Utah Army National Guard Apache Helicopters to Overfly 29 Wasatch Front High Schools for 9/11 25th Anniversary Tribute

DRAPER, Utah – In a powerful statewide act of remembrance, the Utah Army National Guard
will honor the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, with Operation Friday Night Flights, a
coordinated flyover of 29 high school football stadiums in a single night. The tribute is designed
to connect the memory of 9/11 with the unity of Utah communities and the precision and
professionalism of the Utah Army National Guard.

The concept ties remembrance to one of America’s most familiar and enduring traditions —
Friday night football. From Ogden to Spanish Fork, communities across the Wasatch Front will
pause together in a visible and meaningful act of reflection, service, and patriotism. The event
seeks to honor those lost on 9/11, recognize the sacrifice and resolve that followed, and reflect
the spirit of national unity Americans felt following Sept. 11, 2001.

Ten AH-64E Apache helicopters from the Utah Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 211th
Aviation Regiment will conduct the mission, with 20 aircrew members flying five simultaneous
routes over 29 high school games. Organized by the 1-211th, known as the “Air Pirates,” the
operation represents a large-scale shared tribute that brings the Guard directly into communities
across the state.

Because all 29 games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., the flyovers will take place in a
compressed 19-minute window, from 6:41 p.m. to 6:59:30 p.m. Each route is carefully planned,
and each stadium crossing is timed to the second. Once airborne, the aircraft must maintain a
fixed sequence and cannot slow down or reorder stops, underscoring the discipline, coordination,
and professionalism required to carry out this tribute safely and successfully.

“Operation Friday Night Flights is more than an aviation training event. It is a statewide
expression of remembrance — honoring 9/11 through unity, service, and precision — a reminder
that 25 years later, we are still united in gratitude, resilience, and love of country.” Said Lt. Col.
Robert Heightman, commander of the 1-211th Attack Battalion.

Flyover Schedule
Times below are 50-yard-line crossing times for each school and are grouped by flight route.

About the 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment:
The 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, “Air Pirates,” is an AH-64E Apache attack
helicopter battalion of the Utah Army National Guard’s 97th Aviation Troop Command, based in
West Jordan, Utah.

Media Notes: Any questions please contact Lt. Col. Tambra West at [email protected].