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442nd FW welcomes honorary pilot

By Senior Airman Missy Sterling, 442nd Fighter Wing / Published November 04, 2016

Members of the 442nd Fighter Wing welcome Britton Whiteside, honorary "pilot of the day," and his family in the A-10 Thunderbolt II hangar at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., November 3, 2016. The Whitesides traveled over an hour from Archie, Mo., to spend the day at Whiteman AFB as an uplifting day for Britton before his last round of chemotherapy. Britton was diagnosed with kidney cancer approximately four months prior to his visit at Whiteman. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Missy Sterling)
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric Hickernell, 303rd Fighter Squadron pilot, explains the instrumental systems in an A-10 Thunderbolt II cockpit to Britton Whiteside, honorary "pilot of the day," at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., November 3, 2016. Britton was guided up the boarding ladder where he noticed his name on the side of the aircraft placed there by the 442nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Missy Sterling)
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Britton Whiteside, honorary "pilot of the day," smiles at his dad while he sits in the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., November 3, 2016. Britton was presented patches and a 303rd Fighter Squadron morale T-shirt to complete his pilot uniform. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Missy Sterling)
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Christina Whiteside takes a photo of her son Britton while he holds an engraved bullet from an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., November 3, 2016. As honorary "pilot of the day," Britton and his parents were given a tour of an A-10 Thunderbolt II, aircrew flight equipment and a flight simulation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Missy Sterling)
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Geoffrey Manter, 303rd Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares to "race" another pilot in a golf cart to the squadron headquarters building at Whiteman Air Force Base as Britton Whiteside, honorary "pilot of the day," and his mom laugh. Britton and his parents were given a presentation of aircrew flight equipment then experienced a simulated flight. His family coordinated a visit at Whiteman before his final round of chemotherapy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Missy Sterling)
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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Members of the 442nd Fighter Wing welcome Britton Whiteside, honorary "pilot of the day," and his family in the A-10 Thunderbolt II hangar at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., November 3, 2016. The Whitesides traveled over an hour from Archie, Mo., to spend the day at Whiteman AFB as an uplifting day for Britton before his last round of chemotherapy. Britton was diagnosed with kidney cancer approximately four months prior to his visit at Whiteman. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Missy Sterling)