Unit Awards Bestowed in 2022
February 23, 2022, Dallas -
Unit Awards
David "Tex" Lee Hill Cadet Corps Award The criteria for this award is that, within their parent Unit, a cadet group has demonstrated exemplary leadership and organization in service to the Commemorative Air Force. cadet activities should promote individual and group opportunities for education, development and teamwork. The “Tex” Hill Wing Cadet Corps has created partnerships with the Alamo Aerospace Academy, Southwest High School aviation department, local Experimental Aircraft Association and Civil Air Patrol units and the City of San Antonio aviation department to coordinate efforts and increase youth education opportunities and resulted in increased cadet membership. Cadets have been a key part of the unit negotiating teams with city council for increased support. The “Tex” Hill Wing Cadet Corps advised five other CAF Units on their efforts to develop/enhance their Cadet programs. Provided ground support to airshows by two other CAF Units. Assisted the Wing on multiple food drives to support the local food bank. Taught an aircraft fabric repair class with one of the Unit’s Cadets as the instructor. Implemented a monthly speaker series focused on aviation and career opportunities. Cadets worked on restoration of a CAF Val replica and performed general housekeeping for the Wing’s assigned AT-6.
For their outstanding support and dedication of the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force the “Tex” Hill Wing is hereby awarded the Commemorative Air Force David “Tex” Lee Hill Cadet Corps Award.
Distinguished Unit Maintenance Award The criteria for this award is that a Unit must have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the maintenance or restoration of a Commemorative Air Force aircraft. The Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing has a proven record that fulfills this requirement.
The Central Texas Wing is entrusted with seven Commemorative Air Force aircraft. In 2021, all seven flew operational missions - a feat that is a testament to the dedication of the Central Texas Wing maintenance team. The team, working together, completed the restoration of our BT-13, replaced an engine on the C-45 and B-25 Yellow Rose, saved the summer tour by replacing a cylinder in C-47 That’s All, Brother while in Abilene, TX, and made significant improvements in the other Wing assigned aircraft. All of this was accomplished against the backdrop of the regular maintenance workload and while growing a cadre of airframe and powerplant professionals and training non-rated volunteer maintainers.
For their exemplary maintenance program, outstanding support and dedication to the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force, the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing is hereby awarded the Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Unit Maintenance Award.
Distinguished Unit Award Since 2017 the Gulf Coast Wing has grown in revenue, membership, aircraft, and local presence. The Unit developed a solid set of financial strategies for expenditures, risk assessment, and maintenance funding that has resulted in a robust financial foundation. flight operations, pilot skills, technical expertise, training, maintenance, and repair capabilities all improved dramatically in the last five years, leading to an outstanding operational record. The Gulf Coast Wing has developed processes that other Units can use, including data-driven tour planning and the Warbird Expo Model which allows an array of other Units’ aircraft to join in Gulf Coast Wing events.
In 2020, the Gulf Coast Wing responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with creativity and determination. The staff and crew worked through the challenges to create a set of successful procedures that allowed the Unit to operate safer and were shared with other Units.
The combination of rigorous planning, forward-looking maintenance, and emphasis on teamwork along with huge contribution of time and resources from the membership has resulted in successfully driving the Commemorative Air Force mission, made visible through safe, effective operations, and significant increases in number of living history flights and revenue.
For their outstanding support and dedication of the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force the Gulf Coast Wing is hereby awarded the Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Unit Award.
Distinguished Unit Award During the past three years the Squadron has worked diligently to repair the aircraft in their care returning the SNJ N7024C to flight after an engine failure/overhaul; brought the PT-19 N6072C to near flying status by recovering, repainting, and cylinder replacement; made great strides in the repair of the L-17 N444AC replacing the engine and propeller plus repairing some structural damage; worked to replace two engines on the donated C-47 N346AB with a goal of having it flying in early 2022. The Squadron recovered some pieces of the lost C-47 and are dismantling the engines to salvage valuable parts.
All of this has been accomplished during the pandemic, putting on two airshows with record attendance, and enduring the unexpected deaths of several members. The Squadron has begun a program of community related events and is standing up a class of Cadets to continue our mission. These accomplishments exemplify the dedication of the members to keep’em flying and support the goals of the Commemorative Air Force. For their outstanding support and dedication of the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force the Highland Lakes Squadron is hereby awarded the Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Unit Award.
Distinguished Unit Award Despite the State of California’s continued COVID-19 restrictions, the Inland Empire Wing continued to actively show the highest level of enthusiasm and dedication to the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force in 2021. They continued to maintain and fly their aircraft, improve their facility, grow their membership by 10% and reach out to the community with education and service. They flew their C-53 D-Day Doll over 1,200 miles from Riverside, CA to Xenia, Ohio to participate in World War II paratrooper Jim “Pee Wee” Martin’s 100th birthday celebration.
They participated in two flights for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County for pediatric cancer patients. They were involved in a search and rescue mission at Edwards Air Force Base for the NASA test pilot school’s downed jet. They also participated in the 100th birthday celebration of World War II paratrooper Tom Rice in San Diego. The Inland Empire Wing is a proud Unit of the Commemorative Air Force and continues to implement its goals to educate, inspire, and honor.
For their outstanding support and dedication of the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force the Inland Empire Wing is hereby awarded the Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Unit Award.
Lloyd P. Nolen Unit Achievement Award In the shadow of the “lost year” of 2020, the members of the Central Texas Wing came together to break records in performance across the board. The Wing safely flew more hours than ever before. The members set records for revenue, membership, new members, and ridership. Through their dedication they made significant investments in multiple aircraft entrusted to their care - purchasing engines for two airplanes and custom brakes for a one-of-a-kind P-39, among many other investments in the rest of the fleet. The Wing grew both its maintenance team and pilot cadre and flew all seven of its assigned aircraft in the calendar year. The membership made dramatic improvements to its facility and equipment after recovering from a devastating flooding event brought on by the historic freeze of February 2021 and executed two multi-state tours with C-47 That’s All, Brother. All of this was accomplished with a strong spirit of esprit de corps and a renewed commitment to working together.
For their outstanding support and dedication to the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force in the true spirit of our founder, Lloyd P. Nolen, the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing is hereby awarded the Lloyd P. Nolen Unit Achievement Award.
Recruiting Awards
For recruiting 5 new members in 2019. Jack Welch
For recruiting 15+ new members in 2019. Mary Mount
For recruiting 10 new members. * RozeLyn Beck * Darren Bond * Melvin Hall * Lawanda Strhan
