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Barksdale pilots support Pilot-For-A-Day Program

  • Published
  • By Carla Pampe
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
Pilots with Barksdale's 2d Bomb Wing are able to sharpen their flying skills while brightening the lives of seriously ill children by supporting Naval Air Station Corpus Christi's Pilot-For-A-Day program.

"Mr. George Ruiz, the Pilot-For-A-Day director, contacted 2d Bomb Wing scheduling in the fall of 2008 regarding the program," said Capt. Tim Miller, 2d Operations Support Squadron. "The 2d Bomb Wing leadership agreed to support the Pilot-For-A-Day program on a non-interference basis with a B-52 low approach to the NAS Corpus Christi airfield. Our aircrew gets great training with off-station approach practice as well as supports the local community."

Air Force Capt. Tim Robinson, Training Squadron 35 Flight Leader at NAS CC, said, "Children in the Pilot-For-A-Day program have been treated or are patients at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas."

"The Pilot-For-A-Day program has been going strong since 2001," Captain Robinson said, "and with the addition of a U.S. Air Force T-1 fly-in from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and a B-52 fly-over, Pilot-For-A-Day continues to get better for the kids that visit our base. A (child) has an awesome schedule of events geared towards making them feel like a real pilot."

So far, NAS CC has hosted more than 105 children from Driscoll Children's Hospital.

Captain Miller said participating in the program benefits members of the 2d Bomb Wing in more than one way.

"This program allows us to give hope and encouragement to an ill child and their family who has had a pretty tough life so far," he said. "NAS Corpus Christi is close to our normal training areas and air refueling tracks. The flight planning and off-base approach practice is invaluable to our aircrew members."

Members of the 20th Bomb Squadron here recently flew a training mission to NAS CC that allowed them to do several passes over the Air Station for 11-year-old Eric Davis, who was participating in the Pilot-For-A-Day program.

"At the beginning of the day the child gets to pick out their personal callsign," Captain Miller said. "Eric chose the callsign 'Skull' - the same as the 20th BS aircraft's callsign. The B-52 low approach was the highlight of Skull's day."

He added that members of the 2d Bomb Wing are really excited about continued support for the program.

"When our schedule allows, we support this event each month," Captain Miller said. "The squadrons enthusiastically support the program by sending squadron t-shirts, hats, coins and other memorabilia in addition to the low approach, to help make the child's day that much more memorable."