Archer hits bulls-eye with Tophats

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 310th Fighter Squadron graduated its six pilots Saturday. But before they could have their big day, another Tophat had his.

Aron "Archer" Olivares, 9, joined the Tophats July 31, as their honorary pilot for a day. Capt. Michael McGrew, 310th FS instructor pilot, showed Aron, his mother, father and two sisters around Luke Air Force Base.

The day started by meeting the squadron's staff. They gave Archer his first lesson in being a fighter pilot by presenting him with the squadron's coin, unit patches and with a blue and white scarf that pilots in the past wore on missions.

Archer then received the suit he would need to shoot down his first bogey.

"He was really excited with the suit that he got," said Veronica Olivares, Aron's mother, referring to his flight suit. "He kept asking, 'Am I going to get to keep it?' It was funny."

After loading up his flight suit with all of his patches, Archer headed out to see his F-16.

"Walking into the jet was awesome because it had my special name on it," Archer said, talking about his call sign.

Staff Sgt. Jason Rowe, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief, met the family by Archer's jet. After a salute Aron got to see where Capt. McGrew works. Archer received his education in the cockpit while his family learned more about the Fighting-Falcon.

The family then recharged their batteries at lunch and headed to the simulator.

Archer loves his Xbox and Wii and his favorite game is Halo but said the simulator was not like anything he has played before.

"The sim was not like a video game, it was hard," he said.

His father thinks those video game skills gave Archer an unfair advantage.

"Competing against him was a little hard because I've never played video games," said Francisco Olivares. "Just to be with him playing a game he enjoys made him feel good knowing he was going to get dad."

And get dad he did. As his call sign suggests, Archer's missile hit its target and scored the first and only take-down of the day. The rest of the family watched and listened from the control room as the dogfight continued.

"It was exciting," Mrs. Olivares said. "It was funny to hear some of the things he was saying. At times he was singing."

The family then met with Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander, and Archer received the commander's coin. This coin made it so no one could present a Luke Air Force Base challenge coin more impressive than what he had. Archer said he most enjoyed flashing the coins he received throughout.

After regrouping back at the 310th, Archer's adventure came to a close. His injury could not stop him and his family from enjoying the fast-paced day.

Archer had a lawn mower accident when he was 18-months old that cut off the growth plate in his left leg. He needs surgery every three years to make the leg grow as fast as his right leg. The accident also cost him part of his left foot.

"The best part was watching Aron through each surprise," Mrs. Olivares said. "It was his smile. It was enough just seeing his reaction and how happy he was, especially when he was sitting in the F-16."

"Archer's visit showed everyone in the squadron just how inspiring our mission really is, especially to those who don't get to do this every day," Capt. McGrew said. "The day brought back memories of the first time I saw fighter aircraft when I was young and how excited I was. It was great to see Aron have the same reaction."

"It means a lot that the military takes time and brings kids through this," Mr. Olivares said. "To do this, open their eyes and make them forget about their handicap for a little while, is great."