Civil Air Patrol honors USU student with award

A Utah man and woman became the first father/daughter duo in the country ever to have both received the Civil Air Patrol's coveted Spaatz award.

Sydney Chamberlin, 20, accepted the award July 20 at Hill Air Force Base from Brig. Gen. Kathleen Close. Named after the Air Force's first chief of staff, Gen. Carl "Tooey" Spaatz, the patrol's highest honor is awarded to cadets who demonstrate excellence in leadership, character, fitness and aerospace education.

David Chamberlin earned the award as a cadet back in 1979. He and his wife, Sue Chamberlin, are both part of the patrol. Their daughter is a double major (physics and political science) at Utah State University, where she maintains a 3.9 GPA.

The patrol was formed during World War II when civilians who were private pilots flew domestic missions for the government. Today the patrol is considered an auxiliary of the Air Force, even wearing similar uniforms. Cadets are between the ages of 12 and 20, after which they can join the patrol as a senior member. More than 1,500 cadets have received the Spaatz award since it was established in 1964.

Recently, Utah patrol members helped fire crews on the state's 363,000-acre Milford Flat fire by flying reconnaissance missions. Members also help emergency workers find downed planes and lost people.