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ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - John Austin survived infant
leukemia, seven surgeries, chemotherapy, respiratory failure and
dozens of blood transfusions. He can now add U.S. Air Force pilot to
that list.
Thanks to the 58th Airlift Squadron and the Altus
Air Force Base Pilot for a Day program, John spent the day exploring
airplanes, fire trucks and the base air traffic control tower.
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Two-year-old John Austin stands with members of the 58th Airlift
Squadron May 15, 2014. U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Keith Hackney of
the 58th coordinated with other squadrons on base to make John's day
full of excitement and adventure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff
Sgt. Nathanael Callon)
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John was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when
he was only four months old, and his parents were told that
he only had a 45 percent chance of surviving to age 5. He
completed his treatment in October, and the Austin family is
finally beginning to ease into normal life post-treatment. A
day full of adventure and exploration was just what they
needed.
“He's a typical two-and-a-half year old boy —
he gets into trouble, he's silly and funny, he loves planes
and dinosaurs, and it has just been really awesome,” said
John's mother, Kristy. “He's only been off treatment since
October, so this is a whole new world for us, just to have
him at home playing and being silly. So we're just really
excited to get to do normal things with him.”
The Austin
family, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, is the first
family to take part in the program, which recently restarted
after it fell to the wayside a couple of years ago.
The day began with an exclusive fire department convoy from
the front gate to the 58th headquarters, where John and his
mother rode in one of the big red fire engines from the 97th
Civil Engineer Squadron. At the 58th, John received his
standard-issue flight suit, donned with U.S. flag, 58th
patch, a personalized name patch and a set of colonel
insignia on his shoulders.
John earned his pilot
wings in a crowded auditorium. U.S. Air Force Col. Bill
Spangenthal, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, pinned them
on John's flight suit, and everyone in the room applauded
the newest and youngest pilot on base.
The family was
then off to the flightline, where John had the opportunity
to play in the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III cargo
aircraft, operate the controls of KC-135 Stratotanker
refueling aircraft boom and shoot water from fire trucks.
John also watched a military working dog demonstration. He
laughed and told the dog, “Good job,” as the dog latched
onto a bad guy's arm as he was trying to run away.
After naptime, John continued his tour, where he flew in the
C-17 simulator. U.S. Air Force Maj. Erick Brough copiloted
the simulator, pointed out Mount Rainier, Wash., from the
cockpit, and then flew the family over their home in
Oklahoma City.
The family was overwhelmed with the
support of everyone they met. John's father said that their
experience at Altus was what is characteristic of the Air
Force family — people caring for each other in a time of
need.
"It's nothing but a phone call and everybody
wants to be involved,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Keith
Hackney, who coordinated John's visit. “Everybody is willing
to drop what they're doing for a cause like this."
This was the first of hopefully many special Pilot for a Day
visits for children like John, said Hackney. The wing hopes
to host a family in need every quarter.
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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