News

Reserve pilot gets mission equipped after defeating cancer

  • Published
  • By Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Ten years after airdropping emergency medical supplies at the South Pole for a physician who was diagnosed with cancer, the 97th Airlift Squadron scrambled to help one of its own deal with cancer.

While deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze in February 2009, Lt. Col. Joe Nauman, an assistant operations officer and C-17 Globemaster III pilot with the 97th AS, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which took him off of flying status. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphoid tissue, which includes the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system.

After three rounds of chemotherapy, 25 radiation treatments, and medical clearance from the flight surgeon, Colonel Nauman has been back in the pilot seat since January. However, his check ride evaluation, which tests pilot mission readiness was March 10.

"My first flight since getting back on flying status was, for the most part, surreal," said the 10-year Air Force Reservist. "It was great being in a plane again. This flight starts the process to get me back to mission ready and being able to support the Reserve mission."

The Puyallup, Wash. resident was unsure if he'd end up back on the flight deck, much less be mission ready, but he continued to keep up to speed with his training and qualifications.

"I kept up with my certifications and training like (flight) simulator time," he said. "I wanted to be ready if the time came."

People from his squadron helped him get through the processes mentally of cancer and being grounded.

"I've known (Colonel Nauman) since he was first assigned to the squadron," said Maj. Gene Ballou, 97th AS examiner pilot and close friend of Colonel Nauman. "I helped by being there to listen to his concerns, offer encouragement and advice when he asked it."

Colonel Nauman says he's fortunate to have his extended families, the Air Force and his church, along with his children to support him.

"My squadron supported me from the beginning," he said. "They were a great group of people to work with even before my illness. I'm also in a church, whose members have spoken with me. Of course my son and daughter are great kids who make me smile every day."

With one more flight under Colonel Nauman's belt, Lt. Col. Garin Tentschert, 97th AS chief pilot explains his value as a pilot to the squadron.

"It's important for any squadron to possess its own unique culture and Joe definitely adds a great level of that," said the Maple Valley, Wash resident. "He's the kind of guy who never gives up, and it's served him well through his long road to recovery. We're glad to have him back doing what he does best."

The never-give-up attitude paid off. Colonel Nauman passed his check ride.