March units team up for Make-A-Wish tour Published Nov. 24, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Megan Crusher 452 AMW Public Affairs MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- David Woodward's wish came true Nov. 7 when he piloted a Predator and climbed aboard three March aircraft. David is a 12-year-old Costa Mesa boy with muscular dystrophy, a hereditary disease characterized by the progressive deterioration of muscle. But the day wasn't about David's illness; it was about David living his dream. The seventh grader's wish was granted with the help of the Make-A-Wish foundation and March ARB. The 163rd Reconnaissance Wing, the 452nd Air Mobility Wing and the 144th Fighter Wing all came together to give David an experience he'll never forget. "The Make-A-Wish foundation grants wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions between the ages of two and a half and 18, and our mission statement is 'we grant these wishes to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy,'" said Christina Sandoval, the assistant manager for Orange County's Make-A-Wish Foundation. Accompanying David on his journey around base were: Sandoval, Maria Crespo (David's mother) and her friend, Peter Mundkowsky. The day began with a welcome ceremony from the 163 RW, where David was presented with a jacket and was pinned as an honorary second lieutenant. David then went into the Field Training Detachment to get a briefing on the Predator's operations and capabilities. After, he went into the Field Training Unit where he piloted the unmanned aircraft in the simulator like a pro. The morning ended with a tour of the Predator hangar and an up-close look at the predator where David watched with fascination as Mundkowsky lifted the Predator with one arm. David's excitement stretched into lunch as he kept asking when he was going to be able to see the 'big planes,' said Sandoval. He didn't have to wait long. After lunch, David and his family went out to a C-17 Globemaster III. David toured the aircraft and got to see the ramp open and close. He sat in the loadmaster's station and then in the cockpit beside a pilot who explained what all the buttons and gauges do. The next stop was the KC-135 where the 452nd Aerial Port Support Flight and the 50th Aerial Port Squadron made a team effort to provide air-stairs, which made it much easier for Mundkowsky to carry David onto the aircraft. The crew showed David the boom and he sat in the pilot's seat again as the pilot showed him the controls. He then visited the 163rd Security Forces Squadron who was having a bag-drag. One Airman described a bag drag to David, telling him that they were going through all their equipment to make sure they were prepared to deploy. As the Airman showed his gear to David, David's eyes locked onto a patch with a pirate and two daggers on it. Without hesitation the Airman ripped the patch off and handed it to him. Although David was too excited to speak, as he often was during the tour, his ear to ear grin of thanks said it all. Maj. Carlos Girard, SFS commander came outside to welcome David to the 163rd. Major Girard presented David with a security forces coin and asked him if he'd like to see the armory. David's eyes lit up and he went to the armory and saw the weapons that security forces use. The final aircraft David visited was the F-16 fighter jet located at the 144th Fighter Wing. David toured the briefing room, living quarters, wore the fighter pilot helmet and even tried a pair of night vision goggles. At the F-16 fighter jet, David sat in the cockpit and put his hand on the throttle. During the visit, F-16 pilot, Capt. Donald L. Charlton stripped the patches off from his own flight suit and handed them to David. David's mother said David has wanted to be a pilot for the past two years and had a wonderful time at March. She said everyone was from the base and the Make-A-Wish program was great. "Everybody today has done such an amazing job and has gone so way above and beyond that David's been non-stop smiling. It's been an amazing day," said Sandoval at the end of the day at March. Senior Master Sgt. John Clayton, 163rd Reconnaissance Wing, coordinated with the Make-A-Wish foundation to make David's wish come true. "Sergeant 'John' was very detailed in every aspect of this wish. The day went smoothly and flawlessly because of this. It was so easy coordinating the wish with March," Sandoval said. As David prepared to depart March, it was obvious his wish had come true. His bright eyes and grin said more than words ever could.