Cleveland Composite Squadron’s C/Col. Phillip Moshenskiy was awarded the General Carl A. Spaatz award Tuesday. Kevin Brooks, mayor of Cleveland, was honored to present the award.
Distinguished guests included Col. Dent Young (previously commander of Tennessee Wing CAP, TNWG), Col. Barry Melton (previously Southeast Region CAP Commander, TNWG Commander and National Board Member) and current TNWG Commander Col. Rob Borsari. Squadron TN-173 Commander is 1st Lt. Debbie Jones. Squadron Commander 1st Lt. Jones presided over the ceremony.
Cadets qualify for this award after progressing through 16 achievements in the CAP Cadet Program. The final step is an exam including a physical fitness test, an essay exam testing moral reasoning and comprehensive written exams on leadership and aerospace education. The Spaatz Award is named in honor of Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, the first chief of staff of the United States Air Force. Less than 2,300 cadets have received this award since 1964.
"Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to non-military threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage and provide humanitarian assistance," officials said.