Navy will wear new alternate uniforms during its annual rivalry game with Army that pull inspiration from the most utilized fighter jet in naval aviation, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
The centerpiece of the “Fly Navy” uniform is the hand-painted helmet that displays the jet flying through the clouds on one side and its plating on the other side alongside a U.S. Military aircraft roundel.
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The red, white and blue bars are replicated as a stripe down the center of the helmet, which also features a red facemask. Each helmet took three hours to paint, with a production time of six months for the entire team.
The helmet is complete with “Fly Navy” on the front bumper and three sets of gold wings on the back bumper, each of which symbolizes a unique and critical group within naval aviation, including a Navy Aviator, Naval Flight Officer and Naval Aircrew.
The aforementioned roundel – which adorns aircraft piloted by all branches of the military – can also been seen on the sleeves of the navy blue jersey, with the star and bars acting as a striping pattern. The bars run down the sides of the navy blue pants, as well.
On the upper left chest of the jersey is a patch for the Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, which encompasses 18 combat-ready squadrons based out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. The Eagle, Globe and Anchor – the official emblem and insignia of the Marine Corps – was placed on the left hip opposite of an Under Armour logo, meanwhile.
Lastly, the uniform will be worn with blue socks that include the roundel near the ankles and blue cleats with red, white and gold trim.
This year’s Army-Navy Game will take place at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Dec. 11. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on CBS.
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The Black Knights will also wear alternate uniforms, which honor the members of the Special Forces who deployed to Afghanistan in the weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Photos courtesy of @NavyFB on Twitter.