NORFOLK, Va. -- U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 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. Cmdr. Adam Lauer, a native of Woodbridge, Virginia, is one of the aviators who participated in the flyover.
Lauer is a 2008 graduate of Gar-Field High School.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Woodbridge.
“Growing up, my parents had me play all kinds of sports, which helped build a strong work ethic early on,” Lauer said. “The biggest lessons that stuck with me were the importance of showing up on time, being selfless, and understanding that you're part of something bigger than yourself.”
Lauer joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Lauer serves as an aviator assigned to VFA 103, known as the “Jolly Rogers,” operating out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
“My dad served in the Marines for 20 years, and I grew up watching Navy football and admiring the military lifestyle,” Lauer said. “I wanted to attend the Naval Academy to earn a strong education and follow that with a life of service to my country.”
Lauer 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.
Lauer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Graduating from the Naval Academy was one of my proudest accomplishments — it marked the end of four years of intense hard work and dedication,” Lauer said. “More importantly, it was the start of an exciting and meaningful career in the Navy.”
Lauer serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Lauer can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means putting others before yourself and committing to a cause greater than your own,” Lauer said. “It also gives me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while serving my country.”
Lauer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’m grateful to my parents for giving me a solid foundation that’s helped carry me through life and my career,” Lauer added. “I also want to thank my wife for her strength and support through multiple deployments — we’re a team in every sense.”
Lt. Cmdr. Adam Lauer, a native of Woodbridge, Virginia, is one of the aviators who participated in the flyover.
Lauer is a 2008 graduate of Gar-Field High School.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Woodbridge.
“Growing up, my parents had me play all kinds of sports, which helped build a strong work ethic early on,” Lauer said. “The biggest lessons that stuck with me were the importance of showing up on time, being selfless, and understanding that you're part of something bigger than yourself.”
Lauer joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Lauer serves as an aviator assigned to VFA 103, known as the “Jolly Rogers,” operating out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
“My dad served in the Marines for 20 years, and I grew up watching Navy football and admiring the military lifestyle,” Lauer said. “I wanted to attend the Naval Academy to earn a strong education and follow that with a life of service to my country.”
Lauer 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.
Lauer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Graduating from the Naval Academy was one of my proudest accomplishments — it marked the end of four years of intense hard work and dedication,” Lauer said. “More importantly, it was the start of an exciting and meaningful career in the Navy.”
Lauer serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Lauer can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means putting others before yourself and committing to a cause greater than your own,” Lauer said. “It also gives me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while serving my country.”
Lauer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’m grateful to my parents for giving me a solid foundation that’s helped carry me through life and my career,” Lauer added. “I also want to thank my wife for her strength and support through multiple deployments — we’re a team in every sense.”