Typically when Cpt. Michael Kirch gets into his Apache helicopter, it is to defend American forces.

But, recently he took to the skies for a different reason.

Every year, the National Football League hosts a military tribute month, Salute to Service as a chance to honor and thank those who defend the nation. This year, the Buffalo Bills teamed up with the 10th Mountain Division on Fort Drum, for a very special pregame event.

“I’d say that this was probably about two months in the making,” Kirch said of the call he got earlier in the fall. “From the time that it initially got sent down to my battalion and I got selected, until we reached Buffalo."

As part of the NFL's Salute to Service, the Buffalo Bills were looking for some help with a flyover.

“This was it was an amazing opportunity. I'm from Buffalo, so I'm a huge Bills fan,” Kirch added.

So, Kirch selected a team and got to work — spending those two months coordinating and practicing, a lot, because when it comes to a flyover, timing must be perfect.

“They requested that we reach what's called a time on target, a specific time to be over the stadium. Then we must plan in weather delays, all that stuff to reach that time. So, a little bit of pressure to make sure we hit that timeline,” Kirch said.

But on a November afternoon, the Buffalo Bills hosted the New York Jets, and all that practice did make perfect.

“As soon as we crested over the stadium threshold, like I could hear that, hear the cheers from the crowd. And that was just it was exhilarating,” Kirch said.

Emotions felt inside each one of the aircraft over head.

“Everyone out there, you have veterans playing in the NFL. You have people who are still actively serving that are at those games,” Sgt. Joe Seneca added.

Seneca was a crew chief for this special detail.

“Just to see, you know, 50,000 something odd people in the stadium all looking up, cheering — you don't really get that unless you're like a rock star or something. This is one of those few opportunities we get to experience it,” Seneca added.

But little do these soldiers realize the impact they had on those below.

"I literally like, tear up with pride,” Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins said. “It’s because of stuff like that. And flyovers take us there. They really do. It's a beautiful thing. I love it.”

“To know that we have the full support of the American people behind us for everything that we do. They are cheering us on day in day out. It's just some leave me speechless,” Kirch added.