For the past five decades, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have participated in the Super Bowl, flying over stadiums during the national anthem performance.

» RELATED: Atlanta's own Gladys Knight will sing national anthem at Super Bowl 53

This year's flyover will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, who will take off from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, and the fighter pilots of the renowned air demonstration squadron are relying on Gladys Knight to help execute it perfectly.

Lt. Col. Eric Gorney told "CBS This Morning" he'd be in the control room Sunday with a spreadsheet, "hacking the clock at the end of each line of the national anthem to make sure we're on time."

He’ll be waiting on Knight to recite the last few lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner”: “O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.”

» RELATED: Actress/comedian says Gladys Knight should sing an alternative to the national anthem at the Super Bowl

“I'm reliant on Gladys Knight to execute on script on time,” Gorney said. “The first thing to remember is we're going 400 mph. So we can't just stop and hover. ... We have started flying in about a minute prior to the national anthem even starting.”

The soul singer, who also chatted with “CBS This Morning,” said she will get the timing down.

“I say I'm gonna do it, and you guys will know exactly when I'm gonna do this line right here,” Knight laughed.

Although the Thunderbirds, Knight and other coordinators are working to conduct a seamless flyover, fans inside the stadium may not get to see it.

The NFL has yet to determine whether the roof will be open. It could be a game day decision and will be based on the weather.

» RELATED: Will stadium roof be open or closed for Super Bowl?

About the Author

Keep Reading

The streets of Manhattan are packed with crowds for Panda Day, the popular street fair that inspired founder BiuBiu Xu to expand the event to a full-scale, three-day festival called Panda Fest. The first city on Panda Fest's national tour is Atlanta April 4-6, followed by Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle and the Twin Cities. The festival is sold out in Atlanta.

Credit: Courtesy of Panda Fest

Featured

Much of Georgia was under a Level 3 of 5 risk for severe weather on March 31, 2025. The far northern portion of the state was under a Level 2 and 1 risk.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News