West experiences Wings as Pilot for a Day

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Lile
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Drake West, who suffers from cerebral palsy, never lets any of his physical disadvantages slow him down and with the help of Columbus Air Force Base through the Pilot for a Day program, Drake added something new to his long list of accomplishments Sept. 13.

"Today is great; I love having opportunities like this," said West. "My favorite part of today was seeing the fire station on base. I am a firefighter at the Hatley volunteer fire department. My old youth pastor was a firefighter and inspired me to make it happen."

Pilot for a Day is a program here at Columbus Air Force Base where Airmen like Capt. Alan Pippin, 50th Flying Training Squadron T-38 instructor pilot, get to give medically disabled youth the thrill of being a pilot.

"Seeing how happy this experience made Drake was incredible," said Pippin. "We probably get more out of days like this than he does."

Pippin is one of the pilots that gets the pleasure of showing disabled youth what being a pilot is all about.

"Being a part of the Pilot for a Day program is humbling," said Pippin. "Most people don't expect youth with disabilities to accomplish their goals, but Drake is an Emergency Medical Technician, firefighter and a search-and-rescue operator."

West is not your average youth, and he has never let his disabilities hold him back from accomplishing his dreams. Along with being involved with the fire station, West also has been diving and is a power lifter.

"He has probably accomplished much more than a non-disabled young man his age," said Lisa Moore, his Nana. "If someone was to tell Drake that he couldn't do something, he would do everything in his power to find a way to prove them wrong."

West thrives on meeting people like Pippin for motivation to continue in his accomplishments. Just as Drake looked to his old youth pastor to become a fire fighter he now looks to his power lifting coach.

"I look to my power lifting coach, Joe Morrow, for motivation and guidance," said West. "I have a national record set at 55 pounds for power lifting in my weight division."

Pippin and other pilots involved in Pilot for a Day seek out to find more inspirational people like West to get involved in the program.

The Pilot for a Day program is something for West to remember for the rest of his life.

"West enjoyed today so much, I don't think he will ever forget it," said Moore.
Columbus AFB does the Pilot for a Day program about every six months and searches for more eligible applicants at children's hospitals and the Make a Wish foundation.

"It's awesome, I'm amazed," said West. "Thanks to Columbus AFB for letting me come out and do this."