These New Mexicans are thrilled to participate in Super Bowl flyover

Feb. 9—Sixteen years ago, Caitlin Hillygus spoke about the challenges that young women face in a male-dominated world.

At that time, she was 18, receiving an award for making a difference and getting ready to journey into college.

Today, the Albuquerque native is a Petty Officer First Class in the Navy.

On Sunday, she and another Albuquerque native will make history as part of the flyover before Super Bowl LVII — a flyover that for the first time is piloted by an all-female team of pilots.

One of those pilots is fellow New Mexican Lt. Caitlin Perkowski, who told "Good Morning America" Thursday morning that participating in the Super Bowl's national anthem performance is "any pilot's dream." She will be flying the rear point of the diamond formation.

Hillygus is an aviation structural mechanic, providing crucial safety support in the squadron that does air shows around the country.

But the Super Bowl changes the game.

"This event is so huge," she says. "It's seen by millions and we have to be on point in getting all the logistics together for the flyover."

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 Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147; and an EA-18G Growler from the Vikings Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129.

"This is the cream of the crop," Hillygus says. "I feel honored because senior leadership hand-picked the team. It's a super honor and I feel lucky to be a part of this."

Hillygus graduated from Sandia High School in 2007 and earned her degree from Multnomah University in 2012.

She was working in health care finance before she decided to enlist in the military.

"I had wanted to enlist when I was 18," Hillygus says. "My parents talked me out of it and I went to college. I was 27 when I went into the Navy. It was a quarter-life crisis. I still had the itch for wanting to be in the military. If I didn't do it at that time, I wouldn't have done it."

She's been in the Navy six years now.

Her first contract saw her stationed in Japan, where she was part of a squadron that would attach to the USS Ronald Reagan.

"We were deployed for six to eight months at a time," Hillygus says. "It was an intense tour. Twelve-hour days were regularly done. In our off months, we prepared for deployment."

Perkowski graduated from La Cueva High School in 2011 and from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2015.

"My hometown taught me how to have mental toughness," Perkowski says. "I learned that just because I'm not the best at every sport or every job, doesn't mean I should stop working to become the best that I can be. It taught me how to motivate others to do the same."

She graduated from Purdue University with a Masters of Science in Engineering in 2019.

Perkowski joined the Navy eight years ago, continuing the family history of serving in the military.

"My father is a 1980 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Navy pilot," Perkowski says. "He flew the F-4 Phantom and the E-2 Hawkeye. I grew up rooting for Navy, and was inspired to become a pilot."

Today, Perkowski serves as a Navy pilot attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 192.

"Flying the jet is an honor, but I love the job because of the people I have the pleasure of working with each day," Perkowski says. "My favorite job was being a division officer because of the interactions I got to have with my sailors."

As Perkowski continues to train and perform missions, there's a great deal of pride serving in the U.S. Navy.

"Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of purpose," Perkowski adds. "I feel like my job matters, and that I can facilitate the American way of life through what I do everyday."

Hillygus is now stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington.

"My family always had a strong work ethic, and when I was a teenager I started working right away," she says. "I was fortunate to be able to work with the city of Albuquerque Outdoor Recreation, where I learned the importance of being dependable under great mentors. I worked for the University of New Mexico as a work study in the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Department, and there I learned attention to detail under a great team."

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She grew up in a military family.

"I specifically had strong women in my family like my grandmother, who served in the Marines and my mother who served in the Air Force. I've always been interested in aviation, and I wanted to follow my passions and enlist in the Navy."

In 2007, Hillygus was honored by the Journal's Sage magazine in its annual Making a Difference issue.

"I've always wanted to be around women who are making a difference," she says. "Sixteen years ago, I was addressing women finding a place in a male-dominated world. Now I'm part of the change."

Another NM connection

Chief Petty Officer Joseph Parry, son of an Alamogordo resident, is one of the sailors maintaining the aircraft for Electronic Attack Squadron 129 for the flyover at the Super Bowl.

Parry joined the Navy 20 years ago and now serves as an aviation machinist's mate.

"I joined the Navy due to the original 'Top Gun' movie," Parry says. "Funny to say that because I never thought they would make another one."

Parry has a great deal of pride serving in the Navy.

"Serving in the Navy has been an honor and a privilege," Parry says. "Because of the 'Top Gun' movie I knew from a young age that I wanted to join."

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