PHOTOS: Pilot for a Day

Released by 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/26/2012 - 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) Hi-res

10/26/2012 - 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) Hi-res

Source (including 9 photos)

Note: Eight-year-old Larry is the son of Jeff and Tiana Ronstadt, and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December 2011.