Courtesy Image A map showing the route of a Michigan Air National Guard flyover planned for Tuesday.

ALPENA — The Michigan Air National Guard will conduct flyovers of nine Michigan communities on Tuesday as part of the U.S. Air Force’s commemoration of 100 years of aerial refueling excellence.

Tuesday’s flyovers will allow Northeast Michiganders to witness KC-135 Stratotankers fly in formation with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs over the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and downtown Alpena around 10:40 a.m.

The Stratotankers and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs will also fly over the following locations

* Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron, at approximately 10:20 a.m.

* Mackinac Bridge and Mackinaw City, at approximately 10:50 a.m.

* Sleeping Bear Dunes area near Maple City, at approximately 11:15 a.m.

* Downtown Grand Rapids, at approximately 11:45 a.m.

* Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and Battle Creek, at approximately 11:55 a.m.

* The Michigan state Capitol and downtown Lansing, at approximately 12:05 p.m.

* The Detroit River, at approximately 12:30 p.m.

* Selfridge Air National Guard Base, at approximately 12:35 p.m.

The Michigan KC-135s and A-10s are both based at Selfridge. Air Force refueling aircraft will fly similar flyovers around the country to mark the centennial.

Aerial refueling serves as a force multiplier, increasing the effectiveness of combat aircraft. Tankers also carry cargo and passengers, perform aeromedical evacuations, and enable strategic deterrence for the U.S.

Following the flyovers, those who captured pictures of the event are invited to share them to the 127th Wing’s Facebook page at facebook.com/127thWing or on the unit’s Instagram page @127Wing with the tag #SANGBTanker100. Ten people will be selected at random from among those who share photos and will be contacted by the 127th Wing via social media to receive a unit patch.