Reporter soars with the Thunderbirds

(EDITOR'S NOTE — On the eve of the Thunder Over The Valley air show, reporter Kalea Hall flew with the Thunderbirds today. Her full report will be featured in Saturday's Vindicator.)

On this day, I flew with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in the Lockheed Martin F-16 - that's what my certificate says.

But I did more than fly: I soared below the clouds, through the clouds and above the clouds.

I conquered my fear of heights, as well as my fears of going upside down and into small spaces.

I did what most people will never have the chance of doing and it was, without a doubt, the best experience of my life.