C/2d Lt Timothy Lhota was presented the Billy Mitchell Award on July 17 by Group 2 Commander, Lt Col John Edsall. This award recognizes the completion of the first eight achievements of the CAP cadet program, and signifies the transition to the cadet officer ranks. To earn the award, the cadet must pass an arduous 100 question examination testing leadership theory and aerospace topics. Since its inception over 30 years ago, over 42,000 cadets have earned this honor. Click here to learn more about the Billy Mitchell Award.

C/Lhota is Flight Commander of Alpha Flight and joins C/Brent Rist and C/Daniel Cook as Gainesville's 2008 Mitchell Award recipients.

Congratulations to the following Gainesville cadets who completed the Florida Wing Summer Encampment. Outstanding job!

Special thanks to the following individuals who served on the encampment staff.

The National Champions

The Group 2 Color Guard are champions once again! The team - comprised of Gainesville cadets Tim Lhota (commander), Tiffany Jakowczuk and Josh Davidson, and Marion County cadet Sam Dauss - earned 1st place at the 2008 Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Competition in Dayton, Ohio.

The competitition was held at several venues around Dayton, including Wright State University and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The team competed in seven events over the course of three days, and emerged victorious, returning the national title to Southeast Region.

The team earned first place in four events: panel quiz, written examination, indoor practical drill and standard drill. The team was undefeated in panel quiz. In addition, Cadet Lhota earned the highest written exam score in the competition, with a 100%.

After the grueling competition, the team had a great time touring the National Museum of the Air Force and visiting with other teams from around the nation. They were especially thrilled to be able to meet members of the USAF Honor Guard, who served as competition judges.

At the banquet on Sunday evening, the team was presented with the USAF Chief of Staff Sweepstakes Award trophy by Brig Gen Joseph Lanni (USAF) and Brig Gen Amy Courter (CAP), the Civil Air Patrol Interim National Commander. In addition to NCC challenge coins and lapel pins, the team and escorts also received challenge coins from SER Commander, Col. James Rushing.

The team has also been asked to present the Colors at the 2008 CAP National Board and Conference in Orlando.

Once again, congratulations to the team and their escorts on this unprecedented achievement.