Another Successful Missouri Wing Conference
Over 120 members and guests participated in Missouri Wing, Civil Air Patrol’s, annual conference held March 22-23, 2024, at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri.
Friday evening included a social hour and event registration. Saturday morning began with a general session where Missouri Wing commander Colonel Jennifer Smith and North Central Region commander Colonel John O’Neill welcomed the attendees. The National Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Todd H. Parsons, presented the national headquarters’ briefing reviewing CAP’s successes over the last year and future endeavors. The morning session concluded with several members recognized with awards.
The afternoon session consisted of multiple breakout sessions including presentations on CAP and Missouri Wing history, CAP STEM kits, CAP’s involvement in the recent solar eclipse, communications, small unmanned aerial systems (drones), proper use of social media, chaplain opportunities, cadet programs, professional development, glider and tow plot opportunities, and a commander’s call with the Missouri wing commander that also included the current and incoming North Central Region commanders.
100 members and guests attended the annual Saturday evening banquet and awards ceremony featuring Colonel Keith Butler, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, as the guest speaker. Colonel Butler spoke inspirationally about personal failures and determination.
Special guests during the day’s events also included: Chief Master Sergeant Jessica Settle, Missouri Air National Guard command chief; Chief Master Sergeant Robert Dandridge, CAP Board of Governors and former CAP National command chief; Colonel Thomas Theis, North Central Region vice commander and incoming North Central Region commander; Colonel Thomas Weston, North Central Region chief of staff; Chief Master Sergeant Michael Mudry, North Central Region command chief; former Missouri Wing commanders Colonels John Mais, Thomas Martin, and Erica Williams: Lt. Colonel (ret.) Cris Brayman, North Central Liaison Region Operations director, CAP-USAF; and Lt. Colonel Brian Conn, North Central Liaison Region Reserve Forces director, CAP-USAF.
Link for photos: https://photos.cap.gov/North-Central-Region/Missouri-Wing/Missouri-Wing-Conference/2024-MOWG-Conference
Highlights from the conference included:
• Commander’s Commendation Award: Captain Eric Hauquitz, Wentzville Composite Squadron; and 2nd Lieutenant Jacob Mong, Harry S. Truman Composite Squadron.
• Regional Commander’s Commendation Award: Major Mark Wilkinson, Group II Headquarters; and Chaplain (Captain) Mark Bradshaw, Barry-Lawrence Composite Squadron.
• National Commander’s Commendation Award: Cadet 1st Lieutenant Justin Miller, Sedalia Cadet Flight.
• Meritorious Service Award: Chaplain (Colonel) David Van Horn, Saline County Composite Squadron.
• General Billy Mitchell Award and promotion to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant: Cadet Dominic Santulli, Platte Valley Composite Squadron.
• Amelia Earhart Award and promotion to Cadet Captain: Cadet Walker Goss, Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron.
• Promotion of 1st Lieutenant Beth Hamilton to Captain, Springfield Regional Composite Squadron.
• Paul E. Garber Award and completion of CAP Senior Member Professional Development Level 4 training: Captain Charles Gordon, Ft. Leonard Wood Composite Squadron.
Annual Missouri Wing unit award winners included:
• Unit with the Best Social Media for the Year: Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron.
• Aerospace Education Activity of the Year: Lake Ozark Regional Composite Squadron.
• Aerospace Education Achievement Award: Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron, Ft. Leonard Wood Composite Squadron, Harry S. Truman Composite Squadron, Laclede County Composite Squadron, Lake Ozark Regional Composite Squadron, Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron, Platte Valley Composite Squadron, Saline County Composite Squadron, Springfield Regional Composite Squadron, Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron.
• Quality Cadet Unit Award: Barry-Lawrence Composite Squadron, Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron, Ft. Leonard Wood Composite Squadron, Laclede County Composite Squadron, Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron, Platte Valley Composite Squadron, Sedalia Cadet Flight, Springfield Regional Composite Squadron, Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron.
• Unit Citation Award: Lake Ozark Regional Composite Squadron.
• Cadet Program of the Year: Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron.
• Senior Program of the Year: Gateway Senior Squadron.
• Squadron of Merit Award: Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron.
• Squadron of the Year: Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron.
Annual Missouri Wing individual award winners included:
• Recruiting Officer of the Year: Senior Member Riley Cruz, Harry S. Truman Composite Squadron.
• Personnel Officer of the Year: 1st Lieutenant Clayton Woodbridge, Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron.
• Information Technology Officer of the Year: 2nd Lieutenant Phil O’Connell, Platte Valley Composite Squadron.
• Property Management Officer of the Year: 2nd Lieutenant Stephanie O’Connell, Platte Valley Composite Squadron.
• Aircraft Management Officer of the Year: 1st Lieutenant Bryan McDonald, Gateway Senior Squadron.
• Transportation Officer of the Year: 2nd Lieutenant Josh Douglas, Sedalia Cadet Flight.
• Legislative Officers of the Year: Major Don Mayhew and Major Bill Owen, Missouri Wing Legislative Squadron.
• Historian of the Year: Major Nelson Colon, Ft. Leonard Wood Composite Squadron.
• Communications Officer of the Year: 2nd Lieutenant Tayler Porter, Sedalia Cadet Flight.
• Education & Training Officer of the Year: Captain Jon Pennington, Gateway Senior Squadron.
• Public Affairs Officer of the Year: Major Henry Cole, Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron.
• Health Services Officer of the Year: Captain Beth Hamilton, Springfield Regional Composite Squadron.
• Safety Officer of the Year: 1st Lieutenant Victoria Ocasio, Platte Valley Composite Squadron.
• Colonel David Small Jr. sUAS Crewmember of the Year: Lieutenant Colonel Charles Harter, St. Francois Senior Flight.
• Orientation Pilot of the Year (Powered): Lieutenant Colonel Bryce Herkert, Springfield Regional Composite Squadron.
• Orientation Pilot of the Year (Glider): 2nd Lieutenant Michael Ketteman, Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron.
• Frank G. Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award – Cadet: Cadet 1st Lieutenant Rhian Fletcher, Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron.
• Chaplain of the Year: Chaplain (Captain) Mark Bradshaw, Barry-Lawrence Composite Squadron.
• John V. “Jack” Sorenson Cadet Programs Officer of the Year: Lieutenant Colonel Lanna Fletcher, Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron.
• Cadet NCO of the Year: Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Abigael Nievar. Table Rock Lak*e Composite Squadron.
• Cadet Junior Officer of the Year: Cadet 1st Lieutenant. Layla Cranston, Lee’s Summit Composite Squadron.
• Squadron Commander of the Year: Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Sidenstricker, Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron.
• Torch Award: Captain Liz Johnson, Missouri Wing Headquarters/
• Cadet of the Year: Cadet Lieutenant Colonel David Butler, Sedalia Cadet Flight.
• Lt. Col. John Otradovec Lifetime Achievement Award: Lieutenant Colonel Michael McCrady, Central Missouri Composite Squadron.
