Texas Tech University Athletics
Flyover planned for Homecoming against Arizona State
October 16, 2026 | Football
Flight crew will feature four Texas Tech graduates who are part of Texas Army National Guard
LUBBOCK, Texas โ Homecoming will have an extra meaning for four Texas Tech graduates who will be part of the flyover crew Saturday prior to kickoff between the 10th-ranked Red Raiders and Arizona State at Galaxy Stadium.
The flyover will feature two Chinook helicopters as well as a medevac Blackhawk and one assault Blackhawk, all from the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. The flight crew includes Major Chad Dieter, a 2010 alumnus of Texas Tech, Major Jessie Guajardo, Texas Tech class of 2011, Major James Stetzer, Texas Tech class of 2012 and 1st Lt. Jeremy Wilkey, Texas Tech class of 2023.
"Homecoming is one of our favorite weeks of the season, with this year no different," said Robert Giovannetti, Texas Tech Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Operations. "The relationship between Texas Tech Athletics and the various branches of our military are on display each home Saturday during the season, and this week's flyover only adds to what we expect will be an electric atmosphere inside Galaxy Stadium. We can't thank our military partners enough for the coordination involved in making each flyover happen."
Texas Tech will practice the flyover coordination at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon with the flight crew expected to descend on Galaxy Stadium at that time and then proceed to UMC Children's Hospital for a flyover for its pediatric patients. The UMC flyover is intended to give the patients a first look at what 60,000 fans will experience inside Galaxy Stadium on Saturday.
The flight crew will later visit UMC Children's Hospital on Saturday morning, presenting patients with the same rally towels that will be available inside Galaxy Stadium that afternoon. The flight crew will be dressed and ready for Saturday's flyover, giving patients the opportunity to try out their helmets and more as part of the scheduled visit.
Kickoff between the Red Raiders and Sun Devils is slated for 2:30 p.m. from a sold-out Galaxy Stadium. For fan information leading into Saturday, fans are encouraged to visit the Gameday Guide at TexasTech.com.
