‘Spidey’ becomes 61st pilot-for-day Published July 9, 2009 By Senior Airman Tong Duong Thunderbolt staff writer LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Out of the corner of his eye he spots a pair of pilots sauntering back toward the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Despite the sweltering Arizona heat, he seizes the opportunity and strides toward the duo. Within feet of his targets,"Spidey" reaches into his pocket and withdraws his shiny new coin to challenge the pilots. He received the coin during his reign as pilot-for-a-day June 29. Pilot-for-a-day Pedro Spidey Castro and his entourage, to include his father, Pedro Sr.; mother, Guadalupe; sisters, Janeth, Cynthia, Julisse, Yamilette; and brother, Jonathon, were given a grand tour of the 61st Fighter Squadron and many of the units that support the flying operations on base, by Capt. John Wilson, 56th Fighter Wing flying executive, and 1st Lt. Jose Leon, 62nd FS student pilot Named Spidey by his squadron mates because of his love for the popular comic book hero, he started the tour by stepping into his own flight suit, and was briefed on how a Luke pilot puts bombs on target. He also had the chance to view videos of pilots perfecting their trade. Following the brief, the group progressed to the life support section where Spidey donned the additional gear that is required to keep pilots safe. Family members also got to try on a pilot's helmet as well as night vision goggles. After playing dress up, the Castros were led to the flightline to be introduced to a Fighting Falcon bearing Spidey's name. Two 61st FS crew chiefs gave the family a quick overview of the inner workings of the jet. Following a midday break, they went to the network training center to see and try out a 360-degree full visual simulator. The Castros got a chance to fly together and against one another. The group traveled to the flightline to watch student pilots take off and land on the runway, then it was to the radar approach control tower to watch traffic controller work their magic. The last trip of the day was to meet Col. Hank Reed, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander, before returning to the 61st FS for final parting gifts and farewells. The family, who speaks Spanish, communicated through translator Lt. Col. Mike Torrealday, 61st Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, and explained that Spidey was born with prune belly syndrome, a condition where the abdominal wall and lining are not developed. According to the prune belly organization Web site, the incidence of prune belly syndrome is one in 40,000 births and 95 percent of cases occur in males. "Spidey had an operation at the Phoenix Children's Hospital where the surgeon tried to build up his abdominal lining," explained Mrs. Castro. "While under the knife, doctors discovered that my son had damaged kidneys." Having had a kidney transplant in October 2008, Spidey is okay for now but will need another transplant in two to three years, Colonel Torrealday translated. When asked what they thought of the day's tour, Mr. Castro expressed that his family was happy to be on base. "[Pedro Sr.] is very thankful and said what Spidey and his family got to do today was a privilege ... a special treatment, and he is extremely happy that his son got to experience that," Colonel Torrealday said. Lieutenant Leon, who is fluent in Spanish and a prior member of the 61st Fighter Squadron, said he was glad to help translate when asked by his old flight commander, Captain Wilson. "I was more than happy to help out when the opportunity presented itself," he said. "To get away from flying duties for a little bit and hang out with Spidey's family was awesome. As a reservist in the Air Force, being part of the community is important to us. To reach out and do this kind of thing is great." While F-16 Fighting Falcons continued to rumble overhead and as the day's tour drew to an end, Spidey reflected on his favorite part of the day -- the end of runway tour. "I liked when the pilots go and come back and land, plus [squadron members] gave me challenge coins, patches, a uniform and shirt," he said.