Yuma Tanaka, 18, left, tours an F-15 with Capt. Tony “Stab” Hebert, right, Friday at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. Tanaka’s trip was made possible by Make-A-Wish Foundation Japan, the Air Force and the Navy. (Erik Slavin / S&S)
KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — Yuma Tanaka, 18, spends most weekdays at the Kihoko Nursing School in mainland Japan’s Wakayama prefecture, where he learns and receives treatment for muscular dystrophy.
On Friday, Tanaka lived the life of a United States flying ace.
Thanks to a joint effort among the Make-A-Wish Foundation Japan, the Navy and the Air Force, Tanaka toured the Kadena flightline with his family, getting a close-up look at some of his favorite aircraft.
“Yuma couldn’t sleep last night, he was so excited,” said Junko Kinjo, an Okinawa volunteer with Make-A-Wish Foundation Japan.
From the moment Tanaka arrived at the Navy’s Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa building, he was treated like a VIP.
Navy Capt. Robert Wilson presented Tanaka with a Navy flight jacket and other gifts. Later, the Air Force showered him with posters and paraphernalia, including a 67th Fighting Cocks Squadron baseball cap.
But the Navy wasn’t done yet: By the time Tanaka reached their flightline, his newest cap made him an honorary member of the Navy’s Flying Tigers.
“He likes aircraft much more than I thought. I was surprised,” said Michiko Tanaka, Yuma’s mother. “His father liked movies and footage of aircraft and Yuma was really influenced by that.”
One of Tanaka’s favorite movies is “Top Gun,” which made touring one of the Air Force’s F-15s and meeting its pilots one of the day’s highlights. Tanaka’s loosely translated remarks amounted to: “These guys are really cool.”
“I’m just happy his wish was to a see a fighter jet,” said Capt. Tony “Stab” Hebert. “It makes me feel good about what I do.”
Tanaka also toured the Navy’s C-12 passenger plane, a KC-135 refueler and an HH-60 helicopter.
Like most approved wishes, Tanaka’s came true very quickly, Kinjo said.
“Most of the children cannot wait very long,” Kinjo said. “So when the request comes from headquarters, we act on it immediately.”
Although Tanaka is in relatively stable condition, Kinjo accelerated the process with help from her friend, Shannon Ganun.
Her husband, Navy Cmdr. Edward Ganun, had the foundation’s request approved within two weeks.
As much as the granted wish excited Tanaka, it was really a granted wish for his entire family, Kinjo said.
“Many of these families don’t see very many smiles together, because they’re in hospitals so much,” Kinjo said. “But when Make-A-Wish children come to us, they are always smiling, and that makes the entire family much happier.”
Tanaka’s brothers, Tomoto and Shugo, said they enjoyed the experience almost much as he did.
“We’re very thankful and appreciate everyone who supported this,” said Tomoto Tanaka, 16.
For information on supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation Japan, call (098)
