The Yellowstone Regional Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol recently promoted four cadets.

Rui Parker, from Deaver, completed the requirements for Chief Master Sergeant, the highest non-commissioned grade and received the Goddard award for Achievement 7. The award is named for Robert Goddard, who’s credited with creating and building the first liquid-filled rocket.

Meanwhile, brothers Jay and Eli Swaney, along with Sam Yount, all from Powell, completed Achievement 4 and were recognized with Civil Air Patrol’s Rickenbacker Award. The award is named after American World War I ace and statesman, Eddie Rickenbacker, and confers the rank of Cadet Technical Sergeant.

The awards recognize excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness and character.

During part of the time the cadets were working on their promotions, COVID-19-related restrictions effectively limited meetings and other activities to electronic format, said Lt. Col. BJ Carlson, the squadron commander.

“Despite these constraints, squadron activities continued and the cadets completed the requirements for promotion,” Carlson said.

Cadets Yount and Parker also were honored with the Red Service Award for completing two years of service in Civil Air Patrol.

With the Powell National Guard Armory currently closed to public meetings, Civil Air Patrol meetings are being held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Grace Point Church in Powell.

“Visitors are welcome to come and check out the Civil Air Patrol program,” Carlson said.

Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine Cessna aircraft and 1,550 small unmanned aircraft systems to assist with  inland search and rescue missions; the nonprofit was credited with saving 110 lives in fiscal year 2019. CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Members also serve as mentors to over 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.