NORFOLK, Va. -- U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 conducted a flyover during the national anthem prior to the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic, where the Atlanta Braves took on the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.
Lt. Timothy Shelby, a native of Berwick, Louisiana, is one of the pilots who participated in the flyover.
Shelby is a 2014 graduate of Berwick High School. Prior to commissioning, Shelby earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management with a concentration in air traffic control from LeTourneau University.
 |
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John R. Farren |
Lt. Timothy Shelby, a native of Berwick, Louisiana, is one of the pilots who participated in the flyover.
Shelby is a 2014 graduate of Berwick High School. Prior to commissioning, Shelby earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management with a concentration in air traffic control from LeTourneau University.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Berwick.
“Growing up, I played a lot of team sports and being in the strike fighter community is just the same as that,” Shelby said. “From my 14 fellow pilots to all the maintainers, it’s a team effort to get the job done.”
Shelby joined the Navy six and a half years ago. Today, Shelby serves as a pilot assigned to VFA-81, known as the “Sunliners,” operating out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
“I joined the Navy to follow in the footsteps of my family’s long tradition of serving in the armed forces,” Shelby said. “I’ve always wanted to fly, so I chose a route to be able to do both, serve and fly.”
Shelby was part of the historic event, marking the first official National or American League baseball game to be played in the state of Tennessee, according to Major League Baseball officials. The flyover formation included the F/A-18 Super Hornet, a combat-ready strike fighter designed to face the advanced threats of the 21st Century, according to Navy officials.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Shelby has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of my squadron’s abilities during our last 2023-2024 deployment,” Shelby said. “We faced a lot of adversity, but we rose to the challenge.”
Shelby serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Shelby can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means commitment to something greater than myself,” Shelby said.
Shelby is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to thank my family and friends for their love and support throughout my journey thus far,” Shelby added.