The Peachtree City-Falcon Field Composite Squadron has been named the nation’s premier Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron.

The unit has won the 2008 National Squadron of Distinction Award for outstanding accomplishments in the cadet program.

Southeast Region Commander Col James Rushing; Georgia Wing Commander Col. James Hughes; and Group III Commander Lt. Col. Joe Knight Jr. were on hand at a recent meeting to present the squadron with this prestigious award.

Also in attendance were U.S. Congressman Lynn Westmoreland and Georgia State Senator Ronnie Chance. The congressman and senator presented squadron member Cadet Captain Aaron Pendleton with the Amelia Earhart Award. The Earhart Award is the third highest award a cadet may earn in CAP.

Cadets must meet stringent leadership, academic, and physical fitness requirements, and also pass an arduous 100-question comprehensive exam to merit this award.

The congressman and senator also presented Cadet 2nd Lt. Robert Fetters, and 2nd Lt. Nathan Rowe with the General Billy Mitchell Award.

The Mitchell Award is the second milestone award of the cadet program. The award is earned after completing the first eight achievements of the cadet program, and passing a 100 question examination testing leadership theory and aerospace topics.

Civil Air Patrol is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP’s primary missions are: emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs.

The cadet program is designed to foster leadership and good citizenship in America’s youth from ages 12 to 21 using aerospace education, Air Force role models and emphasis on public service. CAP’s ethics are built on a foundation of accountability, integrity, fairness and excellence.

Throughout the program, cadets learn to function in a military-type environment. As cadets progress, they earn ribbons, awards, and increased grade; rewarding their commitment and achievement in the program. Cadets engage in orientation flights; attend encampments and train/participate in search and rescue missions.

Civil Air Patrol conducts approximately 95 percent of inland search and rescue missions in the U.S. (as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and other agencies).

Also, Civil Air Patrol performs aerial reconnaissance for homeland security; provides disaster relief support to local, state, and national organizations; transports time-sensitive medical materials; provides damage assessment, light transport, communications support and low-altitude route surveys for the U.S. Air Force.

Moreover, Civil Air Patrol assists federal agencies in the war on drugs; and maintains the most extensive VHF and HF communications network in the nation.

Civil Air Patrol has been serving America through search and rescue, aerospace education, and youth outreach for over six decades. CAP has grown into one of America’s largest public service organizations, and proudly bears the distinction of being the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

Visit Civil Air Patrol on the web at www.cap.gov. Also, visit Peachtree City-Falcon Field Composite Squadron at www.gawg.cap.gov/GA116.

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