F-16 pilots welcome 'Pilot for a Day'

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  • By Hilltop Times staff
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The 421st Fighter Squadron added Collin "Upgrade" Rowley as an honorary "Pilot for a Day" to its band of pilots for the afternoon on July 12.

The 16-year-old, wearing a flight suit, patch and dog tags, joined escort Capt. John "Tuff" Loveman for a briefing on F-16 capabilities. Collin asked questions about g-forces, and listened intently to some of the technical details about the aircraft's missiles, radar and historical background.

Upon learning that Collin's treatment options for metastatic medulloblastoma, a fatal brain tumor, had become limited, Collin's father, Greg Rowley, then contacted Hill AFB and asked if the aspiring young pilot, might get a chance to tour the F-16s maybe even catching a flight.

The 421st Fighter Squadron enthusiastically responded to the request, once it was approved.

Lt. Col. David "Baja" Shoemaker, 421st FS commander, said the day's events were an extension of the good community relationships the 388th Fighter Wing maintains but that more importantly, "It is the right thing to do."

The new commander of the 421st FS said this was the first time he had a chance to see his pilots in this type of a setting.

"It's pretty cool," he said. "When we're up there and we're off each other's wing you've got to know that guy who's checking your six."

He said the chance to interact as a group of pilots in such a setting adds to the trust the squadron pilots have of each other.

As the pilots good naturedly welcomed the young man into their midst, the events expanded into taking a visit to an F-16 flight simulator, static display and demonstrations of Survival, Evade, Resist and Escape techniques, and other essential skills and equipment F-16 pilots need to possess.

Collin also visited the Airfield Control Tower and had the chance to talk to pilots while they were in flight.

Greg Rowley said they've taken trips to visit family in Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico, and participated in recreational activities involving ATVs and shooting. He described Collin as a typical boy growing up who liked to play with firecrackers and typical things a young boy would be interested in.

In the request letter to have his son visit the base, Greg Rowley described his son's service to others, including special needs and disabled students, before the diagnosis of a brain tumor, and Collin's solid athletic and academic record, both in Utah and out-of-state with his mom.

Collin plans to attend high school in August.