Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Michon | Hunter Willis receives mission instructions from the pilots through his headset before...... read more read more
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A wing commander has many responsibilities in constant balance, mostly keeping the mission going and taking care of the Airmen, a position that comes with great honor responsibility.
For one local area teenager, his love for flying and military culture would allow him to experience that honor first-hand. Hunter Willis, diagnosed with a terminal illness in 2013, was invited to the 167th Airlift Wing and sworn in as the wing commander for the day May 13.
“We were presented a unique opportunity to provide a day of joy to Hunter,” said Col. Marty Timko, 167th Airlift Wing commander. “It’s part of our outreach to our community and our guard family.”
Willis is an 18-year-old Hedgesville, West Virginia, resident who was diagnosed eight years ago with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Willis was recently the first student ever to be accepted into Shepherd University’s aviation program and is currently in the process of obtaining his private pilot’s license, already accumulating several hours of flying experience. He hopes to one day become a commercial airline pilot, while also interested in history, geography and computers.
Willis was joined by his family and friends at the 167th Airlift Wing as he was issued a flight suit displaying his new rank of colonel before taking the oath and swearing in as the new wing commander.
“Col. Willis” was also given the opportunity to promote his father, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tom Willis of the West Virginia Army National Guard. The Willis family gathered with 167th leadership to tour of several of the base’s facilities, including the air traffic control tower, wing headquarters and the operations building. Willis, his father and sister were then flown on one of the wing’s C-17 aircraft as part of a training flight mission.
“Hunter is the most courageous person I know,” said Tom Willis. “And it was greatest honor to be pinned by him as the acting base commander.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2021 14:36 |
| Story ID: | 396741 |
| Location: | MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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