Airlift Wing hosts first Pilot for a Day Published Feb. 29, 2016 By TSgt Carlos Trevino 433rd Airlift Wing JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- As part of the 433rd Airlift Wing's Pilot for a Day program, 15-year-old Zach Guiterrez was sworn in as an honorary second lieutenant and spent a half of a day here, Feb. 27, visiting various squadrons within the wing. Zach's tour included experiencing flight in a C-5A Galaxy simulator and sitting in the cockpit of the real thing. Saturday's event was a first for the 433rd AW, and it proved to be one of the most heartwarming occasions of the year. "The Pilot for a Day program is our way of saying thanks to the city of San Antonio," said Col. David A. Scott, vice commander of the 433rd Airlift Wing. "The Children's Hospital of San Antonio found a great candidate for our Pilot for a Day. We let them choose," Scott said. In 2007, Zach was diagnosed with kidney disease. Since then he's had a kidney transplant, but it failed. He has been on hemodialysis since 2013. His condition is a challenge according to his parents, but Zach, a sophomore at Brackenridge High School, and his family do not look at it as a disability. "You have to stay positive. You have to ride the ride, as they say, take the bull by the horns," said his mother, Bonnie Lopez. His dad echoed his wife's sentiments. "He doesn't see it as a disability; it's just another challenge for him. It makes him a stronger person. It makes us stronger as a family," Ben Lopez said. "It's a part of our life that we deal with. He's the strongest kid I know, stronger than most men." To start the day, Zach was giving the oath of office before pinning on the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In the commander's conference room, he received a mission briefing before heading out to the 433rd Security Forces Squadron. "The guns were cool. They were heavy, and they showed me the laser on the rifle," Zach said. While in the C-5 flight simulator, Zach experience piloting the massive C-5A, using the throttle and controls. He maneuvered it left and right, and ascended and descended the aircraft during the session. "I really liked the simulator. The movements seemed very realistic," Zach said. "I had a great time. Thank you for everything that you gave me, especially the coins and the patches," he said. "I really liked the picture frame with the commander," the honorary second lieutenant said in closing. Scott said he hopes to have the program semi-annually. "What a great opportunity it is for him and his family, and the men and women here at the Alamo Wing," he said.