MILWAUKEE - Four-year-old Ty Nelson of Kansasville got his first up-close look at an airplane Saturday afternoon. He even got to take the controls, sort of.

But it was talking on the radio to Santa that was the highlight of his visit to the cockpit of a KC-135R Stratotanker, a plane designed to refuel jet fighters and other aircraft in the air.

Ty, the son of Gary and Jennifer, was one of 40 children with life-threatening illnesses from throughout southeastern Wisconsin invited for the "Flight to The North Pole" program at the headquarters of the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard at General Mitchell International Airport. Enlisted and civilian employees of the 128th along with members of the local chapter of the Silverliners International, a group of retired flight attendants, put on the event, which is in its 24th year.

The program includes a ride on a decorated Stratotanker renamed the "Santa Liner" for the event. Logistics and liability prevent the Air National Guard from actually taking the children up for a flight, said Lt. John Capra, the public affairs officer for wing. But they do get a 40-minute ride on the taxiway, during which they can visit the cockpit.

The kids don't actually get to operate the plane, but they do get to put their hands on a non-operating steering wheel. They also get to put on headphones and talk via radio to "Santa," who was sitting in the nearby airfield management office at the base.

While the children and their families waited to be shuttled by bus to the plane, they were entertained by a magician, a balloon artist, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and received a goody bag. Several guard members also visited with the kids and families. Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilson was able to explain parts of a plane on a wall photograph to a curious Ty.

After they "landed," another bus shuttled the kids and families to the "North Pole," actually the wing's dining hall where they were entertained by members of an Army Band, got to visit with Santa and were serenaded by carols from base staff and volunteers.

Capra said that more than 75 volunteers make the day possible. That includes some of the air wing's 265 full-time staff members - enlisted and civilian - as well as part-time guard members and volunteers from the community.

"We have almost the same volunteers every year. They're here one year and they get hooked on it," said Capra.

While the 128th Air Wing does other outreach programs to the community, including hosting field trips and visiting schools, the Flight to The North Pole event brings out lots of excitement among the air wing community. They're busy decorating the various buildings at the base days before the event.

"This is probably the best day, I think, to be here at the 128th," said Col, Murry Mitten, wing commander. "And it has nothing to with flying airplanes or doing a mission. But we truly are making a difference. If this doesn't bring you back down to Earth and make you appreciate the little things and puts a little humility in you, nothing will."

While a few of the children at Saturday's event showed signs of fatigue or of the effects of recent medical treatments, Ty appears to be on the rebound.

"All his hair has grown back and he's acting more and more like himself," said Gary Nelson.

About this time last year, the Nelsons noticed that Ty appeared pale and was limping. His parents took him to his pediatrician, but it wasn't until after a couple of preliminary tests that a blood test detected leukemia. The diagnosis was confirmed in February.

Following an initial hospitalization, Ty underwent more than six months of weekly visits to Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa for chemotherapy via spinal tap and IV. His treatments are now reduced to twice a month, a routine he will have to follow for three years. Gary Nelson said Ty also has to take steroids once a month, which can have an effect on his moods.

The Nelsons said that the staff at Children's alerted them about Saturday's program. Accompanying Ty and his parents were his twin sister, Avery, his older sister, Lauren, 7, and his grandparents, Duane and Terri of Union Grove.

On the Net:

128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard:

http://www.128arw.ang.af.mil