311th AS makes local boy pilot for day

Published Feb. 1, 2007
By Senior Airman Jessica Switzer
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- On a recent bright and chilly January morning, a Peterson Air Force Base unit helped bring an ailing child's dream to life.

Fourteen-year-old Zachery Olsen was born with a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on his nerves. When he was diagnosed four years ago with neurofibromatosis, he became eligible for a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but it wasn't until about six months ago that his family decided to nominate Zachery for a wish.

"We called to nominate my nephew for a wish," said Michele Olsen, Zachery's mother. "Then we thought 'well why not' and called to nominate Zachery too."

Zachery's wish was to become a pilot.

"He really likes planes and just loves to go fast," Mrs. Olsen said. "It was really no surprise his wish was to be a pilot."

After six months of waiting and working with a wish granter to set up his wish, a date was set; Jan. 19.

Members of the 311th Airlift Squadron here, which has participated in granting wishes to sick children in the past, worked to make sure the day would be memorable for the young man.

"We really wanted to make this a great day for Zachery," said Capt. Sean Howlett, 311th AS pilot and event organizer. "So we set up a day he will remember for the rest of his life."

Putting the day together for Zachery was no easy task, but with the eager support of other agencies on base it became that much easier to bring this wish to life.

"It takes a lot of work to put on one of these events," he said. "There is a lot of coordination that has to be done. But everyone I called, from the 302nd [Airlift Wing] to the [21st Space] Wing and everyone else just jumped on board to help us out. They've been great."

The day began when Zachery and his family arrived at the 311th AS. There, Zachery learned what kinds of things pilots have to take into account when planning a mission. Once he knew how to do that, he went to the air traffic control tower to see how a pilot works together with the controllers in the tower to successfully complete a flight.

Then Zachery got a tour of a 302nd AW C-130, learning about the aircraft's controls and cargo capability. Members of the 731st Airlift Squadron presented Zachery with a variety of patches and other gifts including a photo signed by members of the squadron.

After the C-130 tour it was off to Aerospace Physiology where Zachery learned about common problems pilots may face when flying at altitude and how to recognize them. In the altitude chamber he got to try out a pilot's helmet and oxygen mask.

After lunch he learned about the 311th AS C-21A and took a flight in a Civil Air Patrol plane, earning him his wings and a certificate from the 311th AS making him an honorary pilot.

"He was so excited for this," Mrs. Olsen said. "He didn't sleep at all last night. We're so grateful for everything we got to do today. It's really made Zachery happy."

Making a sick child happy was what it was all about for the Airmen involved.

"It gives us a great sense of pride to be able to give something back," Captain Howlett said. "I've wanted to be a pilot since I was probably in the fifth grade and I got to live my dream. To be able to let someone like Zachery have the opportunity, just for a day, to see what I get to do for a living is just a great opportunity. It's a great joy to see him happy."

When the day of learning what it takes to be a pilot for the greatest air force in the world was finished, Zachery headed home with his wish fulfilled and an armful of memorabilia from his day as a pilot, thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation and the 311th Airlift Squadron.

Comment on this story