Travis helps local youth learn to fly Published Dec. 19, 2011 By Tyler Grimes 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Travis welcomed Kevin Irving to participate in the Pilot for a Day program Friday. Irving, 14, spent the day with Airmen touring the base and learning how to be an Air Force pilot. The Pilot for a Day program, in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, gives children diagnosed with catastrophic illnesses the chance to live out their dream of being a pilot in the world's greatest military, said Master Sgt. Corey Clewley, 60th Operations Group. Irving is the seventh child to participate in the program. "We work with David Grant Medical Center or the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring them on to Travis to complete part of their Make-A-Wish or just show them what we do here at Travis for a day," Clewley said. At the age of three, Irving was inspired to become a pilot after seeing the Blue Angels fly in San Francisco. Irving was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. Due to his illness, Irving's doctors informed him that becoming a pilot would not be very likely. Thanks to the Pilot for a Day program, Irving was able to see his dream come true at Travis. Irving's itinerary included a visit to the K-9 unit, a ride-along with security forces, a tour of the control tower, an aircraft visit, a lunch with Col. Dwight Sones, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander and being fitted for his own flight suit and helmet. The day's events culminated with Irving taking flight in both the KC-10 Extender and the C-17 Globemaster III simulators. Seeing an F-18 Hornet was his favorite part of the KC-10 simulation, Irving said. The simulator experience exceeded Irving's expectations. "Looks pretty fun to be in a fighter jet or a bomber, anything with wings," he said.