4-Year-Old to Become ‘Pilot for a Day’ with N.D. Air National Guard

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

FARGO, N.D. — A young West Fargo, N.D., boy who has been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia will become an honorary general and a “Pilot for a Day” at the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo, N.D., Friday, May 27.

Evan Krogen, 4, will spend the day with his parents, older brother and a slew of Airmen who will give him first-class treatment for the day. The day’s events begin at 8:30 a.m., when Krogen will don a flight suit that’s just his size along with the stars of a general’s rank. From there, he’ll have the opportunity to climb into a C-21 Lear jet in the 119th Wing’s hangar and see the trucks in the fire hall. The Regional Training Site’s aircraft burn pit will be lighted, giving Krogen a chance to help put out a real fire. He also will get to operate a robot used by the explosive ordnance disposal team. A visit to the Fargo Air Museum during lunch will include a pizza party.

The “Pilot for a Day” program

honors a child who is fighting or has overcome a life-threatening illness or condition. The first event took place in 2005, but the program needed to be put on hold during the 119th Wing’s transition from flying F-16 fighter jets to the C-21 Lear jet. The program resumed last March when Jordan Dvorak, of Grand Forks, N.D., became Pilot for a Day. Sean Clementich, of Devils Lake, N.D., was Pilot for a Day last August.

WHO: Evan Krogen, of West Fargo, N.D.
WHAT: Pilot for a Day
WHERE: North Dakota Air National Guard, 1400 32nd Ave. N., Fargo, N.D.
WHEN: The best time for coverage will be between 9:50 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Friday. The schedule follows:

9:50 a.m. — Life Support demonstration, including life vests, rafts and other safety equipment for planes
10:10 a.m. — Hero photos, C-21 Lear jet tour, emergency egress to fire trucks
10:25 a.m. — Move by fire truck to ramp
10:30 a.m. — Watch C-21 fly by
10:35 a.m. — fire department demonstration