Carl the anteater

Carl Hess demonstrates his newly-acquired ability to survive by eating ants found in the surrounding area, Feb. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. During an event with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. U.S. Air Force survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists from JBLM also taught Carl how to find water sources, how to build a shelter and how to start a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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Carl Hess sits in the cockpit of a C-17 flight simulator Feb. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Carl spent the day at McChord Field living out his wish as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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MRE lunch

Carl Hess eats a Meal, Ready to Eat with members of the survival, escape, resistance and evasion shop Feb. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Carl's day began with a simulated C-17 flight to Hawaii, followed by his MRE lunch, and with field survival training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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Reading a map

Master Sgt. Charles Pfennig, 62nd Operations Support Squadron, survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, shows Carl Hess and his stepfather, James Sullivan, how to use a map to navigate Feb. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Survival training was part of Carl's wish through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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Selecting the fuel for the fire

Master Sgt. Charles Pfennig, 62nd Operations Support Squadron, survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, talks to Carl Hess and his stepfather, James Sullivan, about the different sizes of wood needed to light a fire Feb. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. SERE specialists teach these same techniques to military members serving around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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Preparing for fire

Carl Hess experiments with different types of fire starters, Feb. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Carl received survival, evasion, resistance and escape training from U.S. Air Force SERE specialists at McChord Field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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Sending distress signal

Master Sgt. Charles Pfennig, 62nd Operations Support Squadron, survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, teaches Carl Hess how to lay out proper distress signals Feb. 11, 2013, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Pfennig showed Carl the different materials that can be used and explained what the signals meant. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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Staking the tent

Carl Hess ties down the corner of a tent Feb. 11, 2012 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Carl also learned how to start a fire and how to find food and water sources. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

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McChord Airmen help make wish come true

Published Feb. 12, 2013

Carl the anteater

MRE lunch

Reading a map

Selecting the fuel for the fire

Preparing for fire

Sending distress signal

Staking the tent