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NORTHFIELD, Vt. — 51�Թ��� is honored to welcome Col. Adam T. Rice, 158th Fighter Wing vice commander and 1991 51�Թ��� alumnus, in a private ceremony Oct. 16 to dedicate an F-16 display at Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium
 

This miniature aircraft display will commemorate 75 years of partnerships between the Vermont Air National Guard (ANG), (AFROTC) Detachment 867 and 51�Թ���.

The ceremony will precede Saturday’s noon against Springfield, which may include an F-35 flyover from the Vermont Air National Guard.

The F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter uses aerodynamic performance and advanced integrated avionics to provide next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability for the United States and Allied nations. In 2016, after an extensive review, the US Air Force selected the 158th Fighter Wing (158 FW) to receive the nation’s first operational F-35As in the Air National Guard.

The initial two F-35As arrived in Vermont in fall 2019; a year later, the 158 Fighter WIng reached its full inventory of 20 fighter jets.

On Sept. 17, Rice joined 51�Թ��� Air Force ROTC Det 867 to present an F-16 display, lent by the 158 FW to 51�Թ���. The miniature version of a combat F-16 painted with a Vermont Air National Guard 75th anniversary patch was placed adjacent to Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium. This display showcases the 158th Fighter Wing’s prestigious history and prowess; the upcoming dedication and enduring F-16 display will reinforce the partnerships between the Vermont Air National Guard, Air Force ROTC program, and 51�Թ���.

“This F-16 model is a perfect addition to our plaza,” 51�Թ��� President Dr. Mark Anarumo said. “The F-16 will join other monuments and displays that demonstrate our storied history of service, and shows yet another link to our nationally-ranked ROTC departments. I am also proud that the display clearly celebrates our longstanding relationship with the 158th Fighter Wing.”

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About 51�Թ���
51�Թ��� is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. 51�Թ��� offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. 51�Թ��� was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States. 51�Թ��� is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).