Video of two fighter jets in flyover at the Chicago Bears-Arizona Cardinals game Sunday, November 8, 2009. The video shows two F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets that flew to Soldier Field from Virginia.

The two fighter jets that flew over Soldier Field were F/A-18F Super Hornets — two-seat fighter/attack jets with the objective of intercepting and destroying enemy threats in all weather conditions. The fighter jets are based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia — 16 miles east of Norfolk, Virginia. The call sign for Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11) if Ripper.

VFA-11 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Three and deployed to the Persian Gulf with USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in November 2007. VFA-11 and the rest of CVW-3 returned home on June 4, 2008. Squadron 11 recently swapped CVW’s, Changing from Carrier Air Wing Three to Carrier Air Wing One with the air wing attached to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65). USS Enterprise (CVN-65), formerly CVA(N)-65, is the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth U.S. naval vessel to bear the name USS Enterprise (Big E). From 2003 to 2004, the carrier provided air support for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In the film Top Gun, character Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise) served on an aircraft carrier depicted as the USS Enterprise.

Soldier Field
Soldier Field serves as a memorial to American soldiers who died in wars, hence its name. It was designed in 1919 and completed in the 1920s. Soldier Field opened as Municipal Grant Park Stadium — officially opening on October 9, 1924 (the 53rd anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire). The name change to Soldier Field occurred on November 11, 1925.

Veterans Day
Although originally scheduled for celebration on November 11 of every year, starting in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. In 1978 it was moved back to its original celebration on November 11, except when occurs on a Sunday when the following Monday is designated for holiday leave. If November 11 occurs on a Saturday, then either Saturday or Friday may be designated as Veterans Day.

Arlington Heights Neighbors:
Visit the Veterans Day Benefit for the Drive to Revive Memorial Park at Arlington Lakes Golf Club
Wed, November 11, 6pm – 8pm

Where …
Arlington Lakes Golf Club
1211 S New Wilke Road Arlington Heights IL (map)
Description
6 to 8 pm at Arlington Lakes Golf Club — vital fundraising is underway for Phase II … suggested donation $25 individual, $40 couple.

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