A flight to remember

Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets react to the starting of engines of a KC-135R Stratotanker on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 12, 2012. For recruiting purposes selected cadets from all over N.C. receive an hour and a half incentive flight courtesy of the 916th Air Refueling Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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A flight to remember

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Steuart reviews the settings of a boom pod on a KC-135R Stratotanker while in flight over Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. April 12, 2012. As a boom operator, Steuart is responsible for refueling aircraft while airborne. Stuart, 77th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, is a native of Raleigh, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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A flight to remember

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Steuart (center) speaks with Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets prior to take-off on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 12, 2012. As part of a program the 916th Air Refueling Wing offers, cadets are given an opportunity to see first-hand how pilots and boom operators complete their mission. Steuart, 77th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, is a native of Raleigh, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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A flight to remember

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nicholas Hayes (left) and 2nd Lt. Chad Olson prepare a KC-135R Stratotanker for flight on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 12, 2012. Pre-flight inspections consist of checking avionics, hydraulics, and fuel levels. Hayes, 77th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R pilot, is from Roanoke, Va. Olson, 77th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R pilot, hails from Memphis, Tenn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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A flight to remember

Published April 17, 2012
By Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- 4/13/2012 -- SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - Twenty-eight cadets received a unique treat, they were able to view North Carolina from the boom of a KC-135R Stratotanker April 12.

Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from North Henderson High School, East Henderson High School, North Davidson High School, North Surry High School and Maiden High School, flew with the 916th Air Refueling Wing.

Each year from September to May, high school and college ROTC cadets are able to experience Air Force Reserve operations as a part of the 916th ARW's ROTC/JROTC Incentive Flight Program. This opportunity gave cadets a chance to observe how boom operators and pilots complete their mission.

"The 916th ARW is committed to educating tomorrow's future Airmen," said Maj. Shannon Mann, 916th ARW public affairs officer. "By allowing these young cadets a glimpse at what we do on a daily basis we hope to not only influence their decision to join the Air Force or Air Force Reserve, but we also hope to show them how the core values are a part of our everyday lives and how they can take these back to their schools to be better students and leaders."