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New York Wing Honors Rochester Cadets
Two cadets in the Rochester Composite Squadron – the New York Wing’s Squadron of Merit for 2021 – have been chosen as the wing’s Cadet of the Year and Cadet Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
Cadet Lt. Col. Gavin Davis was recognized with the Capt. James Burr Reddig Memorial Award as 2021 Cadet of the Year. Reddig, commander of a B-47 bomber with the Strategic Air Command, was killed Feb. 26, 1965, when the aircraft collided with a KC-135A tanker while refueling.
"I'm super-excited to receive this honor and represent my group, squadron, and wing. I really hope this inspires my cadets and lets them know anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” Davis said.
“It was very hard and a lot of work to get here, but it is so rewarding in the end, and the journey was even better being able to do it with others.”
Davis expressed “special thanks to my best friend and former New York Wing Cadet Advisory Council chair, Cadet Lt. Col. Sahil Swali, for taking this journey with me in CAP. From Cadet Advisory Council to Region Cadet Leadership School, we did just about everything in CAP together the past few years, and I would not be here without his friendship and support, among many others who helped me,” he said.
Davis has participated in numerous leadership and search and rescue schools in Civil Air Patrol, is a ground team leader. and serves as his squadron’s cadet emergency services officer. He’s also a member of the National Cadet Advisory Committee and was selected as cadet commander for the Ohio Wing’s 2022 summer encampment.
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Dykens of Civil Air Patrol’s Rochester Composite Squadron received the Lt. Col. Joseph E. Wooley CAP Memorial Award, named after a longtime CAP member and Vietnam veteran and presented to the wing’s Cadet NCO of the year.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Dykens, who has participated in Cadet Basic School and the NCO Academy.
“I couldn’t be where I am today without the help of multiple people along the way from my squadron and group. Huge thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way of my CAP career."
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Lt. Col. Franklin BIrt
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
New York Wing