'Pilot for a Day' in action: How a ten-year-old became the wing's youngest special ops pilot

  • Published
  • By Jasmine DeNamur
  • 919th SOW Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  On the outside, Ethan Campbell seems just like an ordinary kid. Tall and thin with a full head of hair, the 10-year-old got the opportunity of a lifetime to become an honorary Air Force Reserve pilot for one day. But that ordinariness was shattered for some onlookers May 2, when he told his mom just before she and the wing commander were about to pin on his second lieutenant bars, "Don't poke me mom - I've been poked enough already." 

His heart wrenching response was a small glimpse into his world - a world consumed by a never-ending battle with leukemia. 

Proposed to the 919th Special Operations Wing by wing commander Col. Steven Chapman's wife, Janet, the Pilot for a Day program gives children suffering from life-threatening illnesses a break from medical treatments to experience a day-in-the-life of a pilot. 

"A friend of ours, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Michael Gjede, started the program, and I thought it was a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor, especially after meeting members of the wing," said Mrs. Chapman. "I knew this would be the perfect place to start up another Pilot for a Day program." 

Because there is are no local hospitals that work with pediatric patients with life-threatening illnesses, she had to explore other avenues to get the word out. 

"I called Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and was referred to a social worker at the Nemours Children's Clinic Oncology Department. She was very receptive to the idea and said she would notify me if a family was interested. Later that evening, I got a phone call from Ethan's mother." she said. 

Red carpet treatment was the motto of the day, and Ethan received just that. 

The soon-to-be lieutenant was greeted at the front gate by 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters and escorted on base in a parade of siren-screaming vehicles announcing his arrival. 

Upon arriving at the Headquarters Building, Ethan was presented with a customized flight suit donned with wing patches and his name tag, donated by the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce. Wing members then gathered to watch him repeat the Air Force Oath of Office to Colonel Chapman, where from then on he was referred to as 2nd Lt. Ethan Campbell. 

After taking his "official photo" he was transported once again in the siren brigade to the installation's fire department. Fire fighters gave him a tour of almost every specialized fire truck in their fleet and even let him knock down cones with water in a couple rounds of "fire fighter bowling." The all-star treatment continued as he was designated an honorary fire fighter with a customized fire hat and served a hearty barbecue meal with his new fire mates. 

His jammed-pack day did not end there. He was then off to Hurlburt Field to fly in an MC-130E Combat Talon I simulator in every imaginable flight condition. 

Ethan was astonished at how detailed the simulator was - he thought it would be like a video game, said Maj. Terry Lisenbee, 919th SOW public affairs officer.
Once he saw how realistic it was, he asked Maj. Doug Bartz, pilot and his escort for the day, to fly over his grandmother's home and his elementary school in Crestview, he said.
After his simulator ride, Ethan was taken back to Duke Field where this time he was greeted by security forces members and transported to the squadron building in an armored vehicle. Upon arrival, four members stood at attention and saluted the honorary "LT" as he walked into the building, with the rest of the squadron standing at attention as he walked inside their briefing room. 

Master Sgt. William Stapp, 919th Security Forces Squadron member, showed him a video slide-show of the squadron in action, as well as a weapons display encompassing almost every item in their inventory. 

"How many of your classmates can say they've held one of these before?" said Sergeant Stapp right as he gave Ethan an M-16 to hold. 

And just as the weapons display was ending, Sergeant Stapp received an 'urgent' message. 

"Ethan - I just got word that we're under attack from insurgents. We're going to go on a mission to take them out, and we want you to help," he said. 

Ethan, along with Sergeant Stapp and Tech. Sgt. James Parrish, donned combat gear and weapons and patrolled the outskirts of the building, stationing themselves behind a tree and an armored vehicle. As the three waited close to the ground, they could see 'insurgents' in a distant field peeking from behind trees and buildings. Once the enemies made their move, Ethan began to shoot (blank rounds) and the intruders dropped like flies. 

For his heroism, he was made an honorary security forces and Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element member. He was then escorted back out to the armored vehicle where security forces members lined up along the road and saluted him as he was driven toward the flight line for his final mission. 

After a quick tour of an MC-130E aircraft by Major Bartz, Ethan and his mother got to experience a taxi ride down the runway and back to the flight line. Upon exiting the aircraft, wing members gathered to give him a hero's welcome. 

"The reception from all the people throughout the day for this young child was very inspiring and the amount of support was phenomenal," said Mrs. Chapman. "I couldn't have wished for a more engaging and compassionate group of people to put this program together than the team at Duke Field." 

Ethan's day ended with a ceremony finalizing his true title - Col. Chapman presented him with his pilot's wings making him a pilot, not only for a day, but an honorary member of the wing for a lifetime. 

This young man felt extra special, and the team created the perfect atmosphere for him to enjoy being a child, said Mrs. Chapman. 

At the end of the day, Mrs. Chapman said that he exclaimed this experience "was better than Disney World."