Ohio National Guard News

Gahanna teen becomes honorary pilot for a day

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Wendy Kuhn, 21st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

The 121st Air Refueling Wing hosted 15-year-old Chase Fulmer and his family for its Pilot for a Day program July 27, 2017, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. The wing conducts the program periodically to provide an opportunity for a child with special needs or a life-threatening illness to receive a tour of the base and become an honorary member of the wing.

15-year-old Chase Fulmer learns to marshal a KC-135 Stratotanker .

Maj. John Tudela (right), a pilot with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, answers questions about a KC-135 Stratotanker.

The 121st Air Refueling Wing hosted 15-year-old Chase Fulmer (middle, left), his family, mother Natalie Fulmer (from left) and sister Paige Fulmer, and his teacher, Heather Turner.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 121st Air Refueling Wing hosted 15-year-old Chase Fulmer and his family at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus for its Pilot for a Day program earlier this year. The program is conducted periodically by the Ohio Air National Guard wing to provide an opportunity for a child with special needs or a life-threatening illness to receive a hands-on tour of the base and become an honorary member of the wing.

Fulmer was accompanied by his mother, Natalie Fulmer, his sister, Paige Fulmer, and his teacher at Gahanna Middle School West, Heather Turner.

“We are excited to have Chase here with his family,” said Col. Mark D. Auer, 121st commander. “Chase brings a lot of joy to his family and community and we hope that this day provides some of that in return.”

Chase, who is on the autism spectrum, has a passion for aviation.

“We take him to the airport all the time to watch the airplanes come in and take off,” Natalie said.

Chase was presented with his very own flight suit and was treated to a day of activities, beginning with an honorary induction ceremony, where he was “sworn in” and pledged to have fun, ask a lot of questions, look cool in his flight suit and smile often, “so help me Mom.” He also participated in pre-flight activities and received hands-on tours of several sites on base, including Aircrew Flight Equipment, the fire department, Security Forces and the boom simulator, which simulates the aerial refueling of various aircraft by a KC-135 Stratotanker. Chase said one of his favorite activities was learning how to marshal the aircraft.

Fulmer’s mother said he was so excited about this opportunity, he set his alarm for 6:30 a.m. two days in advance.

“Chase loves aviation and to come here and watch him is priceless,” Natalie said. “This is just so overwhelming. He loves it so much.”

Turner, who has been Fulmer’s intervention specialist at Gahanna Middle School West for the past three years, was invited by Natalie to take part in the day as well.

“For me, it was incredible to see him in the flight suit, but I also loved getting to see his face when he got to sit in the cockpit and walk around with these Airmen who are his mentors. There were so many things.” Turner said.

Chase also participates in the Gahanna Special Olympics where he has received medals in track, bowling and swimming. In the future, Fulmer said he would be interested in pursuing a career in aviation.

“It’s been such an amazing day. I can’t describe it,” Natalie said. “Chase will remember this forever.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: The “Pilot for a Day” program started in the 1990s at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and is designed to give children with chronic or life threatening illnesses the opportunity to live out their dreams for a day and for their families to enjoy time outside the challenges of everyday living. The concept has since spread to several bases across the country, including the four Ohio Air National Guard wings, which each have hosted children at their bases. See below for links to past Pilots for a Day stories, videos and photos:

12.18.2007   The fighter: Young ‘Soldier’ inspiring to many who meet, know him: Dennis Channel Jr. (article)

12.18.2014   Wing welcomes youngest pilot; newest tradition: Roman Pettograsso (article)

03.19.2015   Rickenbacker wing hosts second Pilot for a Day: Ian Straight (video)

04.14.2015    Pilot for a Day program hosts Ian Straight (article)

07.13.2015    121st hosts third Pilot for a Day: Madalyn Charles (article)

08.26.2015    Rickenbacker ANGB hosts Jake Sprowl as Pilot for a Day (article)

05.27.2016    180th Fighter Wing names a Pilot for a Day: Ashleigh Hunt (article)

07.26.2016    Local cancer patient promoted to honorary Chief Master Sergeant: Barrett Fitzsimmons (article)

07.28.2016    179th Airlift Wing Pilot for a Day: Mason ‘Masonic’ Mullen (flickr album)

09.27.2016    179th Airlift Wing hosts ‘Pilot for a Day’: Agustin “AGU” Cal (article)