Local Civil Air Patrol members receive prestigious awards
By Sue Buetler
Several members of the Gastonia Civil Air Patrol group recently received a number of recognitions.
During a regular meeting of the Gastonia Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Brianna Smith of Mt. Holly was presented with the Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet Medal. This award is presented to a cadet of outstanding ability and achievement in a non-ROTC military-affiliated cadet program. The recipient must have distinguished him or herself through outstanding leadership, honor, service, courage and patriotism. Despite the challenges of a year of Covid lockdowns and cancellations, C/CMSgt. Smith stuck with the program, participated in online meetings, and continued to advance and meet goals even when that required stepping outside of a comfort zone. C/CMSgt. Smith has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 2018. She was formerly the First Sergeant and now serves as the Squadron’s Cadet Executive Officer.
Squadron Commander, Lt. Michael Hadrick said of C/CMSgt. Smith “she been active within the squadron since the day she joined. She consistently steps up when volunteers are needed, and is persistent in her quest to advance her Civil Air Patrol education and training. C/CMSgt. Smith is a valued asset to the squadron, and I have no doubt that she will soon reach her next goal of advancing from the cadet enlisted ranks to becoming a cadet officer”.
The Gastonia Civil Air Patrol Squadron is also proud to announce the promotion of William Smith to the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. Cadet Smith was promoted and was presented the General Billy Mitchell Award, which is earned after the completion of the first eight achievements of the cadet program. In addition, the cadet must pass a comprehensive 100-question examination covering leadership theory and aerospace topics. To further highlight the significance of this accomplishment, only fifteen percent of cadets nationwide earn the Billy Mitchell Award. The rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant marks the progression to the cadet officer ranks. The Billy Mitchell Award was presented to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Smith during the squadron’s June leadership meeting by Civil Air Patrol Group One Commander Lt. Col. Carlisle Lincoln.
The General Billy Mitchell Award has existed since 1964. This award honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer, advocate, and staunch supporter of an independent air force for America. This is the first milestone of the Cadet Program. Any cadet who has received this award is eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enter the US Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in AFROTC, various CAP scholarships, and CAP special activity opportunities.
C/2nd Lt. Smith joined Civil Air Patrol in October of 2016. He currently serves on the Squadron’s cadet staff. C/2nd Lt. Smith is a graduate of Highland School of Technology, and is currently working toward a commercial pilot’s license.
During a meeting of the Gastonia Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, Cadet Major Ben Heckel was presented with Civil Air Patrol’s Amelia Earhart Award, named for the record-setting aviator and one of the first female heroes of aviation. The Earhart Award marks completion of Phase III of the CAP Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Further, Earhart Award cadets must have passed comprehensive written examinations on leadership and aerospace topics. In granting Civil Air Patrol permission to name this milestone award in Amelia’s honor, her sister said that it would’ve been, “the kind of award Amelia would have chosen for herself.”
Having earned the Amelia Earhart Award, Heckel was promoted to the grade of cadet captain. He has since further promoted to the grade of Cadet Major. Since joining Civil Air Patrol in 2016, C/Maj. Heckel has grown to be respected among the cadets as well as the senior members. He has participated in not only local events, but state and national activities as well, most recently attending the week long Civil Engineering Academy at Tyndall Air Force Base. C/Maj. Heckel currently serves as the Cadet Commander for the Gastonia Squadron. He is a rising senior at Gaston Day School and member of the school’s cross country team. C/Maj. Heckel is also a member of the GCP Lacrosse team.
The award was presented by Lt. Col. Focke, North Carolina Wing Vice Commander. Squadron Commander Lt. Michael Hadrick said “I have watched Cadet Heckel progress steadily up the enlisted ranks and into the officer ranks, and he’s still climbing. He stayed focused on his goals and worked hard during the pandemic to reach this level and continues to advance and take on more responsibility. As Cadet Commander he is a role model for the entire cadet corps and directs and coordinates a team of cadet officers and NCOs.”
