David Twibell received the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz award and was promoted to cadet colonel in the Civil Air Patrol at the Georgia Wing conference in Augusta. The ceremony was of special significance due to the attendance of astronaut Col. Eric Boe, a former cadet in the Georgia wing. He recently piloted two shuttle missions.

Twibell, who has been a Civil Air Patrol member for more than four years, passed a comprehensive exam in March which covered aerospace, leadership and emergency services. He also had to pass a physical fitness test. Less than .05 percent of the cadets in the CAP are promoted to cadet colonel.

Through CAP he has been to Washington D.C., marched in parades, flown in several different types of helicopters and airplanes, soloed in a Cessna before earning his driver’s license and serves as cadet commander for his squadron.

Twibell will be attending Armstrong Atlantic State University in the fall and after two years he plans to transfer to the Georgia Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering. He will enroll in ROTC programs at both universities.

Twibell has completed requirements to graduate home school and attends Southside Baptist Church in Savannah.

The Effingham Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Monday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the campus of Effingham Christian School on Goshen Road. The squadron website can be found at www.ga453.org. For more information about the Effingham Cadet Squadron or the Civil Air Patrol, please contact Capt. Richard Bush via e-mail at 102chief@gmail.com or via phone at (912) 429-8050.