Joe Nichols took flight Thursday on a refueling mission with the 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard as he helped launch the 15th annual Country Thunder music festival in Florence.

The flight took up much of his day. He reported at 8:30 a.m. to be fitted for gear, including a flight suit, helmet, oxygen mask and G-suit. He then took simulator training to prepare for his trip, eventually spending an hour in the air.

Joe appeared that same evening on the opening-day bill at Country Thunder, which also featured Neal McCoy. Among the other acts who played the four-day festival this weekend were Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler, John Fogerty and Heartland.