CT native to make Super Bowl history as member of U.S. Navy flyover team

Winsted native Mackenzie Andrews-Griswold will help make Super Bowl history Sunday as a member of the team conducting the first all-female U.S. Navy flyover at the conclusion of the national anthem during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The flyover also commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy.

Andrews-Griswold, an aviation structural mechanic second class now living in Lemoor, Calif., is assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 97. Lt. Suzelle Thomas will be piloting the F-35C aircraft that Andrews-Griswold maintains, which is the newest aircraft in the Navy, according to “Good Morning America.”

“We are all so proud of her,” Andrews-Griswold’s aunt Georgi Andrews said. “She was chosen to be part of this team, and now she is going to be part of history. She is very excited.” Andrews-Griswold joined the Navy after graduating from The Gilbert School in Winsted in 2015.

“She joined to serve her country and explore the world,” Andrews said. “She wanted to follow the footsteps of many prior enlisted family members.”

According to a news release from the U.S. Navy, Andrews-Griswold has learned lessons from her hometown that have stayed with her during her time in the Navy. She has also learned that hard work and perseverance is “a key to success.”

The pilots will flyover State Farm Stadium before the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The aircraft will fly in a diamond formation around 345 mph and will depart from Luke Air Force Base . The flyover formation includes two F/ A-18F Super Hornets from the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, a F-35C Lightning

II from the “Warhawks” of (VFA) 97 and a EA-18G Growler from “Vikings” Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129.

Andrews-Griswold will not be the only person on the field representing the Nutmeg state.

Eagles coaches Jeff Stoutland and Roy Istvan both attended Southern Connecticut State University as players and later became coaches.

Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive lineman, Lucas Niang of New Canaan, and

Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive tackle, Jack Driscoll, of Madison, will also be part of Sunday’s game.

Contributed photo Winsted native and U.S. Navy mechanic Mackenzie Andrews-Griswold maintains one of the aircrafts scheduled to fly over State Farm Stadium during the national anthem at Super Bowl LVII on Sunday.