy three years ago.
“I joined the Navy to show the youth in my hometown the importance of service and the importance of getting out and seeing the world,” he said in a news release. “My hometown taught me what a lot of others’ hometowns teach them, that I needed to leave in order to provide valuable knowledge back to my people back home.”
According to Rick Burke of the Navy Office of Community Outreach, the flyover formation includes two F/A-18F Super Hornets from “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron 122, an F-35C Lightning II from “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron 147 and an EA-18G Growler from “Vikings” Electronic Attack Squadron 129.
The jets will pass over State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as country singer Chris Stapleton performs the national anthem before kickoff.
The flyover will make history as the first to feature women pilots, honoring 50 years of women flying for the maritime service branch. The Navy began teaching women to fly in 1973.
Sharp serves as an aviation structural mechanic for safety equipment for Strike Fighter Squadron 122, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.
“My favorite and most fulfilling part about my naval service is working with my people on the ship and on shore,” Sharp said.
“Serving means sacrifice,” he added. “It’s a badge of honor that has made me the best version of myself for my country.”
Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The game will be televised by Fox.