High schoolers across Indiana were able to receive unique insight into the Air National Guard during a first-of-its-kind aviation academy at the 122nd Fighter Wing.

The Legacy Flight Academy and Mission Aero Pipeline teamed up at the 122nd recently to educate young people about aviation and the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of nearly 1,000 black airmen who flew in combat missions in the 1940s.

The free event, called “Eyes on the Horizon,” is designed to show young women and minorities they have an opportunity in aviation.

“Only two percent of pilots are African American, only six percent are female and there are only 150 African American female pilots in the world,” said pilot Jennifer Ruth-Green. “Bring a part of that group, I want to be able to share with people that it’s a feasible opportunity for them and we want to be able to help people strive for that.”

Students normally get a chance to fly with a pilot, but inclement weather grounded the flights during the event.