TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FLa. – Ask a young child what he wants to be when he grows up, and you usually get responses like a teacher, a police officer, a fire fighter, a doctor, or even a pilot. But when a child responds with, ‘I want to grow up with my mom at my side,’ you know he is a child whose family bonds grow extremely deep.
Bay Haven Charter Academy’s Jordan Shuman became a “Pilot for the Day” here Friday, just exactly as he wanted – with his mom, Tanya, at his side. Tanya is battling an invasive form of melanoma and is undergoing clinical trials at Moffett Cancer Center in Tampa after being diagnosed in September 2009.
Joining the mother-and-son duo was Jordan’s father, Chris, a criminal investigator with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, his step sister, Ashley, and grandmother, Brenda. When Chris heard about the “Pilot for the Day” program, he jumped at the opportunity to surprise his 9-year-old son with a trip to the Air Force base.
“The First Air Force Public Affairs office called me after learning about Tanya’s diagnosis and offered to host Jordan and my family for a day of pure fun,” said Chris. “It was a complete surprise to Jordan – just seeing the look on his face when arrived at the base was worth keeping it a secret from him!”
Jordan and his family headed to the 95th Fighter Squadron, home of Tyndall’s F-15 Eagles. Here, the ‘Boneheads’ (as they are proudly called -- their mascot is a skeleton in a top hat!) treated Jordan and his mom to a ‘ride’ in an F-15 flight simulator. Lt. Col. Chris Morton was their flight instructor and gave them the opportunity to fly a mission over land and water. Said Chris, “I’ve seen some pretty cool video games in my day, but this one by far is the most amazing!” To which Jordan replied, “Hey Dad, can we get one of these for our house?”
Jordan, who is better known to his Southport Bulldog football teammates as “Rocket” due to his speed on the gridiron, then visited the 325th Operations Support Squadron, where he had the opportunity to try out “hanging harness” equipment, which simulates what pilots experience in the event they need to eject from the jet. He also received a kid-size flight suit, complete with a patch emblazoned with his football nickname.
Staff Sgt. Adrian Williams, an aircrew flight equipment technician, oversaw Rocket’s harness demonstration and gave him the chance to try out a pair of night vision goggles. The 4th grader dangled from the harness with a giant smile on his face as his parents looked on with similar smiles.
With his feet planted firmly back on the ground, the newly-trained junior pilot and his wingmen traveled to the 43rd Fighter Squadron, where they were met by Capt. Scott “Omar” Bradley and Capt. Michael “Slim” Palik, both F-22 Raptor instructor pilots. Rocket was given the unique opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the F-22 while Captain Palik pointed out the state-of-the-art equipment and capabilities of the jet. Later in the afternoon, 43rd FS commander Lt. Col. Derek France presented Rocket with several mementos, patches and coins and thanked his family for taking the time to visit the squadron.
After having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become an honorary member of the Raptors, the group made its final stop at the 325th OSS Control Tower. Tech. Sgt. Michael Sweeney and Airman 1st Class Mario Ontiveros, two of the tower’s air traffic controllers, took the group 136 feet above Tyndall’s flight line for an incredible 360-degree view that stretched for miles.
The air traffic controllers gave Rocket the chance to wear controller headsets that are used to monitor pilot and controller transmissions, made him an ‘Honorary Controller’ and presented him with an official Air Traffic Controller badge.
“I am the coolest kid now!” quipped Jordan.
Chris’ boss, Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen and BCSO’s operations officer Maj. Tommy Ford, made the trip to the base. The sheriff understands first-hand the challenges families face during times like these.
“What Tanya is going through has the same effect on me as if she were an actual blood relative of mine,” said Sheriff McKeithen. “The law enforcement community is extremely tight, and we take care of our own because they are family. I stay motivated when I see Tanya’s strength – she keeps a positive attitude and remains focused on her responsibilities as a wife and a mother, and continues to be a beautiful and strong person, no matter what she is facing.”
According to Chris, the Sheriff’s Office has gone above and beyond what the Shumans ever expected from an employer.
“We wouldn’t have made it as far as we have without the incredible caring support – both financially and spiritually – we’ve gotten from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office,” said Chris. “I simply cannot thank Sheriff McKeithen and my fellow deputies enough for the outpouring of love we’ve received. It is an organization that truly stands by its families through thick and thin.”
The goal of the “Pilot for a Day” program is to benefit children and their families who are have been diagnosed with catastrophic illnesses. For many children or family members who are facing fatal diseases, the program can be a significant part of recovery and coping with the diagnosis.
“The bottom line of this program is to offer a positive experience for the child and to give him the chance to take his mind off the constant reminder of the medical situation that has afflicted his family,” said Captain Bradley. “If we achieve that goal and we are able to brighten the life of a young boy like Rocket, then it makes for a very good day for me as a fighter pilot. It also gives me reason to go home at the end of the day and hug my family very tightly and count my blessings.”