HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Luke Traughber found out firsthand Thursday what it's like to be an F-16 fighter pilot. But more important, he got a respite from a disease that has been his life for more than a year. The 11-year-old was one of nine Utah children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation who were treated to an interactive tour of the 388th Fighter Wing as part of Hill Air Force Base's "Pilot for a Day" program.
Traughber was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscles that are attached to the bones, more than a year ago.
Luke and the other "Wish Kids" spent their day with members of the fighter wing, flying the F-16 simulator, touring the air crew's flight equipment section and the pilots' locker room, viewing an F-16 static display, and attending an F-16 aerial demonstration by the Viper West Aerial Demonstration Team.
The day ended with a ceremony at which the children received a set of pilot wings from Col. Scott Long, commander of the 388th.
"Things like today have really helped with the whole nightmare of what we've been through," said Luke's mother, Lorraine.
"He can forget about doctors and nurses and things like that for a while. But it's also great for him to be able to interact with kids who are in the same position as he is and to know he's not alone."
Lorraine said her son's cancer is in remission, but he isn't out of the woods yet.
"He has to go in and get checked every three months, and he's had clear scans," she said. "But he won't be considered cancer-free for five years, so we're keeping our fingers crossed."
The Pilot-for-a-Day program is a private program with a charter at Hill Air Force Base. Its primary purpose is to assist children in the area who have severe illnesses and disabilities and life-threatening medical conditions.
Capt. Roberto Flammia, an F-16 pilot at Hill, helped organize the program and said the yearly event is a favorite among those involved from the base.
"Hopefully, this is a cornerstone of their childhood and something they can look back on many years from now," Flammia said of the participating youths.
Kit Johnson, an 18-year-old from Smithfield who had a dangerous melanoma on his neck, said he will indeed look back on the experience.
"I never really put much thought into the military or the Air Force until today," he said, "but this is definitely something I will remember. It's been an awesome experience."
Click here for more information on the Utah Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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