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Air Force Reserve F-16 unit honors extraordinary boy

  • Published
  • By Kari Tilton
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Seven-year-old Gabe Adams wore a flight suit and a smile Oct. 19 when reservists in the 419th Fighter Wing here made him an honorary pilot.

Gabe, who was born with no arms or legs, was given VIP status during a tour of the wing along with his 2nd grade class. Gabe was also joined by his parents and his grandparents.

The group visited the Air Force Reserve Command F-16 unit after Gabe's teacher and her aide asked to bring them out to the base in recognition of Gabe's accomplishments in the classroom.

"[Gabe] never lets anything stop him," said Ms. Jackie Poll, Gabe's teacher.

Gabe writes with a pencil tucked under his chin. He can also swim and can even walk by balancing on his hips. This extraordinary little boy worked hard to improve his reading this year, and his teacher and aide wanted to do something to recognize these accomplishments. Since Gabe loves airplanes, a trip to the base seemed appropriate.

"In the classroom he's treated just like any student; he just does amazing things with his limitations," said Ms. Poll. "I am continually impressed with what and how he accomplishes things we so often take for granted."

The wing's operations and maintenance people came together to create a special day for the remarkable little boy and his classmates. Lt. Col. Bill "Hobbes" Lyons, operations officer for the "Diamondbacks" of the wing's 466th Fighter Squadron who took the lead in organizing the tour, presented Gabe with a flight suit that was tailored to fit the boy's tiny frame.

Gabe and his fellow students got a chance to sit in the back of an F-16D, take a peek through some night-vision goggles and take the stick of the wing's F-16 flight simulator.

The tour ended with Gabe and his father getting a surprise "ride" in the backseat of an F-16D as it was towed around the ramp. Gabe and his father wore helmets that were rigged so both could communicate with the pilot during their ride.

"I think Gabe was somewhat overwhelmed by the whole thing," said Colonel Lyons. "I myself am overwhelmed by the feeling of good that comes from helping to make this a special day for so many people. I'm confident that our newest Diamondback will remember this day for the rest of his life."

Gabe's mother snapped pictures and his classmates cheered with delight as Gabe and his father stepped out of the aircraft after the ride.

"To be able to be in that plane and to wear those helmets ... and to be treated with the respect that he is being treated with ... I think he deserves that," said Mrs. Janelle Adams, Gabe's mother. "This was such a special experience."

After the tour, Gabe and his family attended a base luncheon honoring persons with disabilities. During the luncheon Colonel Lyons presented Gabe with an F-16 lithograph signed by pilots from the 419th Fighter Wing.

The honorary pilot said he intends to make another public appearance in his flight suit this Halloween. (AFRC News Service)