Cadet 2nd Lt. Abby Matsuyoshi of the Arizona Wing’s Mesa-based Willie Composite Squadron 304 can point to numerous accomplishments in Civil Air Patrol.
A CAP member since April 2021, her most recent achievements include earning a private pilot certificate in December through the Cadet Wings program, a professional drone pilot certificate, and an advanced ground instructor certificate and being awarded a CAP Foundation scholarship for additional flight training.
Matsuyoshi got a warm welcome when she joined CAP three years ago, she recalled. “They’ve always been really supportive of everyone,” she said. “I’ve always felt a part of the group.”
Her ultimate goal in CAP is to fly missions and inspire other cadets to become pilots. She’s a Form 5 trainee, a requirement to fly CAP aircraft.
Her near-future plans include attending the Texas Wing Glider Flight Academy in July.
Since joining Civil Air Patrol, Matsuyoshi has made quite an impression on her peers and her superiors alike. Capt. Brett Russo, the Willie squadron’s commander, has watched her grow personally and professionally.
She’s an example of the leadership and development outcomes CAP strives for in its youth members, Russo said.
Matsuyoshi “has worked extremely hard to develop as a pilot and has participated in wing exercises as an MRO [mission radio operator],” he said. “She has a bright future ahead, and we expect big things built on her dedication to excellence in the program.”
Even at age 19, Matsuyoshi’s resume is impressive. A native of Hayward, California, she moved with her family to Arizona in 2018. She was homeschooled and also attended Benjamin Franklin High School in Queen Creek, Arizona, for a couple of years.
She maintained a 4.0 grade-point average, earned several student of the year awards, and obtained “outstanding” ratings on national Latin exams while also participating in numerous sports.
She was a National, USA Open and Junior International Cup gold medalist in karate as well as a varsity participant in cross-country racing, track, and wrestling.
A favorite pastime is ham radio, which Matsuyoshi was introduced to through CAP. That led her to becoming public relations manager for Youth on the Air (YOTA), a program for young radio operators in the U.S..
Another favorite pastime is trap shooting, and she enjoys being part of the team. “You can’t really get more Arizona than trap shooting,” she joked.
Civil Air Patrol emphasizes community involvement, which Matsuyoshi finds especially appealing. When she visited Washington, D.C., as part of the Arizona Wing’s team for CAP National Legislative Day in February 2023, she frequently mentioned that aspect of the organization in her presentations to lawmakers and staff.
“Your squadron provides opportunities for you to have a role in the community with leadership positions or as a member of the teams, such as color guard or public affairs,” she said.
Matsuyoshi is a graduate of the Queen Creek Citizen Leadership Institute and participates in the local Community Emergency Response Team and Emergency Communications Group.
“Civil Air Patrol has helped me improve personally and professionally, as well as inspire me to become engaged in my community,” she said.
For now, Matsuyoshi isn’t attending college, but that may change. She hasn’t decided on a career yet, but politics seems likely. She’s a precinct committeewoman for Legislative District 15, supporting her representatives and senators.
She likes working at the grassroots level where she can learn and serve. Rather than running for political office, she envisions herself working in the background to make sure things get done.
“My goal is to work on the Hill in D.C.,” she said.
Wherever she lands professionally, Matsuyoshi will take with her the values she inherited from her family and the opportunities she has benefited from through Civil Air Patrol.
_____Loretta FultonContributing Writer
