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Air Force Reserve Command

Air Force Reserve Col. William Phillips, commander of the 910th Operation Group, administers the oath of office swearing in 10-year-old Ethan Libert of Niles, Ohio as an honorary second lieutenant here June 25. Ethan was selected by Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley to be honored as a pilot for a day. He is being treated for Juvenile Diabetes. Ethan was taxied aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft and given a special tour of the installation. The 910th Airlift Wing pilot for a day program began in 2000 to help bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of children being treated for chronic or life threatening conditions. U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Brent J. Davis

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Local boy becomes pilot for a day

Published June 26, 2014
By Maj. Brent J. Davis
910th Public Affairs Office

YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Ten-year-old Ethan Libert of Niles, Ohio, captured the hearts of those around him here June 25 as he spent six hours as the latest 910th Airlift Wing Pilot for a Day.

Ethan, who was selected by Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley to be honored as a pilot for a day in the program's 15th year, was initially sworn in as an honorary second lieutenant to kick off the program. He was taxied aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft and given a special tour of the installation.

The 910th Airlift Wing pilot for a day program began in 2000 to help bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of children being treated for chronic or life threatening conditions. Ethan said "This was an epic day!"