Richard L. Anderson, the newly appointed assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, hosted Lt. Col. Antonio J. Barroso and Cadet Capt. Isabela V. Barroso to recognize the father and daughter team from Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing for their recent CAP achievements.
Anderson, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and current Civil Air Patrol brigadier general who served as CAP’s national commander from 1993-1996, presented Cadet Barroso with the Amelia Earhart Award, which carries with it a promotion to cadet captain. Her parents, Antonio and Priscilla Barroso, affixed her rank to her uniform as part of the ceremony.
Background and Significance of the Amelia Earhart Award
The Amelia Earhart award recognizes the avid aviatrix, advocate, and female aviation pioneer, who set a multitude of records for women during aviation’s infancy, though she was lost while attempting to be the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Cadet Barroso is the 22,373rd cadet to achieve this CAP milestone since the award’s inception in 1964.
Richard L. Anderson (center), the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, poses for a photo with Lt. Col. Antonio J. Barroso and Cadet Capt. Isabela V. Barroso after presenting them with their Civil Air Patrol awards.
Lt. Col. Barroso, the CAP National Headquarters liaison to the Pentagon and a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, was also recognized for earning the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Award and his parallel professional achievement of a Master rating in aerospace education.
Crossfield Award Highlights Aerospace Education Excellence
The Crossfield award, named after the legendary test pilot, aerospace pioneer, and avid supporter of CAP and aerospace education, is an achievement within the Senior Member professional development and specialty track programs that recognizes members’ dedication and expertise in promoting aviation and space education both within CAP and throughout their communities.
After the Dec. 8 presentation at the Pentagon, Anderson then remarked upon the significance of these awards and shared anecdotes about the aviation pioneers after whom these two awards were named.
Lt. Col. Barroso, who joined CAP as a Florida Wing cadet in 1996, achieved the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award (number 1437), the CAP Cadet Program’s highest cadet achievement, in 2001. Since that time, he has maintained active membership as a CAP officer over the course of the past two decades, serving at every echelon of the organization, while simultaneously pursuing his career as an Army officer, husband, and father.
“It was an honor to work so hard and be recognized in the Pentagon, a place where personnel work every day to defend our nation."
Also in attendance at the ceremony were John Russo, program manager for Air Force Auxiliary Programs, Col. Crystal Glaster, senior military assistant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Lt. Col. Erin Fasshold, chief of the Civil Air Patrol Branch within the Air Force Operations Group, and Col. Janon “J.D.” Ellis, deputy commander for CAP’s Mid-Atlantic Region.
Anderson and Ellis are also former CAP cadets who each achieved the Spaatz award (numbers 193 and 661, respectively).
How can you become part of something bigger?
Those interested in developing leadership skills, serving their communities, and exploring opportunities in aviation and aerospace can join Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force auxiliary. Open to youth ages 12 and older and adult volunteers of all backgrounds, CAP offers hands-on training, mentorship, and service opportunities nationwide. To learn more about membership and find a local unit, visit gocivilairpatrol.com.
