310th Fighter Squadron hosts 'Gunner'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Trevor "Gunner" Collins, 5, has battled cancer his entire life and is a huge fan of the military. His wish to shadow an F-16 fighter pilot before his next surgery Aug. 25 came true when he was a pilot-for-a-day July 29 at Luke Air Force Base.

The day began at the 310th Fighter Squadron where Trevor donned a flight suit and Lt. Col. Todd Murphy, 310th Fighter Squadron commander, gave him a coin and patches.
After touring the squadron, picking up life support gear and receiving a preflight brief, Trevor headed out to the flightline where his eyes lit up with joy.

"The best part of the day was walking up to the F-16, seeing my name on the side and getting to sit in the real thing," Trevor said. "I was also happy to meet 'Switch' and 'Sling Blade,' two of my Facebook friends from Luke."

Trevor and his family had lunch at Falcon Dunes Golf Course and then went to the simulators where Capt. David Welt, 310th FS pilot, gave him his first flying lesson.
Next, the group went up in the air traffic control tower and to the end-of-runway to watch jets take off and land.

Captain Welt said he enjoyed showing Trevor and his family what he does every day.
"I think the PFAD program is great because it gives children who suffer from severe illness, disease or disability, an opportunity to see the mission," he said. "The best part for me was seeing Trevor's face during the entire tour."

Trevor's god-father, Army Col. Lorenzo Valenzuela, set up a Facebook page called "Team Trevor Buffalo Warrior" that currently has more than 300 friends. Colonel Valenzuela is deployed to Afghanistan, but was able to take leave to be with Trevor during his PFAD tour.

"Trevor believes that military members and buffaloes have magical powers and they will help him win his battle with cancer," Colonel Valenzuela said. "Most of his Facebook friends are military members, both state-side and overseas."

To join Trevor's Facebook page, search Team Trevor Buffalo Warrior and click "like."