WingTips The official publica t i on of Minnesota Wing C ivil Air P at r ol May 2005 FAA awards Thompson its Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award by Maj. Shannon Bauer, Viking Squadron The Federal Aviation Administration awarded Lt. Col. John Paul Thompson, Viking Squadron, its Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at the Minnesota Wing Conference in Breezy Point, Minn., April 29-May 1. Thompson is the first pilot in Minnesota to receive this distinguished award. This FAA award is designed to recognize pilots that have been involved in aviation for 50 or more years with a record of safe operations and outstanding achievement. To receive the award, the pilot must have soloed 50 years ago and still be an active flyer, be recommended by at least three certified pilots, pro- vide documentation of avia- tion ratings and experience and not be involved in any aviation accidents. Thompson served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1973, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He first soloed in 1953 in an AT-6 Texan. During his Air Force career, he additionally flew the T-33 Shooting Star, the L-19 Birddog, the F-84G Thunderjet, the F-86 Sabre and the C-123 Provider, FAA principal operations inspector Gary Pendleton (right) presented the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award to Lt. Col. Paul Thompson, Viking Squadron (center). Members of Thompson's family are standing with him. Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Helseth, Viking Squadron Pilot Award / Page 2 Mili t ary C hap lain Ass ociat ion honors Miki t ta wit h Dist inguishe d Service award Chaplain Lt. Col. Donald Mikitta, Jr., Red Wing Squadron, Minnesota Wing headquarters and North Central Region, received the Distinguished Service award for a Civil Air Patrol Chaplain during the 2005 Military Chaplain Association National Institute Recognition Ceremony, in Alexandria, Va., April 14 Mikitta is a 25-year CAP veteran. He presently serves as the Minnesota Wing director of cadet programs, the North Central Region deputy chaplain and the Red Wing Squadron chap- lain, as well as is a Boy Scout chaplain to Troop 32 in Red Wing. "He has been considered a role model for chaplains in the North Central Region for many years," said Chaplain Lt. Col. Ron Tottingham, North Central Region. Mikitta has been a member of CAP since 1979. In 2004, he received the CAP headquarter’s Senior Chaplain of the Year award. Mikitta’s vision is to equip the CAP youth to become dynamic leaders by provid- ing living leadership labora- tories experiences. He uses the ministry of presence to expose the young members to spiritual truths, and to show his concern in their success. MCA holds the National Recognition Ceremony each year in conjunction with its National Institute. This year, the conference drew around 100 members from throughout the nation. The three-day event includ- ed business meetings, the election of new national officers and training semi- nars. MCA is the professional organization for chaplains of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Department ofVeterans Affairs and the Civil Air Patrol. MCA Award / Pag e 3
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.