Photo: Cadets 2nd Lts Graysen and Wyatt Crawford with Monte Belew.
By Cadet Second Lieutenant Wyatt Crawford, CAP
Former Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew, along with squadron members and guests gathered recently at the Grant Grissom Hangar near the Paris-Henry County Airport in Cottage Grove to celebrate the achievements of two brothers that are cadets from the Henry County Composite Squadron.
Belew, now senior advisor to Congressman David Kustoff, presented the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell award to Cadet Second Lieutenant Wyatt Crawford. Belew said, “It is an honor to be here and be a part of the program.”
Wyatt is a sixteen-year old Junior from Springville. He earned his Billy Mitchell Award on 1 June, 2024, just hours after his older brother Graysen was awarded his Billy Mitchell Award by Tennessee Group Commander Major Larry J. Andrews. Graysen had earned his award on 18 May stating “it was what my dad wanted for his birthday.”
The Mitchell Award marks the completion of Phase II of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Program. In order to earn this award, for each of the nine previous achievement levels, cadets must have passed tests in leadership, aerospace, and fitness, as well as participate in character development trainings. In addition, Mitchell cadets must have passed comprehensive examinations on leadership and aerospace topics and have completed a week long encampment. Only 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets achieve the Mitchell Award.
The U.S. Air Force respects Mitchell Award recipients’ accomplishments. Mitchell cadets who enlist in the Air Force enter the service at the advanced grade of E-3, Airman First Class. The service also looks favorably upon Mitchell cadets when evaluating Air Force Reserve Officer Training Core (AFROTC) and Air Force Academy applicants.
As recipients of the Mitchell Award, both Crawford cadets have been elevated to the rank of cadet officer and promoted to the grade of Cadet Second Lieutenant. As officers, they are taking on more responsibilities, and are being challenged to lead and serve junior-ranking cadets, while continuing to develop into “dynamic American and aerospace leaders.”
Major Charlton Young, Commander of the Henry County Composite Squadron said, “In the two years since the Crawford cadets have joined the squadron, I have noticed that they seem to stand out from the group. Whenever assistance is needed, they immediately step forward. They are developing leadership characteristics and their dedication to rank and advancement is exemplary and a credit to their personal goals in life. I am very proud to see these two cadets attain the Billy Mitchell Award and I look forward to presenting other milestone awards to these two dedicated young men.”
Belew also awarded both cadets Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition honoring their achievements.
Henry County Composite Squadron meets the first and third Saturday of every month from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at 175 Flatwoods Lane, Paris, TN 38242. For more information visit us on Facebook at Henry County Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. “If you are interested in aerospace and leadership, come and meet people that are interested in the same things!” said Cadet 2nd Lt Wyatt Crawford.
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. CAP’s 57,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. CAP also plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to 24,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.