Meet the pilot behind Chiefs opener flyover featuring B-2 Stealth Bomber

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Chiefs season opener against the Baltimore Ravens will include a flyover with a lifelong Chiefs fan in the pilot seat.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Yanez grew up watching the Chiefs and he’s been to his fair share of games at Arrowhead Stadium, but Thursday night he’ll get a view of Chiefs Kingdom like no other – from above.

“I definitely will be looking out the window down at Arrowhead as I’m flying over,” said Yanez, who is also the Commander of the 13th Bomb Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base.

He’ll be flying a B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber.

“It’s a huge privilege to fly this plane that is a true national asset unmatched by any other adversary plane that’s out there,” he said.

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It’s one of the smoothest air marvels Yanez has ever flown. The flyover will be Yanez’s second in his 19 years of service. His first flyover was the Rose Bowl in 2015.

“The more hours you get in the aircraft, the more comfortable you get,” Yanez said.

Like any good team, Yanez and his co-pilot start preparations hours in advance. Their pre-takeoff routine includes suiting up and testing their breathing equipment. They also get a weather update and debrief of their flight plan.

Thirty minutes before the game the aircraft sits in a holding pattern over Lee’s Summit. The team is in constant communication with another pilot on the ground and a Chiefs coordinator to make sure he hits his mark at the exact time.

The target is the 50-yard line on the last note of the National Anthem. A task, in front of Thursday night’s crowd, Yanez admits, will be stressful.

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“It’s high stakes so you want to deliver, to be on time, on target because you know all your family and friends are watching,” Yanez said. “Everybody on the field is watching.”

What many don’t realize is the team’s mission continues for another two to three hours after the flyover. Yanez and his co-pilot will conduct high-altitude bombing training and simulations so they can be ready at a moment’s notice should something serious warrant a B-2 response.

“So, unfortunately, after I do this flyover, I’m not going to be able to fly back to Whiteman and watch the rest of the game,” Yanez said with a smile.

Whether it’s pride for the Chiefs or for country, Yanez said it’s an honor to be in his position.

“[It’s] real special,” added. “I don’t take it for granted.”

Whiteman Air Force base is the only base in the country equipped with the B-2 Stealth Bomber. Each aircraft costs around $2.2 billion.

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