'Ravens' help child soar

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Spending 12 hours a week attached to machines to supply bodily fluids may not be the best way to live, but for one Toronto, Kan., native, it's a way of life.

Ten year old Kara Marr receives dialysis treatments at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kan., three times a week and is currently on a transplant list for a new kidney, but she was selected by McConnell's 344th Air Refueling Squadron "Ravens" to get a hands on tour of the Air Force mission through a program known as Pilot for a Day, March 25, 2011.

"The mission of the Pilot for a Day Program is to provide a fun, memorable and carefree day for a child and their family through a display of McConnell assets and personnel," said 1st Lt. Steven Chandler, 344th ARS Pilot for a Day program organizer.

To get to McConnell, Kara made the same hour and a half trip she regularly makes to receive treatments. This time the trip would start her tour of McConnell.

"Every time we come across I-35 to take her to dialysis she'll [say], 'Nanny, Nanny there's a plane,'" said Tara Smith, Kara's grandmother. "So she was really excited to see the plane that she sees flying above us all the time."

McConnell's Ravens not only let her view the inside of a KC-135 Stratotanker they, also let her "fly" a KC-135 in McConnell's flight simulators. Kara was not alone during this adventure, as her wingman, 1st Lt. Benjamin Mattalino, 344th ARS pilot, was by her side answering questions and guiding her through the Air Force world.

"Just to hear what she's going through and that she can do it with such a big personality and such a positive attitude gives more to us than we give to [her]," said Lieutenant Mattalino. "I am also grateful for those that stepped up during the day, Capt. Courtland Stanley, Capt Emily Kubusek, Capt Jason Kilpatrick, Airmen 1st Class Adam Joachim, Loraine Porter and Ashley Roames, all 344th ARS members."

Kara came along with her grandma and younger brother.

"Talking to her grandma and seeing how active she was, you would think she is this normal 10-year old girl, then you find out she is faced with a life threatening illness," said Airman Roames. "The day was amazing and very humbling to be with her, because she is so awesome and so is her family. There is a lot of love and strength in that family."

Showing Kara only one part of our mission wasn't enough, because there are many specialties in the Air Force. Kara got to experience the fire department, visit the military working dogs and tour the 344th ARS building, said Lieutenant Chandler.

Kara finished her day off by being inducted into the 344th ARS as an honorary pilot. She is the fifth Pilot for a Day participant to join the McConnell program, but she will not be the last as there are three more Pilots for a Day scheduled for 2011.