U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Tanis, 48th Air Expeditionary Group F-15C Eagle pilot, explains the function of an F-15C Eagle to Mikolaj Chojecki, 14, and Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, 11, during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of the two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Mikolaj Chojecki, 14, sits at the controls of a KC-135 Stratotanker deployed from RAF Mildenhall during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Blakley, 48th Air Expeditionary Group KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator, explains the controls of the aircraft’s boom pod to Mikolaj Chojecki, 14, during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Kyle Gauthier, 48th Air Expeditionary Group C-130J Super Hercules pilot, presents Mikolaj Chojecki, 14, with an airborne troop carrier patch during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, 11, and her brother, Stefan Erlendsson, 8, wave from the flight deck of a C-130J Super Hercules deployed from Ramstein Air Base during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children, Kolbrun and Mikolaj Chojecki, who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary, 48th Air Expeditionary Group pararescueman, helps Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, right, 11, and Mikolaj Chojecki, 14, suit up in pararescue equipment during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of the two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, 11, wears pararescue equipment in the back of a C-130J Super Hercules during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children, Kolbrun and Mikolaj Chojecki, who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis Murillo, 48th Air Expeditionary Group C-130J Super Hercules loadmaster, high fives Kolbrun Erlendsodottir, 11, during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, 11, shows her mother how strong she is during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, 11, tests out a pair of night vision goggles during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group took time out of their day to brighten the lives of the two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Mikolaj Chojecki, 14, sits in the cockpit of an F-15C Eagle during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group took time out of their day to brighten the lives of two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Tanis, 48th Air Expeditionary Group F-15C Eagle pilot, presents flight wings to Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, 11, at the end of the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of the two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Tanis, 48th Air Expeditionary Group F-15C Eagle pilot, presents flight wings to Mikolaj Chojecki, 14, at the end of the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of the two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Mikolaj Chojecki, right, 14, and Kolbrun Erlendsdottir, 11, receive their first salute from U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Tanis, 48th Air Expeditionary Group F-15C Eagle pilot, after receiving their flight wings during the pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Airmen deployed with the 48th AEG took time out of their day to brighten the lives of the two children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson/Released)

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Children become 'pilot for a day' in Iceland

Published May 28, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

KEFLAVIK, Iceland -- U.S. Air Force Airmen from RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath who are deployed with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group held a pilot-for-a-day program May 23, 2014, at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. The program enabled the Airmen to share what it's like being a pilot with two local children who have been struggling with serious long-term illnesses.