From left, 2nd Lt. Finn Johnson, a resident of Cassadaga, homeschooled; 2nd Lt. Amelia Mattison Garza, a resident of Frewsburg, 11th-grade Frewsburg High School; and 2nd Lt. Aiden Maybach, a resident of Bemus Point, an 11th grade Chautauqua Central High School, Feb. 8 received the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol’s Billy Mitchell Award. The Cadets are part of the United States Air Force Reserves, Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Jamestown Composite Squadron 402. Submitted photo

Four United States Air Force Reserves Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Jamestown Composite Squadron 402 cadets have been honored by the Air Force’s CAP community.

Second Lt. Finn Johnson, a resident of Cassadaga who is homeschooled; 2nd Lt. Amelia Mattison Garza of Frewsburg; and 2nd Lt. Aiden Maybach, a resident of Bemus Point, an 11th grader at Chautauqua Central High School, all received the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol’s Billy Mitchell Award recently in Buffalo. Only 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets earn the award.

According to cap.gov, the Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell Award is earned by Civil Air Patrol cadets who have successfully completed the second phase of the cadet program. It marks the end of the enlisted phase of the cadet program; cadets are promoted to cadet second lieutenants upon receipt and, by extension, become cadet officers. The award is given in honor of Maj Gen William “Billy” Mitchell, former deputy chief of the Army Air Service and military aviation visionary. To earn the award, cadets must pass a series of leadership, aerospace and physical fitness tests and attend character development training for each achievement, from cadet airman basic to cadet chief master sergeant. In addition, cadets must attend a military-style encampment before this award is made and have maintained active membership in the Civil Air Patrol for at least 18 months since joining.

Additionally, Mitchell cadets who chose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Coast Guard are promoted to E-3 upon enlistment and completion of basic training. Mitchell cadets enlisting in the Marine Corps, Navy, or Army are promoted to the pay grade of E-2 upon completing basic training. A silver star is worn on the ribbon to denote successful completion of Cadet Officer School.

“It’s a real honor for me to see these cadets reach this milestone,” said Lt. Ellen Maternowski, Jamestown Composite Squadron 402 commander. “I’ve been involved with CAP for 26 years, and I’ve had maybe 20 to 25 or so cadets earn this award.”

Maternowski said that it is great to see shy, reserved, and introverted cadets enter the program and blossom and evolve into leaders. Maternowski also said one other 402 Composite Squadron cadet received the Billy Mitchell Award but could not attend the ceremony because of school obligations.

“Second Lieutenant Lilly Runkel, who is in college now, was unable to make the ceremony, but she also has revived the award,” said Maternowski. “Runkel is a 2024 graduate of Fredonia High School.”

CAP is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which include search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth. In addition, CAP has recently been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code, and its purposes are defined by Title 36.