“Cleared for takeoff!” Korbyn shouted into the radio as he overlooked the runway at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Within moments, an Air Force pilot lifted the A-10 Thunderbolt II into the air. Korbyn excitedly waved his hands as the plane flew by. It was just one of the many incredible moments from his wish to be a member of the Michigan National Guard.

“To be able to show Korbyn and share it with a 6-year-old [who] went through the trials and tribulations that he did, it’s just so cool and rewarding,” First Lieutenant Shane Bilek said.

For this courageous boy, who has a form of bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma, the day brought countless surprises thanks to the generosity of the 127th Wing. The Ionia native toured a KC-135 Stratotanker, which had his name on the side, and assisted in a simulated pilot engine start preparing for takeoff.

“[The wish] feels like a break,” Korbyn’s mom, Toni, said. “It feels like removing ourselves from what has been reality in the past eight months and being able to enjoy the day and do something we’ve never been able to do before.”

While undergoing inpatient chemo, his medical team at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital gave him some Army toys that he played throughout his entire hospital stay. When his wish-granting volunteers asked him about a wish, Korbyn wanted to meet real military members and ride in a tank.

Korbyn was thrilled to have his wish come true when he hopped into a World War II Sherman Tank and rode in it around the block.

Hours of video game practice at home came in handy when Korbyn tried his hand at their A-10 flight simulator before sitting in the cockpit of an actual A-10 attack plane.

“My favorite part was seeing him do the simulator,” Toni said. “He was pretty good at that!”

The day concluded with a special presentation by the 127th Wing with gifts from the various branches serving out of Selfridge ANGB.

“Seeing him just able to be a kid and not have to worry about medicine today is very rewarding,” Toni said. “He’s going to talk about today for weeks!”