Pilot for A Day

Fire Chief Wayne Wood shows Isaac Eun Soo French, Pilot for A Day, some of the equipment the Westover Fire Department uses during a tour of Westover on April A UTA. Isaac was born in South Korea and adopted by the French family when he was three years old. He was born without portions of bones in his lower legs and middle fingers. (photo by TSgt. Brian Boynton)

Pilot for A Day

TSgt. Karl Koenig, 439th Maintenance Squadron, gives Isaac Eun Soo French, Pilot for A Day, a tour of the C-5 Galaxy during the April A UTA. Isaac was born in South Korea and adopted by the French family when he was three years old. He was born without portions of bones in his lower legs and middle fingers. (photo by TSgt. Brian Boynton)

Pilot for A Day

Family members surround Isaac Eun Soo French, Pilot for A Day, on Westover's flightline during a tour of the C-5 Galaxy during the April A UTA. Isaac was born in South Korea and adopted by the French family when he was three years old. He was born without portions of bones in his lower legs and middle fingers. (photo by TSgt. Brian Boynton)

Wing showcases mission for Pilot for a day

Published May 12, 2014
By TSgt. Brian Boynton
439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Patriot Wing members welcomed 13-year-old Isaac Eun Soo French and his family from upstate New York for Westover's first Pilot for a Day in 2014.

His tour, held April 5, kicked off with a wing pinning ceremony presenting him with a Letter of Appointment and Oath conducted by the commander; in which he also received a personalized flight jacket and was given a mission brief.

Isaac was born in South Korea and adopted by the French family when he was three years old. He was born without portions of bones in his lower legs and middle fingers. But this didn't slow Isaac from climbing, skateboarding, riding a hand cycle or doing everything his other five brothers did.

At four years old, Isaac underwent a surgical amputation of both legs and a few months later received his first prosthetic legs with knees. Since then, Isaac has nearly completed all levels of the Red Cross swim courses and participates in a swim club, wrestles in tournaments and is a Mohawk Homeschool Rowing Association member. He also plays guitar and does volunteer work with younger children.

Highlights for Isaac and his family included taking over the controls of the C-5 simulator and upon "landing" back at Westover, Isaac and his family were escorted to the control tower for a "post-flight briefing" that included a tutorial on the function of the flight tower.

From there a C-5 tour that included sitting behind the controls of a real C-5 before enjoying lunch at the chow hall. Other stops included visits to EOD and security forces, and the fire department.

The Pilot for a Day program allows specially selected disabled children to tour the base and get an inside look at the workings of an air force base.

Isaac's tour wrapped up at the Base Hangar for Commander's Call. Brig. Gen. Steven Vautrain, 439th Airlift Wing commander, presented Isaac with a plaque and coin.

EDITOR'S NOTE: SMSgt. Heather Zackaricz, Pilot for a Day organizer, contributed to this story.