CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Since 1997, Charleston AFB airlift squadrons have hosted the Pilot for a Day program in coordination with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Medical University of South Carolina for children with life-threatening diseases.
Due to current operations tempo and deployments, Charleston had been unable to host a program event since 2007, but Nov. 24, Team Charleston welcomed its newest honorary pilot to visit the base in more than two years.
The child honored was Samuel Jones, a three-year-old who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. Samuel is the son of Mrs. Mariah Jones and recently retired Master Sgt. Ronald Jones, 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron's fuels management flight.
In support of the Year of the Air Force Family, this most recent event was planned with the help of the 437th Medical Group to honor the child of an Air Force member and was hosted by the 16th Airlift Squadron.
The Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force named July 2009 to July 2010, Year of the Air Force Family. The initiative is used to emphasize the many successful programs already in place and to inform Airmen and their families of the development of new programs, unveiling them throughout the year. This event is one way Team Charleston is working toward that goal.
Capt. Kate Bufton, 437th Airlift Wing deputy chief of protocol, led the coordination for the day's events for Sam, his parents and older brother, Nick, 7.
Sam, "Col. Jones," arrived in the morning with colonel rank insignias sewn onto his miniature Air Battle Uniform. He started the day off by "killing the bad guys" and rolling multiple times in the C-17 flight simulator, followed by a visit the 437th Civil Engineer Squadron's fire station.
"Would you like to drive?" asked one of the firefighters.
No words were replied, but Sam's little legs sprinting to the driver's seat said it all.
The firefighters drove Sam and his family around in the fire truck, stopped to spray the hose and escorted them to a C-17 on the flightline.
After he explored the cockpit, jumped out of the back of the C-17 and raced from one end of the plane to the other, Sam got some unexpected visitors: Col. John Wood, 437th Airlift Wing commander and the wing's new vice commander, Col. Brian Robinson.
"He was an absolute delight to meet and interact with," said Colonel Wood. "Our Pilot for a Day program works because all of us care. Without question, the best part of my day was saluting our honorary pilot."
The entire day was about Sam and his family and concluded with the 16 AS hosting the Jones family for lunch at the Wrenwoods Golf Course.
Lt. Col. Christopher Mann, 16 AS commander, presented Sam with a C-17 wing tip, plaque and poster signed by 16 AS members to commemorate his day with Team Charleston.
"Nick went around telling everyone how many times he went upside down in the sim," said Captain Bufton, summing up the day. "Sam didn't stop talking about the flashing lights and spraying the water from the fire truck. They loved the static and Sergeant and Mrs. Jones were just amazed that the wing commander and vice wing commander were able to take time out of their day to meet little 'Colonel Jones.'"
Sam's father, Sergeant Jones, said he was grateful for all the time and energy that went into planning the event, extending his thanks and appreciation.
"Thank-you to Team Charleston for the help and support in making my son's wish come true," he said.