Local boy gets to be "Pilot for a Day"

Published Dec. 9, 2008
By Senior Airman Christine Collier
319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Andrew Allen is your typical 14-year-old boy. He likes video games and racquetball. He watches "Dirty Jobs," his favorite color is red and he likes airplanes. However, one startling difference between Andrew and most teenage boys is that Andrew has been living with Crohn's Disease since the age of 12.

Andrew, who at one point was undergoing four-hour long medical treatments every two weeks for his chronic disease, was given a welcome respite from his frequent doctor's visits when he had the opportunity to spend the day at Grand Forks Air Force Base as a participant in the base's "Pilot for a Day" program.

"It was a really awesome day," said Andrew. "It was great to be able to come out to the base and learn about the Air Force."

The "Pilot for a Day" program is a program offered at select bases Air Force-wide that gives medically-challenged youth in the community a chance to visit a base and become a part of their team. The participants are usually selected through a partnership with a community hospital.

"This program is meant to be a good experience for people who have to endure the hardships of medical issues," said Capt. Joseph Schmitt, GFAFB's "Pilot for a Day" liaison. "Kids who participate in the program may never have the opportunity to serve in the Air Force, but they at least get a hands-on opportunity to learn about what we do."

Andrew's trip to the base included everything from understanding the inner workings of the base operations group to a wrench-turning good time with the aircraft maintainers. At the end of the day was a stop at the KC-135 simulator.

"My favorite part of the day was flying the simulator," said Andrew. "That was a lot of fun. I did crash a couple of times, but I managed to take off and land OK."

In addition to seeing the aircraft and meeting the Airmen of the base, Andrew also was able to spend some time with the 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. John Michel. Colonel Michel presented the youngster with a 319th ARW coin, as well as a set of honorary pilot wings.

"Today, Andrew joined a special club," Colonel Michel said. "Not too many people have had the opportunity to see what Andrew has seen, but then again, not too many people have his kind of heart. He has taught us a valuable lesson - no matter what life deals you, you choose how to deal with life."

During the presentation ceremony, the colonel also emphasized Andrew's ability to cope with his disease.

"Heroes are people who muster the courage to persevere, to put a smile on their face and continue with the mission," Colonel Michel said. "Andrew is one of those heroes. I would like to thank Andrew for the courage he displays and for being a role model."
Andrew's trip to GFAFB was the first "Pilot for a Day" trip since the dormant program was revitalized earlier this year. However, Colonel Michel plans on many more visits in the future.

"This is a great program and just one of the ways we can tell our story to the surrounding communities," the colonel said. "We're going to continue to do things that give people outside the gate a chance to peek into the inside workings of Grand Forks Air Force Base."