Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
Pilot for a Day Ethan Ridd and his family are given an opportunity to witness the power of an afterburner at the engine test cell on RAF Lakenheath, England, Oct. 27, 2023. Engines are tested inside of ‘hush houses’ to minimize noise and provide a safe area for maintainers to inspect them. (U.S. Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)...
Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
Pilot for a Day Ethan Ridd is shown the workings of one of the hush houses at RAF Lakenheath, England on Oct. 27, 2023. Engines are tested inside of ‘hush houses’ to minimize noise and provide a safe area for maintainers to inspect them. (U.S. Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)...
Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
Pilot for a Day Ethan Ridd and his family get up close and personal with the F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, Oct. 27, 2023. The Pilot for a Day program started in 2012 and gives sick children a break from routine hospital visits and a chance to see what the U.S. Air Force does. (U.S. Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)...
Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
Pilot for a Day Ethan Ridd is escorted to the taxiway by Capt. Anthony “Nero” Lafata, a pilot assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, Oct. 27, 2023. The Pilot for a Day program started in 2012 and gives sick children a break from routine hospital visits and a chance to see what the U.S. Air Force does. (U.S. Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)...
Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
Pilot for a Day Ethan Ridd gets a tour of the 492nd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, Oct. 27, 2023. The Pilot for a Day program started in 2012 and gives sick children a break from routine hospital visits and a chance to see what the U.S. Air Force does. (U.S. Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)...
Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
U.S. Air Force Maj. David “Evil” Bown, 495th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, gives a tour of the F-35 A Lightning II to Pilot for a Day Ethan Ridd and his family at RAF Lakenheath, England, Oct. 27, 2023.The Pilot for a Day program started in 2012 and gives sick children a break from routine hospital visits and a chance to see what the U.S. Air Force does. (U.S. Force......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
Pilot for a Day, Ethan Ridd is taken around the 495th Fighter Squadron and shown the daily routine and aspects of what pilots will get to see and experience at RAF Lakenheath, England, Oct. 27, 2023. The 495th Aircrew Flight Equipment team showed Ethan all the equipment, even allowing him to put on a helmet belonging to an F-35A Lightning II pilot. (U.S. Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)...
Photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | 48th Fighter Wing | 10.27.2023
U.S. Air Force Maj. David “Evil” Bown, 495th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, gives a preflight briefing to several pilots and the Pilot for a Day, Ethan Ridd, at RAF Lakenheath, Oct. 27, 2023. Ethan received an in-depth education of what the pilots will hear during the briefing before takeoff. (U.S. Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)...
