COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Stennis Miller, a nine-year-old from Starkville, Mississippi, and his family visited the base Feb. 3 as part of the “Pilot for a Day” program.
In partnership with the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, children with life-long illnesses get a chance to experience a day with the Air Force custom-tailored to their desires and capabilities.
After arriving at Columbus Air Force Base, Miller was greeted at the 48th Flying Training Squadron with roaring applause and cheers from students and instructor pilots. Col. Stan Lawrie, 14th Operations Group Commander, and Lt. Col. Charles Gilliam, 48th FTS Commander, presented Miller his very own flight suit and squadron patches to wear during his visit.
Miller and his family enjoyed many aspects of Columbus AFB such as displays of all three 14th FTW training aircraft, as well as an F-16 Falcon visiting from Nellis AFB, Nevada, a personalized tour of the fire department, time in the T-1 flight simulator, and lunch in the 48 FTS heritage room. Col. Douglas Gosney, 14th FTW Commander, presented him with a plaque of his hero shot and coin commemorating his time as the “Pilot for a Day.”
“Leading and organizing Pilot for a Day has been one of the most rewarding endeavors I've been a part of,” said 1st Lt. Ricardo Torres, the 14th FTW “Pilot for a Day” coordinator. “Sharing a small portion of the incredible opportunity we have each and every day, and imparting it with a child in need of hope makes you all the more grateful for what we do.”
If you know of a potential candidate for this program, contact Torres at 434-7642.