Pilot for a day: 10 year old becomes Travis Airman through Make-A-Wish

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn Brown
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  AJ Calisi is not your average 10-year-old.

He has an infatuation with movies from before his time, such as The Goonies, Ghostbusters and Stand by Me. His favorite dishes include salmon and grilled vegetables. He loves magic tricks, but nothing rivals his fascination with those that serve in uniform as first responders.

AJ Calisi has also endured chemotherapy treatments every day for one-third of his life. At 6-years-old he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. After his diagnosis, in February 2010, his treatment journey continued one day at a time for the next 3.5 years.

It's no surprise that AJ exhibits a maturity beyond his years, said Elizabeth Calisi, his mother.

On Jan. 31, AJ Calisi was able to spend the day as an honorary pilot through the Make-A-Wish foundation and Travis Pilot for a Day program.

"This experience provided so much for both AJ and myself," Elizabeth Calisi said. "He was able to live out a day full of the scenarios he imagines and fantasizes about."

He entered the gates of Travis as a shot-gun passenger in a massive fire truck. While riding in the fire truck, AJ Calisi and the firemen received an alert of an aircraft fire that required immediate response. With the help of Kevin Bouillon, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, AJ Calisi successfully extinguished the fire enveloping the aircraft.

After a tour of the fire station, it was time for AJ Calisi to learn his role as aircraft commander and his mission for the day.

Members of the 21st Airlift Squadron ensured their aircraft commander was fitted in a flight-suit and equipped with an embroidered helmet bag filled with a fitted helmet, mask and additional gifts.

"Seeing AJ's face when he saw his flight suit and found his flight bag and helmet was the coolest part of the day for me," Elizabeth Calisi said.

Adorned in his new flight suit, the Morgan Hill native learned in his pre-flight brief he would fly a C-17 Globemaster III from Travis to Honolulu, Hawaii. Co-pilot Capt. Matthew Tarnowski and loadmaster Airman 1st Class Kevin Kerr would accompany him on the mission.

"Every pilot needs a call sign," Col. David Mott, 60th Operations Group commander said to AJ Calisi. "I've been thinking about a call sign for you and I think ACAL would be fitting."

Just as the pre-flight brief wrapped up, an OSI agent arrived and flashed her badge.

"AJ Calisi you are required for urgent business," the agent said. "You'll need to come with me."

He was transported in an undercover vehicle with armed escorts to the base commander and command chief for lunch.

Col. Corey Martin, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, was privy to AJ Calisi's infatuation with magic tricks. At the end of their lunch instead of the usual coining protocol, Martin made the coin magically disappear before handing it over to the surprised 10-year-old pilot.

From the Sierra Inn dining facility, AJ Calisi toured the Travis air traffic control tower. Once the tower was within view, he quickly piped up.

"Can we go on the catwalk?" he said. "Catwalks are my favorite."

After AJ Calisi observed the aerial view of his aircraft, the Travis flightline and the surrounding landscape, it was time for him to inspect the C-17 he was scheduled to fly, with more than 2,500 pounds of cargo in his responsibility.

"Being in the cock pit was my favorite," AJ Calisi said. "There's so much cool stuff."

Following the inspection of his aircraft, AJ Calisi headed over to the C-17 simulator to fly his highly-classified mission. In the simulator, he piloted the aircraft over the Golden Gate Bridge and even maneuvered around a volcano.

"I thought it would be like a video game, but it seemed so real," he said. "It was difficult."

For AJ Calisi, he said his whole day was awesome. His big takeaways were the C-17 flight deck, the flight helmet he received and the unique coin given to him by Lt. Col. Thad Middleton, 9th Air Refueling Squadron commander.

"He's a leader," Elizabeth Calisi said. "Through Pilot for a Day he got to lead with the finest group of men and women we have ever had the honor of being near. It was a magical day on many levels."