Local hero becomes pilot for a day

Kamren Teague, a 9-year-old from Wichita, Kan., who was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma, smiles as he becomes a member of the 344th Air Refueling Squadron as part of the “Pilot for a Day” program, June 30, 2010, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Airmen from the 344th ARS hosted Kamren and his family, helping them learn about McConnell’s flying operations, ensuring Kamren had a day to remember. The family also toured a KC-135 Stratotanker, a fire truck and the air traffic control tower. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

Local hero becomes pilot for a day

Kamren Teague, a 9-year-old from Wichita, Kan., operates a KC-135 Stratotanker flight simulator while his cousin Jayden Martinez, 8, observes, June 30, 2010, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Airmen from the 344th Air Refueling Squadron gave Kamren the opportunity to be a “Pilot for a Day” by providing him a personalized flight suit and allowing him to maneuver the flight simulator to experience first-hand how to operate the aircraft (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

Local hero becomes pilot for a day

Kamren Teague, 9, sits with his cousins, Joslyn, 14, and Jayden Martinez, 8, on an engine of a KC-135 Stratotanker, June 30, 2010, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The 344th Air Refueling Squadron recently reinstated the “Pilot for a Day” program that centers around helping children with terminal illnesses. Kamren is the program’s first “pilot” in several years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

Local hero becomes pilot for a day

Published July 8, 2010
By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- With his hands folded behind his back, and a flight suit slightly too long for his 9-year-old frame, Kamren Teague, a boy from Wichita, Kan., joined the flying community of the 344th Air Refueling Squadron June 30, 2010.

Kamren, who was recently diagnosed with Stage III Lymphoma, and four other members of his family were invited to McConnell by the 344th ARS as part of the Pilot for a Day program, an Air Force program that allows medically-challenged youth a chance to visit a base and become part of the team.

The participants are usually selected through a partnership with a community hospital, in this case Wesley Medical Center.

As part of the program, Capt. Gabe Arrington, 344th ARS readiness flight commander, served as Kamren's wingman for the day, answering questions while also ensuring that Kamren's experience was memorable. This included a tour of a KC-135 Stratotanker, the base control tower and a chance to ride in a base fire truck.

Kamren also flew one of the KC-135- simulators, the highlight of Kamren's day.

"That was my favorite part, I also enjoyed aiming the water house on the fire engine," he said.

The chance to see Kamren have a carefree day focused on more than his diagnosis was also uplifting for Kamren's mother, Michelle.

"He woke up really early this morning because he was so excited," she said. "This is a very nice opportunity for him to be here and see a lot of things most kids don't get to see."

Kamren's Pilot for a Day experience was the first in several years at McConnell.

Efforts for the program to be reinstated at McConnell began four months ago, spearheaded by Captain Arrington.

"Programs like this have kind of fallen off the radar here with the higher number of deployments over the years," said Captain Arrington. "It's something we have the option to do and we would like to continue the program at least quarterly."

The day concluded with a ceremony where Lt. Col. Barry Cargle, 344th ARS commander, presented Kamren with a 344th ARS coin and an honorary patch.

The importance of providing programs such as Pilot for a Day, was not lost on members of the 344th ARS.

"As military members we have the opportunity to -- and are blessed really -- to move around to different areas of the country, to meet, relate and be a part of the community," said Captain Arrington. "Kamren is in a tough fight right now, we want him to know that around the world, he's got brothers and sisters to fight for him and we appreciate what he, and the community does for us."