Pilot for day visits 56th Training Squadron

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Iannaggi
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) --  A 6-year-old quadriplegic became a pilot for a day Feb. 26 at Luke Air Force Base.

Brandon "Hulk" Davis, visited Luke AFB with his mother, Tina Davis; aunt, Jess Davis; future uncle, Chris and his home nurse, Emmy.

Brandon was selected to participate in the pilot for a day program at Luke after he was involved in a car accident about a year ago that left him paralyzed.

"He remembers what it is like to walk and wishes he could again," Mrs. Davis said. "He does have some dexterity with fingers on each hand, but his doctors don't have any hope for further recovery."

The day began at the 56th Training Squadron where Brandon met Col. Doyle Turner, the 56th Training Squadron commander, and was given a flight suit, name patch and coins.

The family toured the squadron and was given a briefing by Maj. Bryan Unks, a 56th TRS instructor pilot, where they learned the basics about being a pilot.

Brandon tried on life support gear at the 61st Fighter Squadron and headed out to the flightline to sit in an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"Because of his condition, Brandon wasn't able to fully participate in a lot of the activities," Mrs. Davis said. "I was really happy the he could actually sit up in the F-16 because that was the one thing he really wanted to do."

After lunch, Major Unks showed Brandon and his family the flight simulators and a live military working dog demonstration.

"I basically liked everything," Brandon said. "I enjoyed seeing the rattlesnakes and seeing my name on the F-16. It was really cool seeing the military working dogs beat up the bad guy at the softball fields."

Major Unks said leading this pilot for a day tour was one of the most rewarding experiences he has had in the Air Force.

"The whole day exceeded my expectations, because I was unsure of what he could actually do," he said. "Seeing his excitement was awesome considering all the obstacles he had to overcome this past year."