Redbird Squadron Honors its First Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award Winners
The Civil Air Patrol’s Red Bird Squadron (SWR-TX-428) honored its first Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award winners at the Commemorative Air Force’s new education facility in Dallas on May 23.
C/Col. Jacob Brown, a sophomore at Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, Texas, was the first cadet in the squadron’s 27-year history to earn the Spaatz Award when he did so in August, and his brother, C/Col. Cleveland Brown Jr., a senior at Lake Ridge, earned the honor in February.
Dignitaries in attendance included Renée Edwards, District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson; Dallas City Council Member Casey Thomas, who presented the squadron with a proclamation; Civil Air Patrol Texas Wing Commander Col. William Schroder; retired Col. Bob Gehbauer of the Air Force Association’s Seidel Dallas Chapter; and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Campbell, president of the Air Force Association’s Seidel Dallas Chapter who knew the first-ever Spaatz Award winner, Col. Douglas C. Roach.
Former President George W. Bush sent a congratulatory letter for the occasion. C/Col. Cleveland Brown had met President Bush when his father, Capt. Cleveland Brown Sr., served on his Secret Service detail. Capt. Brown has been the squadron commander since 2019, and his wife, 1st Lt. Shemitia Brown, is also an active member of CAP.
“The outstanding achievements of the Cols Brown show that CAP is a family. It takes a family to overcome and succeed in life and the Browns can look to their Blue family for that support,” said Col. Schroder.
C/Col. Cleveland Brown serves as Red Bird Composite Squadron’s Cadet Commander. He is Ground Team 3 certified and has completed Airman Leadership School, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Officer Training School, and the Cadet Command and Staff College.
In addition, he has competed as a member of the squadron’s CyberPatriot team.
Away from CAP, he is enrolled in AP classes in school and enjoys playing basketball and video games in his free time. He also practices the violin and piano in his leisure time. He earned appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he will report this summer as a member of the class of 2025.
C/Col. Jacob Brown has served as Red Bird Composite Squadron’s Deputy Cadet Commander since 2019. He is Ground Team 3 certified and has completed Airman Leadership School, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Officer Training School, and the Cadet Command and Staff College.
In addition, he has competed as a member of the squadron’s CyberPatriot team, is a member of the Young Eagles Association and was a member of the cadre at Airman Leadership School.
Away from CAP, he is enrolled in pre-AP and AP classes in school and enjoys playing basketball and video games in his free time.
“We are very proud of C/Col. Cleveland Brown, Jr. and C/Col. Jacob Brown for their persistence in earning this achievement. As squadron commander, I’m pleased that we have cadet leaders who can serve as an example for all of the younger cadets to aspire to. We have several cadets in the pipeline who have an excellent chance of reaching this pinnacle, and I know that these two will be an excellent resource for them along the way,” Capt. Brown said.
