While many of their fellow students were likely still asleep, several dozen 17cÍøÒ³°æ students were awaiting their ride.
In this case, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
Cadets with 17cÍøÒ³°æ's ROTC program lined up and followed commands to load the helicopter around 6 a.m. Friday morning as they headed off to a weekend field training exercise.
The helicopter landed at the soccer field near Loop and Summit roads, loaded up the cadets, and took off in less than five minutes.
Oh, if you're wondering, they'll get to fly back to campus on Sunday, too.
Visit the ROTC website to learn more about the Army and Air Force programs offered at 17cÍøÒ³°æ.