The Gastonia Civil Air Patrol Squadron is also proud to announce the promotion of Cade Caudle to the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel. Cadet Caudle was promoted and was presented the General Ira C. Eaker Award, which is earned after the completion of Phase IV of the cadet program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Further, cadets will have graduated from an academically-intensive leadership academy to qualify for this honor, which is especially appropriate considering that today, the Air Force celebrates Gen Eaker’s legacy by naming the service’s top school for commanders in his honor – the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development at Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. To stand in General Eaker’s shadow is to study leadership carefully and serve others. The General Ira C. Eaker Award was presented to Cadet Lt. Col. Caudle during the squadron’s July leadership meeting by Lt. Col. Focke on behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Region Commander.
The General Ira C. Eaker Award is the CAP Cadet Program’s second most prestigious award and honors one of the forefathers of an independent Air Force. In 1929 Eaker remained aloft aboard The Question Mark, a modified Atlantic-Fokker C-2A, for nearly a week, to demonstrate a newfound capability of aerial refueling. During WWII, Eaker rose to the grade of lieutenant general and commanded the Eighth Air Force, “The Mighty Eighth” force of strategic bombers. Even as a general, Eaker preferred to lead from the front, personally flying B-17 precision bombing missions over occupied France and Germany.
C/Lt. Col. Caudle has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 2015. He has served on the Gastonia Squadron’s cadet staff, including as Cadet Commander. He has also been a member of the Color Guard, and served in staff positions at many state and regional Civil Air Patrol events. Squadron Commander, Lt. Mike Hadrick remarked that “only about 2% of cadets rise to this level of achievement. They are the best of the best. C/Lt. Col. Caudle fully immersed himself in the cadet program, took advantage of many of the opportunities the program offers, pursued his goals, and has grown into a fine young adult. As he heads off to college, we will certainly miss him and the leadership, abilities, and fellowship he brought to the squadron. We wish Cadet Caudle all the best and know that he has a bright future ahead of him.” C/Lt. Col. Caudle will be attending California State University - LA this fall where he plans to major in psychology and nursing with a minor in fire science.
About the Civil Air Patrol
Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine Cessna aircraft and more than 2,000 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) and performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 130 lives in fiscal 2020. CAP’s 54,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Members also serve as mentors to over 20,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. One of the premier public service organizations in America, CAP benefits the nation with an estimated economic impact of $209 million annually. For more information on the local squadron, visit www.gastonia.cap.gov.
Several members of the Gastonia Civil Air Patrol group recently received a number of recognitions.
During a regular meeting of the Gastonia Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Brianna Smith of Mt. Holly was presented with the Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet Medal. This award is presented to a cadet of outstanding ability and achievement in a non-ROTC military-affiliated cadet program. The recipient must have distinguished him or herself through outstanding leadership, honor, service, courage and patriotism. Despite the challenges of a year of Covid lockdowns and cancellations, C/CMSgt. Smith stuck with the program, participated in online meetings, and continued to advance and meet goals even when that required stepping outside of a comfort zone. C/CMSgt. Smith has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 2018. She was formerly the First Sergeant and now serves as the Squadron’s Cadet Executive Officer.
Squadron Commander, Lt. Michael Hadrick said of C/CMSgt. Smith “she been active within the squadron since the day she joined. She consistently steps up when volunteers are needed, and is persistent in her quest to advance her Civil Air Patrol education and training. C/CMSgt. Smith is a valued asset to the squadron, and I have no doubt that she will soon reach her next goal of advancing from the cadet enlisted ranks to becoming a cadet officer”.
The Gastonia Civil Air Patrol Squadron is also proud to announce the promotion of William Smith to the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. Cadet Smith was promoted and was presented the General Billy Mitchell Award, which is earned after the completion of the first eight achievements of the cadet program. In addition, the cadet must pass a comprehensive 100-question examination covering leadership theory and aerospace topics. To further highlight the significance of this accomplishment, only fifteen percent of cadets nationwide earn the Billy Mitchell Award. The rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant marks the progression to the cadet officer ranks. The Billy Mitchell Award was presented to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Smith during the squadron’s June leadership meeting by Civil Air Patrol Group One Commander Lt. Col. Carlisle Lincoln.
The General Billy Mitchell Award has existed since 1964. This award honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer, advocate, and staunch supporter of an independent air force for America. This is the first milestone of the Cadet Program. Any cadet who has received this award is eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enter the US Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in AFROTC, various CAP scholarships, and CAP special activity opportunities.
