Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing

(L-R) C/Capt David Johnson, Earhart Award recipient and
Col. Tom Theis, Minnesota Wing Commander.
RED WING HONORS
Red Wing cadets receive
honors in double ceremony
Captain Richard J. Sprouse
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2
During a double presentation ceremony on
August 20th, two Red Wing Squadron cadets were
honored for their commitment.
Cadet David Johnson received the Earhart
Award, which honors the late Amelia Earhart, a
pioneer who set many records for women pilots in
aviation’s infancy.
To receive the award, cadets must, among
other criteria pass a rigorous 100-question examination
covering aerospace topics, leadership
theory and staff duties. Once a cadet earns the
Earhart Award, he or she is promoted to the grade
of cadet captain.
Recognized with the Mitchell Award during
the ceremony was Cadet David Nelson.
The Mitchell Award is given to Civil Air Patrol
cadets who have completed the first eight achievements
of the cadet program. The cadet milestone
is named after a pioneer in aviation and an early
supporter of an independent Air Force.
Cadets must pass a comprehensive 100 question
exam covering aerospace topics and leadership
theory. Cadets earning the Mitchell Award are
promoted to the rank of cadet second lieutenant.
(L-R) C/2nd Lt David Nelson, Mitchell Award recipient and
Lt. Col. John Barsness, Group IV Commander.
Any cadet who earns this award, and who later
enters CAP’s Senior Officer ranks, is eligible for
immediate promotion to CAP 2nd Lt at age 21. In
addition, recipients of this award are eligible for
advanced placement to the grade of airman first
class (E-3) should they choose to enter the U.S. Air
Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit
in AFROTC, various CAP scholarships, and CAP
special activity opportunities.
The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of
the U.S. Air Force. Its missions are aerospace education,
emergency services, and the cadet program.
The 16-segment cadet program provides
opportunities for the learning, maturing, accepting
and nurturing of leadership to more than 26,000
Americans from ages 12 to 21.
There are approximately 1,300 members of
CAP in Minnesota. Minnesota Wing routinely
flies thousands of hours per year of operational
flights, and contributes some 10,000 + personhours
to search and rescue, counter drug, disaster
preparedness, homeland security, and other
humanitarian mission flying.
Attending the ceremony was Col. Thomas
Theis, Minnesota Wing Commander; Lt. Col.
Blaze Cunningham, Minnesota Wing Director
of Aerospace Education, Lt. Col. John Barsness,
Group IV Commander; Maj. Jeff Bartelt, Group
IV Deputy Commander; Lt. Col. Don Mikitta,
Wing Chaplain; and Maj. Bryce Duncan, Red
Wing Squadron Commander.
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