An F-16C from the 113th Fighter Wing is readied for a training flight in the skies above the Sunrise Side.

The jet engines heard in the skies above the Sunrise Side belong to the 113^th Fighter Wing from Andrews Air Force Base and residents will be hearing those sounds of freedom until early next week.

The 113^th, known as the Capital Guardians at their home base in Washington D.C., are deployed at Alpena’s Combat Readiness Training Center and plan fly to sorties until they make their one hour flight home next Tuesday, July 24.

The Fighter Wing, some 500 members strong, was able to take full advantage of both Alpena’s CRTC as well as the bombing range near Grayling for their yearly deployment simulation.

Capt. Matt “Cooter” Morris, an F-16 pilot, told True North Radio that the capabilities surrounding Alpena’s facility enabled all of the departments within the Wing to train together as a team.

“The large amount of open air space, coupled with having our entire group here made for ideal training conditions”, Morris said.

The 113^th is an active National Guard Reserve unit and a member of the 121^st Fighter Squadron.