Luke hosts pilot for a day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Janet Haliburton
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - --  Airmen from Luke helped make memories for an ailing child Nov. 5 at the 309th Fighter Squadron where he was the Pilot for a Day.

Seven year-old Owen Gauntt, who was diagnosed in February with Osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer, got to experience a day as a fighter pilot.

Owen's experience began when he met members of the 309th FS, received his flight suit, patches and scarf and his first coin from Lt. Col. Dave Lujan, 56th Operations Group deputy commander. Members of the 309th FS worked hard to make sure the day would be memorable for Owen and his father, Mike Gauntt. After a tour of the squadron, Owen and his father headed over to wing life support where he donned the parachute dissent simulator.

"He loved looking down at the ground as he landed in the parachute," Mr. Gauntt said.

From there, Owen and his father made their way to the F-16 simulator for some combat tactical training. Owen took off in his F-16, shot down 10 MiG-29s and landed like a pro, said Capt. Dave Zeytoonjian, 309th FS C flight commander,  who coordinated Owen's day. After he completed his maneuvers in the simulator, Owen headed to Club Thunderbolt for lunch and then on to meet with Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander.

According to his father, Owen loved his Luke 1 coin he received from General Jones the best.

From there he headed to the 309th FS life support where he tried on a flight helmet and harness.

One of the highlights for Owen was sitting in the cockpit of an F-16 with his name and call sign on it, "Cowboy," due to his sharp shooting in the simulator.

The Pilot for a Day program began in 1996 to give terminally ill or disabled children the opportunity to experience a day in the life of an F-16 fighter pilot.

"Today was phenomenal," said Mr. Gauntt. "He (Owen) doesn't smile much, but this is one of the days that he has smiled the most." At the end of his day as a fighter pilot Owen received a plaque, lithograph and a roaring farewell from the 309th FS.

"The Wild Ducks did a great job!" said Mr. Gauntt, "They sent him off the right way."