6th ARS grants local child's wish

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristen Rohrer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 6th Air Refueling Squadron granted a local boy's wish by making him a "Pilot for a Day" in the United States Air Force.

Mitchell Louie, of San Carlos, Calif., who is battling Gliolastoma Spinal Cancer, got the chance to become a KC-10 Extender pilot Monday as part of the Pilot for a Day program.

The 15-year-old, accompanied by his parents David and Ronda, and his brother Adam, began the day by getting fitted for a flight suit and being presented with the squadron's patches, scarf, dog tags, flight wings and the squadron coin presented by Lt. Col. Jim Craft, 6th ARS commander.

He was then given his "mission briefing" before setting out to experience his day as a pilot.

His first stop was a tour of the Air Traffic Control Tower, where he was greeted by Col. G.I. Tuck, 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, and presented with the 60th AMW coin and scarf.

"Watching the planes take off was my favorite part of the day," Mitchell said.

He then refueled his favorite fighters in the KC-10 Boom Operator Trainer simulator. The BOT allows boom operators to realistically practice refueling other aircraft while in flight without actually leaving the ground.

The KC-10 Simulator flight was next and there Mitchell put his newly acquired flight wings to the test.

After a smooth takeoff, Mitchell continued on to San Francisco where he successfully did what many pilots would never try: flying under the Golden Gate Bridge. He then headed to Hawaii for a quick spin around Diamond Head, one of the most famous volcanic craters in the world.

"I liked the simulator, it's pretty realistic," Mitchell said.

After that, it was back to Travis for lunch and a tour of a KC-10 static display.

"We've gone through what a typical day is for someone in the Air Force, to be at the forefront is amazing," Mr. Louie said of the family's first visit to Travis.

"We couldn't ask for anything more, the day just kept getting better," said Mrs. Louie. "It is incredible, this is a dream come true for our family." 

Travis' "Pilot for a Day" program offers deserving local area children a chance to experience a typical day as a USAF Pilot with the 60th Air Mobility Wing.

"Being in the Air Force, we're part of the community," said Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Nelson, 60th Operations Group. "Just like we have volunteers for Habitat for Humanity or anything else, we have people ready to volunteer for Pilot for a Day. There's never a reason or excuse not to do it. The question is always what can we do."

The "Pilot for a Day" program originated at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas in 1994. Initiated by Capt. Rory "Ox" Blackburn, the goals were to offer children with catastrophic illnesses a chance to experience a typical day as a USAF pilot.