“Every person can make a difference, and every person should try.” — John F. Kennedy.
F-F junior Alex Pearce personifies that quote through his role in assisting with search-and-rescue operations throughout the year as as an active member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), which is a congressionally chartered, federally funded, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and serves as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
In his role with CAP, he works primarily on search-and-rescue efforts, which include locating lost hikers, identifying and assisting at crash sites, and assisting with finding missing boaters. He trains throughout the year in the Hudson Valley region and throughout eastern New York.
How did you get involved with the Civil Air Patrol?
Initially, I saw it through social media and then became active in the program with former Fonda-Fultonville student Rory Gratton. For the past two years, I’ve been heavily involved in the Civil Air Patrol program.
Any significant rescues?
There have been a number of activities that we are contacted to assist in search-and-rescue missions. This year, we were actively participating in two searches with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for two crashed planes.
What are your plans moving forward?
I’m preparing to participate in training exercises for flight line marshalling for ground operations, and I’m working to complete my drone certification. As a junior, I’m also taking time to review which colleges would best fit my background and where I can find the best opportunity for career advancement. As of today, I’m thinking of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and it would be amazing if I could be accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for engineering.
About CAP
The Civil Air Patrol was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, to mobilize the nation’s civilian aviation resources for national defense service and has evolved into a premier public service organization operating throughout the United States. Alex’s CAP group is stationed at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, NY which is home to the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard. Learn more at www.gocivilairpatrol.com.