C/2nd Lt. Smith joined Civil Air Patrol in October of 2016. He currently serves on the Squadron’s cadet staff. C/2nd Lt. Smith is a graduate of Highland School of Technology, and is currently working toward a commercial pilot’s license.
During a meeting of the Gastonia Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, Cadet Major Ben Heckel was presented with Civil Air Patrol’s Amelia Earhart Award, named for the record-setting aviator and one of the first female heroes of aviation. The Earhart Award marks completion of Phase III of the CAP Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Further, Earhart Award cadets must have passed comprehensive written examinations on leadership and aerospace topics. In granting Civil Air Patrol permission to name this milestone award in Amelia’s honor, her sister said that it would’ve been, “the kind of award Amelia would have chosen for herself.”
Having earned the Amelia Earhart Award, Heckel was promoted to the grade of cadet captain. He has since further promoted to the grade of Cadet Major. Since joining Civil Air Patrol in 2016, C/Maj. Heckel has grown to be respected among the cadets as well as the senior members. He has participated in not only local events, but state and national activities as well, most recently attending the week long Civil Engineering Academy at Tyndall Air Force Base. C/Maj. Heckel currently serves as the Cadet Commander for the Gastonia Squadron. He is a rising senior at Gaston Day School and member of the school’s cross country team. C/Maj. Heckel is also a member of the GCP Lacrosse team.
The award was presented by Lt. Col. Focke, North Carolina Wing Vice Commander. Squadron Commander Lt. Michael Hadrick said “I have watched Cadet Heckel progress steadily up the enlisted ranks and into the officer ranks, and he’s still climbing. He stayed focused on his goals and worked hard during the pandemic to reach this level and continues to advance and take on more responsibility. As Cadet Commander he is a role model for the entire cadet corps and directs and coordinates a team of cadet officers and NCOs.”
The Gastonia Civil Air Patrol Squadron is also proud to announce the promotion of Cade Caudle to the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel. Cadet Caudle was promoted and was presented the General Ira C. Eaker Award, which is earned after the completion of Phase IV of the cadet program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Further, cadets will have graduated from an academically-intensive leadership academy to qualify for this honor, which is especially appropriate considering that today, the Air Force celebrates Gen Eaker’s legacy by naming the service’s top school for commanders in his honor – the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development at Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. To stand in General Eaker’s shadow is to study leadership carefully and serve others. The General Ira C. Eaker Award was presented to Cadet Lt. Col. Caudle during the squadron’s July leadership meeting by Lt. Col. Focke on behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Region Commander.
The General Ira C. Eaker Award is the CAP Cadet Program’s second most prestigious award and honors one of the forefathers of an independent Air Force. In 1929 Eaker remained aloft aboard The Question Mark, a modified Atlantic-Fokker C-2A, for nearly a week, to demonstrate a newfound capability of aerial refueling. During WWII, Eaker rose to the grade of lieutenant general and commanded the Eighth Air Force, “The Mighty Eighth” force of strategic bombers. Even as a general, Eaker preferred to lead from the front, personally flying B-17 precision bombing missions over occupied France and Germany.
C/Lt. Col. Caudle has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 2015. He has served on the Gastonia Squadron’s cadet staff, including as Cadet Commander. He has also been a member of the Color Guard, and served in staff positions at many state and regional Civil Air Patrol events. Squadron Commander, Lt. Mike Hadrick remarked that “only about 2% of cadets rise to this level of achievement. They are the best of the best. C/Lt. Col. Caudle fully immersed himself in the cadet program, took advantage of many of the opportunities the program offers, pursued his goals, and has grown into a fine young adult. As he heads off to college, we will certainly miss him and the leadership, abilities, and fellowship he brought to the squadron. We wish Cadet Caudle all the best and know that he has a bright future ahead of him.” C/Lt. Col. Caudle will be attending California State University - LA this fall where he plans to major in psychology and nursing with a minor in fire science.
About the Civil Air Patrol
Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine Cessna aircraft and more than 2,000 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) and performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 130 lives in fiscal 2020. CAP’s 54,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Members also serve as mentors to over 20,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. One of the premier public service organizations in America, CAP benefits the nation with an estimated economic impact of $209 million annually. For more information on the local squadron, visit www.gastonia.cap.gov.