Pilot for a Day

Eight-year-old Larry Ronstadt smiles as host pilot U.S. Air Force Maj. Richard Benda, 357th Fighter Squadron, explains the cockpit of the A-10 Thunderbolt II on Oct 25, 2012, during the Pilot for a Day event of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Larry was a Pilot for a Day for the 357th Fighter Squadron, and Major Benda is the Assistant Director of Operations for the 357 FS. Pilot for a Day is a program which provides children with a terminal illness a day to visit the base and become an honorary pilot for one of the operational squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

U.S. Air Force Lt Col. John Gabriel, 357th Fighter Squadron commander, gives Larry Ronstadt the 357th Fighter Squadron patch just after administering the Pilot for a Day "Oath of Office," during the Pilot for a Day program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Larry was an honorary 357th FS pilot here on Oct 25, 2012, where he, his father and grandfather toured the squadron, visited an A-10 static, an HH-60 static and the base Fire Department. Larry is the eight-year-old son of Jeff and Tiana Ronstadt. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

Eight-year-old Larry Ronstadt climbs into the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II static on Oct 25, 2012, during the Pilot for a Day event at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Pilot for a Day is a program which provides children with a terminal illness a day to visit the base and become an honorary pilot for one of the operational squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

U.S Air Force Staff Sgt. Cole Connors, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, assists Larry Ronstadt into fire-fighting personal protective equipment on Oct 25, 2012, during Larry's tour of the base Fire Department, as part of the Pilot for a Day program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Larry was an honorary 357th Fighter Squadron pilot, where he, his father and grandfather toured the squadron, visited an A-10 static and simulator, an HH-60 static and the base Fire Department. Sergeant Connors is a Firefighter Crew Chief with the base Fire Department. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

Firefighters from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Fire Department assist Larry Ronstadt in spraying a target with the fire hose during the Pilot for a Day event on Oct 25, 2012. Eight-year-old Larry is the son of Jeff and Tiana Ronstadt, and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

Eight-year-old Larry Ronstadt hugs Sparky the Dog after his tour of the base Fire Department as part of the Pilot for a Day program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct 25, 2012. Larry was diagnosed with leukemia in December 2012. The program provides children with a terminal illness a day to visit the base and become an honorary pilot for one of the operational squadrons. Sparky was played by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class James Mullenix, who is a firefighter with the base Fire Department. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cole Connors, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, and Larry Ronstadt pose for a photograph after Larry's tour of the base Fire Department during the Pilot for a Day event at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct 25, 2012. During their visit, Larry, his father, Jeff, and grandfather, Jim, were able to tour the 357th Fighter Squadron and base Fire Department, visit an A-10 Thunderbolt and HH-60 Pavehawk static, and fly an A-10 simulator. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel Bolin and Staff Sgt. Jeremy Sutter, 55th Rescue Squadron, observe while Larry Ronstadt simulates firing a weapon from the HH-60 Pavehawk static Oct. 25, 2012, as part of the Pilot for a Day program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. During their visit, Larry, his father, Jeff, and grandfather, Jim, were able to tour the 357th Fighter Squadron and base Fire Department, visit an A-10 Thunderbolt and HH-60 Pavehawk static, and fly an A-10 simulator. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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Pilot for a Day

Pilot for a Day is a program which provides children with a terminal illness a day to visit the base and become an honorary pilot for one of the operational squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1LT Susan Harrington/released)

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PHOTOS: Pilot for a Day

Published Oct. 26, 2012