2025 Arizona Wing Conference
Above: Ten members of the Arizona Wing received certificates for earning the Gill Robb Wilson award, the highest level of achievement in Civil Air Patrol's education and training program for adult members. Seven awards were presented at the morning general session and the remainder at the evening banquet. See the list below for the names of all 10 Wilson award winners.
On April 11-13, nearly 180 members of the Arizona Wing attended the Wing Conference at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort in Chandler. The event started with training for Aerospace Education Officers on Friday morning and four classes for members pursuing Level III of CAP's Education and Training program. Saturday's opening general session included a national briefing from Chief Master Sgt. Todd Parsons, CAP's national command chief; remarks from Lt. Col. Jamie Gray, commander of the CAP-USAF Southwest Liaison Region; a briefing from Col. Harriet Smith, the Southwest Region deputy commander; and remarks from Col. Linda Yaeger, Arizona Wing commander, who recalled highlights of wing activities over the past year and discussed the goal of the conference -- encouraging both new and long-time members to "Find Your Why."
"This year in Arizona Wing, our focus is on our newest members and those of you who may be wondering if you are losing your passion," Yaeger said. "Some of you attending today’s wing conference have found your path forward. Others are learning from their mentors about new directions for them. Some of you may be sitting in the back at meetings, wondering why you are here.
"Today, we will help you address that. And I believe the answer is getting to your WHY. Why did you join? Why are you still here?"
The keynote speaker was retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert G. Armfield. He joined CAP in the 8th grade in the North Carolina Wing and earned his Spaatz Award in 1986, shortly after his friend, and Arizona Wing deputy commander, Lt. Col. Mark Schadt.
In 2017, Gen. Armfield, was serving as vice director of plans, policy, and strategy for U.S. Central Command, when he retired from the Air Force after 28 years of service - and countless deployments with joint special operations units.
Armfield recalled the leaders and mentors who encouraged him as a cadet, noting that they were so significant in his life, he was standing on a stage still talking about them 40 years later. He said, "CAP taught me that I can do way more than I thought I could do or what the world thought I could do." He encouraged those attending to "spend your time, talent, treasure doing consequential things."
Members Recognized for Outstanding Performance
At both the morning general session and evening banquet, awards were presented to Arizona Wing members to recognize their significant accomplishments and contributions. The award winners include:
*Frank G. Brewer Civil Air Patrol Memorial Aerospace Award – Senior Member of the Year
Maj. Michael Griffith, AZWG South Group
AZ “Aerospace Education in Orbit” Aerospace Education Officer of the Year
Capt. Peter Davis, Prescott Composite Squadron
Aircraft Maintenance Officer of the Year
Lt. Col. Leland “Scott” Curtis, Scottsdale Composite Squadron
*Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Outstanding Cadet NCO of the Year
Cadet 2nd Lt. Nataleigh Drainer, Davis-Monthan Composite Squadron
Cadet of the Year
Cadet Lt. Col. Violet Haigh, Davis-Monthan Composite Squadron
John V. "Jack" Sorenson Cadet Programs Officer of the Year Award
1st Lt. Elizabeth Schmitt, Deer Valley Composite Squadron (Southwest Region Award)
Commander of the Year
Lt. Col. Mark Malan, Davis-Monthan Composite Squadron
Arizona Wing Counterdrug Officer of the Year Award
Capt. Gary Stark, Williams Composite Squadron
*Director of Finance of the Year Award
Capt. Jeff Buehrle, Falcon Composite Squadron
Finance Officer of the Year
Capt. Brian Tucek, Deer Valley Composite Squadron
*Col. Edwin W. Lewis Jr. Incident Staff Member of the Year Award
Capt. Mike Ricker, Arizona Wing
*Inspector General of the Year
Lt. Col. Norm Spector, Arizona Wing
*George Texido Legislative Officer of the Year Award
Lt. Col. Gordon Helm, Deer Valley Composite Squadron
*Col. David Kantor Operations Staff Officer of the Year Award
Maj. Chris Dusard, Deer Valley Composite Squadron
Orientation Flight Pilot of the Year
Capt. Gary Stark, Williams Composite Squadron
Professional Development Officer of the Year
1st Lt. Susan Barber, Verde Valley Senior Squadron
Senior Member of the Year
Lt. Col. James Fendley, Scottsdale Composite Squadron
Standards and Evaluation Officer of the Year
Maj. Clarke McNeace, Williams Composite Squadron
sUAS Individual or Team Member of the Year
Lt. Col. Cheryl Morgan and 1st. Lt. Michael Gerard, Cochise Composite Squadron
Gill Robb Wilson Award Winners
Lt. Col. Ryan Glass
Lt. Col. Victor LaSala
Lt. Col. Barbara Mathews
Lt. Col. Michael Miller
Lt. Col. Lori Raska
Lt. Col. Gedaliah Scharold
Lt. Col. Norman Spector
Maj. John Bryant
Maj. Nic Fuqua
Maj. Scott McFarland
Maj. Scott Hunter
Maj. James Space
*Award recommendations for these members, following recognition at both the wing and region level, have been forwarded to headquarters for further consideration for national-level awards.
