Two Union City cadets, 18-year-old Graysen Crawford and 17-yearold Wyatt Crawford, were recognized with the Ira C. Eaker Award during a visit to the Tullahoma Composite Squadron’s weekly meeting. The award is earned by only two percent of all Civil Air Patrol cadets and is one of the highest promotions available in the cadet program — a milestone surpassed only by the Spaatz Award. The ceremony highlighted not only their accomplishments, but also the character, leadership, and perseverance that brought them to this point.

The General Ira C. Eaker Award is the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program’s second most prestigious honor, recognizing both exceptional achievement and the legacy of one of the Air Force’s earliest pioneers. In 1929, Eaker and thenMajor Carl Spaatz helped prove the revolutionary concept of aerial refueling by remaining aloft for nearly a week aboard The Question Mark, a modified Atlantic-Fokker C2A. During World War II, Eaker rose to the rank of lieutenant general and commanded the famed Eighth Air Force, “The Mighty Eighth.” Leading from the front, Eaker personally flew B17 missions over occupied Europe.

The Eaker Award marks the completion of Phase IV of the CAP Cadet Program and recognizes sustained excellence in all four pillars of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Cadets who earn this honor will also have completed an academically intensive leadership academy — which is especially appropriate as the U.S. Air Force continues to honor Eaker’s legacy through the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development at Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. To stand in General Eaker’s shadow is to study leadership carefully and serve others.

Since the award’s inception in 1998, fewer than 5,000 cadets have earned the Eaker Award, underscoring the rarity and signifi cance of this accomplishment. After earning the Eaker Award, cadets are promoted to the grade of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and assume greater responsibility for leading and serving junior-ranking cadets both in their home squadron and throughout their wing.

In Tennessee, only seven cadets currently hold the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel out of 600 cadets statewide, making this achievement especially notable. Even more remarkable, these two recipients — Graysen and Wyatt Crawford — are brothers.

After achieving the Eaker Award, only the prestigious Spaatz Award remains — the final and most challenging milestone in the CAP cadet journey.

Captain Norris Carden, squadron commander of the Tullahoma Composite Squadron, welcomed the cadets and their families and expressed his pride in their achievement. “We are honored to have the parents and grandparents here,” he said. The cadets’ grandparents, Roger and Gloria Crawford, are longtime residents of Estill Springs; their grandfather is a retired U.S. Air Force Lt Col who served at Arnold Engineering Development Complex — the same installation where Col Withrow, the evening’s guest speaker, is currently stationed. Captain Carden stated that these cadets are expected to present themselves well and lead throughout the wing. “This is just one of the examples of them participating throughout the wing, and they have visited us multiple times in the past. It’s a great honor to acknowledge your achievement.”

The Tullahoma Composite Squadron meets at the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory, 1402 E Carroll Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388. They meet every Monday (except major holidays) from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. For more information email TN036@tncap.us.

Civil Air Patrol is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force and a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving communities across the nation. Founded in 1941, the Civil Air Patrol performs three primary missions: search and rescue, aerospace education, and cadet programs for youth. Through these programs, Civil Air Patrol develops leadership and character while preparing young people for future careers in aviation, STEM, and public service. Visit https:// www.gocivilairpatrol.com/ for more information.