Awards presented at 2024 SD Wing Conference

 

South Dakota Wing recently held its annual wing conference, concluding with an awards banquet recognizing members for excellence. Here is the master list of awards. Members can find many more photos in the wing’s Sharepoint photos section.
 

South Dakota Wing Conference
2024 Awards

SDWG Squadron of the Year: Rushmore Composite Squadron

South Dakota Wing has traditionally given this award recognizing holistic excellence across the board in CAP’s volunteer service to our communities, state, and nation. Over the years, the units receiving this award are the squadrons that are always at wing activities, always there for operational missions, always supportive of higher headquarters initiatives and direction, and always supportive of their fellow units, exhibiting holistic excellence.

 

Senior Member of the Year: Lt Col Craig Goodrich

Senior Member of the Year is an annual award recognizing the senior member who has contributed most to the success of CAP’s mission. The selection is based on the member’s lifetime contributions to CAP, not just the member’s accomplishments during the year of nomination. The senior member of the year at the wing level goes to the next level for consideration for the region senior member of the year award who is then considered for national Senior Member of the Year.

 

Cadet of the Year: C/Col Keon den Hoed, Sioux Falls Composite Squadron

Cadet of the Year recognizes the most outstanding cadets in CAP. Recipients must have received the Amelia Earhart award or higher, be at least a junior in high school, must have attained academic excellence in school, and must have demonstrated outstanding leadership in CAP. The cadet of the year at the wing level goes to the next level for consideration for the region cadet of the year award, who is then considered for national Cadet of the Year.

Torch Award: C/Col den Hoen presented this national award for mentoring his recent Spaatz Award development to Lt Col Tom Anez.

 

Outstanding Cadet NCO of the Year: Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Tyson Springman, Big Sioux Composite Squadron

The Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) recognizes outstanding cadet NCOs who have attended at least one encampment and has demonstrated an outstanding level of followership, leadership, and self-discipline as well as personally advancing their aerospace knowledge and assisting other members in their unit.
 

Squadron of Merit for 2023: Sioux Falls Composite Squadron

This Cadet Program award is based on metrics such as new cadets; renewed cadets; Wright, Mitchell, Earhart, Eaker and Spaatz awards; first encampment attendance; and orientation flights.  

 

Exceptional Service Awards

Chaplain Lt Col Gary Rae

Lt Col Linda Buechler

These awards commend service to CAP in a duty of great responsibility while serving in any capacity. The recipient should carry the ultimate responsibility for the successful operation of a region, wing or major project within the region or wing. We have two exceptional service awards to present this evening, both recognizing long, faithful service to the wing in many important capacities over the years in which they have accepted and fulfilled roles that greatly benefit the wing and CAP.

 

Gill Robb Wilson Award:  

Lt Col Craig Goodrich

Lt Col Kevin Pegelow

Maj Tyler Gross

This award recognizes completion of level 5 of the Senior Member Education and Training Program, which is the highest level. In many ways, it is the senior member equivalent of the cadet program’s Spaatz Award. These recipients had previously been announced, but scheduled for presentation during the wing conference.

 

“Of the Year” Awards

Col Robert V. “Bud” Payton Public Affairs Officer of the Year

2^nd Lt Deborah Springman, Big Sioux Composite Squadron

Professional Development Officer of the Year Award. 

Major Tyler Gross, Big Sioux Composite Squadron

Major General Jeanne M. Holm Civil Air Patrol AE Officer of the Year Award.

Capt Ben Kallas, Big Sioux Composite Squadron, for service before leaving SD

Colonel David Small Junior UAS Crew Member of the Year

Capt Donald Weiand, Crazy Horse Composite Squadron

Lt Col T. Keith Riddle Aircrew Member of the Year Award.

Lt Col Douglas Rowley, Crazy Horse Composite Squadron

 

Meritorious Service Award

Lt Col Kevin Pegelow for outstanding work on the 2023 Joint Dakota Encampment

 

Commander’s Commendations

For successfully completing terms as squadron commander:

Lt Col Buck DeWeese, Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron

Major Tyler Gross, Big Sioux Composite Squadron,

Capt Ruth Carley, Pierre Composite Squadron

Capt Denise Clement, Lincoln County Composite Squadron

Recognizing departure from wing staff positions

Lt Col Gary King, who served as wing Inspector General

Major Jonathan Owen, who served as Wing Logistics Officer

Major Kevin Pegelow, who served as Wing Finance Officer

1^st Lt Jacob Roth, who served as Wing Emergency Services Officer

For excellent service at the squadron level

C/Major Mitchell Trias, Big Sioux Composite Squadron

C/2^nd Lt Miles Kornegay, Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron

For leading the NCR Leadership Academy

C/Col Keon den Hoed

For support of the 2024 National Legislative Day calls on Congress.

2^nd Lt Austin den Hoed

C/Col Keon den Hoed

C/2^nd Lt Clover Naughton

C/2^nd Lt Joseph Lasseter

For service at the Kansas Wing Encampment

Lt Col Tom Anez

C/2^nd Lt Clover Naughton

 

Achievement Awards

For work within the squadron

            1^st Lt Brett Runge

For helping to recruit legislative members

            C/A1C Christopher Barranco

Nominated by the leadership of the Kansas Winter Encampment

1st Lt Kyle Clement

2^nd Lt Daniel Lautenschlager

2^nd Lt Austin den Hoed

C/Capt Ethan den Hoed

C/2^nd Lt Triston den Hoed

C/SMSgt Zechariah Garland

 

 

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