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One boy lived out his aviation dreams by becoming a pilot for the day with the 56th Fighter Wing at the Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Isaac "Axe-Man" Salinas from Make-A-Wish Arizona became a pilot for the day on Oct. 13 through a special program providing children from Make-A-Wish with a unique experience.
"Wishes wouldn't be able to come true without our partnerships like Luke AFB," said Sawyer Kilen, Make-a-Wish Arizona senior director. "It means so much to kids like Isaac to be able to come out and see behind the scenes of something he really enjoys."
Salinas was welcomed to the base and given a flight suit to represent his flight status for the day. He was given a guided tour of the 61st Fighter Squadron, including an up-close tour of the F-35A Lightning II with a chance to sit in the cockpit. He visited the Air Traffic Control Tower and was shown a special view of the flightline and the jets taking off. Salinas was taken to an F-16 Fighting Falcon training simulator immersion and a tour of the Aircrew Flight Equipment where he saw the technical aspects of pilot gear and safety equipment. Lunch was provided at Club 56, including interactions with base personnel before meeting with Col. Keagan McLeese, the 56th Fighter Wing deputy commander.
This special day was part of the Pilot for a Day program, which provides children from Make-A-Wish with an unforgettable experience and a break from their personal struggles. According to Air and Space Forces Magazine, the program began at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas with one pilot and spread to numerous other bases. While there may be some changes between the bases, the goal of the program is to give chronically ill children a day to get their minds off of their illnesses and experience the magic of being a pilot.
Then-Captain Rory Blackburn was visiting his wife at the hospital in 1994 when he saw many children whose lives were overtaken by illness, according to Air and Space Forces Magazine. He developed the idea to take the kids to the base for a day, away from the hospital and the plagues of chronic illness. While the medical ailments prevent many of the children from going on flights, they are still given the experience of a lifetime. What began as an idea at one base spread to at least half a dozen other bases across the U.S. and overseas.
For many sick children spending most of their time in a hospital, this program is a chance to experience something amazing and unlike anything else they will encounter. The partnership is a testament to the impact of community partnerships with organizations like Make-A-Wish and the importance of providing happy experiences to children like Isaac.
"Being at Luke and seeing everything up close has been amazing," Salinas said. "Sitting in the cockpit of the F-35A was one of the coolest parts."