LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 71st Fighter Squadron held their inaugural Ironmen Foundation Day when a Hampton teen experienced a day as an Air Force fighter pilot here Jan. 26.
"It was a lot of fun!" said Barry Hicks, 16, who was the young man chosen from Woodside High School for his outstanding maturity and leadership. "I got to see and learn a lot of things most people don't get the chance to."
When Barry arrived at Langley, an authentic flight suit specialized with his name was given to him. Soon after a meet-and-greet session ended, Barry got to take photographs up close and personal with the F-15C Eagle and an F-22A Raptor.
"They were both really awesome planes," said Barry. "It was cool to see everyone working together for one plane."
After watching the F-15 do low approaches at the end of the runway, Barry met pilots from the 94th and 27th FS.
"It was an outstanding bonding experience for Barry," said Mike Mullins, the unit director for the Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula. "He got to build a relationship with the pilots, which he normally wouldn't get back home."
During lunch, Barry met with more fighter pilots and discussed sports topics while enjoying a burger from the Raptor Café.
After lunch settled, Barry took control of a parachute simulator and had to successfully land in a safe area. The highlight to Barry's day came when he piloted the flight simulator.
"My favorite part was when I got to take off of the runway at full throttle," said Barry. "It felt like I was in complete control of the plane."
Barry's pre-flight briefing explained his mission before he entered the cockpit for his mission. Barry had to pick out the adversary among four planes in the air and destroy their plane before they caused any damage to Langley.
"He shot down the enemy with his gun on the first shot," said Capt. David Siemion, a 71st FS pilot and Barry's mentor for the day. "He was a natural out there and made it look too easy."
After performing maneuvers over Hampton Roads, Barry landed the F-15 smoothly on the runway and concluded his first flight.
"It was like the worlds most expensive video game in there," said Barry. "It took a lot of concentration to make it fly smoothly."
At the end of the day, Barry spent time with Langley air traffic controllers, who gave him a bird's-eye view of the airfield and explained the mission of everyone who works on the flight line.
"Barry has the natural ability to be a pilot," said Captain Siemion. "In all the tests he took throughout the day, he passed them all as if he was one of us."
The Ironmen Foundation Day will be an ongoing event throughout the year, which gives a child in the local area an opportunity to see some aspects of an Air Force officer, pilot and other Air Force jobs or activities.
"Our goal is to get out to the community and do this once a quarter," said Captain Siemion. "We are not targeting a certain group of kids and want to allow everyone the chance to be eligible."
Although there is no criterion for a child to be a part of the event, the 71st FS is looking for someone who desires to be a part of the Air Force and has a positive attitude about life.
"Being out on the flight line and seeing everyone work together really made me realize what teamwork was all about," said Barry. "That will be something to look forward to when I become a pilot."