Northside High School Air Force JROTC cadets recently had the opportunity to fly on an HC-130J search-and-rescue plane out of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.

Twenty-seven cadets climbed aboard the aircraft as many experienced their first flight ever.

Cadets were provided safety briefings and given instructions on the aircraft mission, and flight plan. Aircrew members explained their jobs and the impact they have with homeland security. A question-and-answer session allowed the cadets to discover if they might one day choose careers in the Coast Guard.

Before returning to the air station, the command pilot aboard the HC-130J flew the aircraft in the direction of Yeatesville, allowing the students to view their school from the air.

A highlight of the day came when the pilot allowed rotation inside the cockpit of the aircraft.