Teen cited for leadership,
service, rescue skills
Says Civil Air Patrol brought him out of his shell

By John Basilesco
MethuenLife Writer

Bryan Sullivan hopes he never has to embark on a rescue mission involving a plane crash or some other horrible disaster. But, the Civil Air Patrol cadet from Methuen is ready if he's ever called on for such an emergency.
Sullivan, who turns 17 on May 5, is one of the cadet leaders of the local squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. It is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and it conducts search-and-rescue missions. The local squadron, which is made up of cadets ranging in age from 12 to 21, meets regularly at Lawrence Municipal Airport in North Andover.
Last month, Sullivan was recognized as one of the top cadet leaders of the group. He received two honors at a ceremony held March 21. One was a commendation from the Massachusetts Senate for Sullivan's dedicated service to the Civil Air Patrol and the other was the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, which recognizes cadets for excellence in leadership, mentoring, volunteerism, aerospace education, and knowledge of search-and-rescue techniques. Mitchell, a World War I veteran, is considered the father of the U.S. Air Force.
In 2007, Sullivan traveled to Indiana to learn about search-and-rescue missions at the National Civil Air Patrol Academy. He underwent two weeks of training, which involved basic search and rescue, including first aid and life-saving techniques, and advanced ground searches.
Since then, he has responded to a half-dozen distress signals, which all have turned out to be false alarms. Responding to signals from emergency locator transmitters in planes and boats was good experience, he said. The transmitters are sometimes triggered by accident or in a hard-landing by a plane, for example. Like firefighters responding to false alarms, Civil Air Patrol members have to track down the signals in case there's a real emergency.
The head of the local squadron, Lt. Col. Antoinette Fischer, is full of praise for Sullivan, who is one of three cadet second lieutenants in her group.
"He is very, very well accomplished," she said. "The General Billy Mitchell Award is a milestone for a cadet. It recognizes all-around excellence in leadership, aerospace education, mentoring and more.
"Brian is the cadet I can always depend on to be there. That's the bottom line. If I need someone to do something, I know I can turn to him and I know it will get done."
Sullivan, for example, was instrumental in forming the squadron's first cadet color guard two years ago, Fischer said.
For Sullivan, joining the Civil Air Patrol in 2005 has been a great experience.
"It's an absolutely outstanding program," he said. "It really has taught me to be a better person. It teaches integrity, respect, leadership and about volunteer service."
Before joining, Sullivan said he was shy and reserved. But, after about a year as a cadet, he had gained considerable confidence, Sullivan said. Today, he is one of the top cadet leaders.
John and Marianne Sullivan, Bryan’s parents, are proud of him. His father credits the Civil Air Patrol for bringing his son out of his shell.