SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Twenty Vincent junior ROTC upper class cadets soared high over the green hills of Alabama to participate in aerial refueling of six Alabama National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcons stationed at Dannly Field Alabama on Feb. 24, 2006.

Cadets flew with the 117th ANG Aerial Refueling Wing out of Birmingham Air National Guard Base.

After a short orientation briefing, cadets boarded a KC-135R aircraft and flew directly over Vincent and Harpersville enroute to a rendezvous with the F-16 fighters.

Within thirty minutes of take off six F-16s appeared off the wingtips of the KC-135R.

Cadets were allowed to view the refueling mission from the boom operators pod at the rear of the large four engine tanker plane.

Also, during the plane&8217;s take off and landing, cadets were allowed to sit directly behind the pilots and experience the sights and sounds of the cockpit.