"Second Lieutenant" Dominic Magne, 6, from Flagstaff, Ariz., is the 162nd Fighter Wing's newest pilot.

He earned his lieutenant bars and pilot wings during a training day at Tucson International Airport April 17.

Dominic's wish to become a fighter pilot became reality when the wing learned about him through Dream Factory, a nonprofit agency that grants dreams to critically ill children.

Dominic battles leukemia, first diagnosed at age 2. He took a break from treatment at Phoenix Children's Hospital to undergo pilot training.

"He's always liked planes and has pointed them out whenever he saw them from the window," said Susan Magne, Dominic's grandmother.

Upon arrival at the 162nd Operations Group, Dominic zipped on a flight suit customized with wing, squadron and his name patch. His flight instructor, Maj. Scott Reinhold, instantly bestowed the call sign "Magnum" on the young trainee.

With coaching from Major Reinhold, Dominic became a fighter ace, shooting down three enemy aircraft and making a perfect landing on his first flight in the F-16 simulator.

On the flight line, Dominic rode out to the tarmac in a P-19R fire truck sounding the horn and spraying water in celebration of his successful simulator flight. He then watched several F-16 low approaches and landings from a runway observation booth.

Once back at the ops group, the unit commissioned Dominic a second lieutenant and presented him with certificates, unit coins, a flight cap and numerous other gifts.

"The Guard has been so gracious and the level of detail is tremendous," said Leslie Beatty, Dream Factory coordinator. "This will help keep his mind off the treatments he will go through."

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