Yokota cadet earns Amelia Earhart Award

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Billie Thompson
  • Civil Air Patrol, NHQ 103 Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, JAPAN --  Cadet Capt. Michael McDougall, Civil Air Patrol Yokota Cadet Squadron cadet commander, NHQ-103, was presented with the Amelia Earhart Award, and pinned on the rank of Cadet Capt. at the CAP facility on Yokota Air Base.

Presenting the award was Col. Douglas DeLaMater 374th Airlift Wing commander, who spoke to the cadets about the importance of strength and humility in leadership. He encouraged them by saying, "We have a lot of challenges ahead of us, but if we have a group of young professionals like yourselves, we're in really good hands." Specifically, he lauded McDougall's professionalism and willingness to recognize the people who helped him achieve this milestone.

"The Earhart Award to me means that I have taken another step in the long path to Cadet Colonel and eventual military service," McDougall said. "It also means that I can now more effectively lead and develop the squadron with increased authority and leadership training."

Prior recognition includes Veterans of Foreign Wars Cadet NCO of the Year Award and the Achievement Award for his leadership during the Friendship Festival sanitation support. McDougall was also a member of the Honor Flight from Osan Air Base's Winter Encampment in 2012. In April of 2014, he was awarded the General Billy Mitchell Award, which can roughly be equated to the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout.

Those attending the ceremony included members of the Yokota Cadet Squadron; his parents, Robert Huber and Colleen McDougall; and his sister, Cordelia McDougall.

McDougall joined the Civil Air Patrol as a member of the Yokota Cadet Squadron in 2011. He has previously served as an Element Leader and the unit First Sergeant. Additionally, McDougall has served as the CAP Project Officer for Frostbite Run support, as well as led the cadet efforts during last year's Friendship Festival.

McDougall is a freshman at Yokota High School and is active in the AFJROTC and also serves on the marksmanship team.  He is also actively flying with the Yokota Flight Training Center and working towards his private pilot's license. Cadet McDougall also wants to attend the Air Force Academy and serve after high school.

Receipt of the Amelia Earhart Award is achieved by completing 11 of 16 total achievements in the Cadet Program. It honors American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart who was lost in 1937 while attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world. Only an estimated five percent of cadets who enter the Cadet Program achieve this milestone.

The Yokota Cadet Squadron is one of six Civil Air Patrol overseas squadrons. They meet every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Hangar 1504 across from the east side Shoppette on Yokota Air Base. For more information email CAP at commander@yokotacap.com or visit www.yokotacap.com.