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Hurlburt's Air Commandos grant a special wish

  • Published
  • By Amy Oliver
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Air Force Special Operations Command and the 1st Special Operations Wing hosted a visit from a 17-year-old leukemia patient and his family June 14 and 15, a result of a wish granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Airyque Ervin, from Vallejo, Calif., was diagnosed with two forms of leukemia in November 2005. He later underwent several rounds of alternate chemotherapy treatments and an experimental bone marrow transplant. 

His situation was dire. His doctors had little hope for his survival. 

The social workers at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center directed Airyque's attention to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charitable organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. 

Airyque and his mother searched the Internet for options. Airyque, who loves the television programs, "CSI" and "The Unit," wanted something of a "life" experience. They found AFSOC, and the Make-A-Wish volunteers began making phone calls. 

AFSOC received the request and promptly approved the visit. They began building an itinerary of events to create an experience of a lifetime for Airyque. 

Airyque's visit began early on June 14 at the Crate Advanced Skills Training Facility where he was issued a set of BDUs to wear. 

He spent the morning competing in AST's Monster Mash, which involved two swims and a seven-mile run during which he had to carry everything from weighted rucksacks to a gurney loaded with a teammate. 

"My favorite part was swimming in the Gulf," said Airyque, whose team came in second place out of nine teams. 

"I'm proud I was able to finish the race. It was more than I expected to do," he said.
By the afternoon, although exhausted from the morning's events, Airyque, his parents and four of his five siblings toured the 1st SOW. 

He took simulated target practice using a variety of guns at the firearms training simulator, and he watched the military working dogs demonstrate some of their capabilities. 

The family tried out night vision goggles in a blacked-out demonstration room at aircrew training, and they capped off their day with a flight in the CV-22 simulator at the 19th Special Operations Squadron. 

"He's had other opportunities since his diagnosis, such as being invited to the dugout at a San Francisco Giants baseball game," said Gallantt Ervin, Airyque's father. "But this is awesome. You just can't touch this." 

After a good night's rest, Airyque came back for more. Friday's adventures included attending the AST family day open house and personnel recovery demonstration. He also had the chance to dine with Chief Master Sgt. Michael Gilbert, AFSOC command chief, at the Riptide Dining Facility. 

Friday's highlight though was rappelling with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron personnel. They taught Airyque the 'ropes' while he fast roped from an MH-53 PAVE LOW training fuselage and rappelled down their four-story training tower. 

Airyque's visit concluded with AST's graduation banquet at The Soundside where he was made their first honorary graduate. Airyque was speechless. 

"We all have seen or will see the battlefield," said Capt. Frankie Rodriguez, 720th Operations Support Squadron AST flight commander, "But not many will have to battle leukemia. Airyque is a true warrior." 

And it looks as if he's beaten the odds. His bone marrow transplant was successful, and he has slowly been removed from all medications. He now has a favorable prognosis. 

He also has a lifetime of memories of the two days he spent "hanging out" with special operators. Maybe one day, he'll even decide to become one. 

"It was truly an awesome experience," Airyque said. "More than I ever expected."