08/11/2026
Wi******er Cadet Earns Top Award
(https://vawg.cap.gov/news/winchester-civil-air-patrol-cadet-earns-top-award)
WI******ER, Va. (August 11, 2026) – Cadet Colonel Kyrieanne Pardue of Wi******er was presented the General Carl A. Spaatz Award this month from Brigadier General Richard L. Anderson, CAP, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The award is Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor. The award is presented to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education. Pardue was the 2,645th to receive the award since 1964.
Pardue joined Civil Air Patrol in September 2018 with Virginia Wing’s Wi******er Composite Squadron. She has served in numerous leadership positions including element leader, flight sergeant, flight commander, information technology officer in charge, plans and curriculum officer, deputy commander for support, aerospace education officer in charge, and deputy commander. Most recently, she served as cadet commander for the 2026 National Cyber Academy in Virginia.
Beyond her leadership roles, Pardue has been active in supporting her community, state, and nation. Her volunteer work has included outreach events such as wings and wheels at the local airport, competing on the squadron’s CyberPatriot team, supporting the rocketry team, assisting several encampments (Civil Air Patrol cadet training), helping the Air and Space Forces Association’s Legacy Flight Academy, laying wreaths for veterans in support of Wreaths Across America, and attending the national cyber academy’s cyberspace networking, operations, and digital forensic courses. In 2024, Pardue earned her private pilot’s license through Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Wings program, which covered the full cost of her training.
When asked about her favorite memory, Pardue said: “My favorite CAP memory was being part of the five cadets representing the United States in the International Air Cadet Exchange to Australia. Since I received my Mitchell Award a few years ago and learned about the activity, it became my dream CAP event to attend. Getting my Spaatz and being selected just before I age out made this trip so much more memorable. I was so blessed with this opportunity, and it really became the best summer of my entire life so far. I met so many amazing people and learned so much about Australia’s history, culture, Air Force, and government while also seeing how much they have grown as a country in the past 100 years."
Spaatz award recipients — less than one-half of 1% of all cadets — must complete Civil Air Patrol’s cadet program’s 16 achievements, then pass a rigorous cumulative battery consisting of a strenuous physical fitness exam, a written essay on a persistent moral issue, and two 60-question cumulative exams on aerospace and leadership.
About Virginia Wing
Civil Air Patrol's Virginia Wing is home to 21 squadrons spread throughout the Commonwealth and has approximately 2,500 members, 13 light aircraft, 6 small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and 28 multi-mission vehicles. These assets are available to federal, state, and local governments, as well as to emergency responders and law enforcement agencies to perform search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and counter-drug missions. For more information on Virginia Wing, visit the wing’s website at https://vawg.cap.gov.
About Civil Air Patrol
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
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