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Boy becomes first 403rd Wing Pilot for a Day

  • Published
  • By Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
Nine-year-old Jon Bryant “JB” Orso of the Mobile, Alabama, area became the 403rd Wing’s first Pilot for a Day today.

 

Orso, who was sworn in as an honorary Air Force Reserve second lieutenant this morning, is in remission after receiving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the U.S.A. Children's and Women’s Hospital in Mobile, Alabama.

 

The purpose of the Pilot for a Day program is to reach out to the community by providing activities to children who live with a chronic or life-threatening disease or illness, said Maj. Jarod Hamblin, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot and organizer of the event.

 

“This allows a child who is going through a very difficult life experience to focus on something positive for a day,” said Hamblin.

 

As part of the program, JB experienced a commissioning ceremony, received an aircrew flight suit, was taxied aboard a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and toured the 81st Training Wing’s air traffic control tower and fire department. He concluded the day with a ride in a Keesler Air Force Base fire truck. 

 

“This is so much more than what we expected,” said Christi Orso, mother of JB. “He told me that he feels so important. I don’t think I’ve seen him keep a smile on his face as long as he has today.”

 

JB was diagnosed in December 2014 and will complete his chemotherapy treatment in August 2018. His mother said he will be considered healed if he has no relapse in the next five years after completing his treatment.

 

“We have watched Jon Bryant grow up in so many ways through his diagnosis, and we know that he will have a great testimony of God’s healing power, grace and love,” said Christi.