Coast Guard makes a wish come true

14th Coast Guard District NewsHONOLULU – Coast Guardsmen from Air Station Barbers Point, working closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped make a young man’s wish to fly aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter come true, Thursday.

Trey Erwin, a 15-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee, and his family were given a tour of the air station. During the visit, the family met with Coast Guard pilots and rescue swimmers. Trey, his mother and younger brother were given flight suits, boots and pilot’s helmets to wear during their flight.

After getting suited up, they were taken to the airfield where the Dolphin helicopter awaited. The family met with their pilot, Lt. Jason Gross, and their flight mechanic, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lilkendey, an avionics electrical technician. The Erwin family was given a safety brief before climbing aboard. The family was then taken on a flight around Oahu.

After the flight, crewmembers from the air station presented the family with mementos such as T-shirts and challenge coins. The family concluded their visit by having lunch with the air station’s commanding officer.

“The crew here at the air station was very honored to meet this wonderful young man and his family,” said Capt. Anthony Vogt, commanding officer of Air Station Barbers Point. “Everyone here was pleased to have the opportunity to grant Trey’s wish and provide him and his family an exciting day with the Coast Guard.”


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