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Coast Guard Buzzes Tampa In Advance Of Bucs Game

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By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 23, 2008

TAMPA - Palma Ceia residents got a jolt this morning when a pair of rescue helicopters and a C-130 plane zoomed past in preparation for a flyover at Sunday's Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.

The orange and white HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and long-range search-and-rescue plane were part of a contingent from Clearwater's U.S. Coast Guard Air Station.

Once or twice each football season, Coast Guard aircraft buzz Raymond James Stadium to thrill spectators.

This morning's rehearsal from 10 to 11 a.m. saw the aircraft make three passes over South Tampa at about 100 mph. The C-130 and helicopters flew in formation at about 1,000 feet.

The pilots were practicing their timing in order to arrive at the stadium right after the national anthem, Coast Guard helicopter pilot Lt. j.g. Dan Cathell said.

"When the national anthem starts, they have about two minutes," he said.

The Bucs play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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