Residents across Rockland County and parts of New Jersey were startled Sunday afternoon when fighter jets were seen circling the region around 1:00 p.m., with many reporting multiple passes and low-altitude maneuvers. The unexpected sight led to speculation as the aircraft looped across several Rockland communities before heading south.
It was later confirmed that the jets were part of a scheduled pre-game flyover at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford for the 1:00 p.m. New York Jets–Miami Dolphins matchup. The F-18s executed a precisely timed pass over the stadium moments before kickoff as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service tribute honoring military personnel. Their flight path took them over Rockland County both en route to the venue and again after completing the performance, explaining the widespread visibility across the area.
