AFA National CAP AE Cadet of the Year Award

The Air & Space Forces Association's

National CAP Aerospace Education Cadet of the Year Award

Click HERE for all Information and CAPF 50-4 Nomination

For more information, contact afa@capnhq.gov.

2026 National Winner: To be announced and recognized at the AFA convention and Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in September. Photo and info posted afterward.

2025 National Winner

Cadet Captain Daniel J. O'Connell, NCR-MO-140 Platte Valley Composite Squadron

C/Captain Daniel J. O’Connell of the Platte Valley Composite Squadron, Missouri Wing, was named the 2025 Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) National Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Cadet of the Year. Recognized nationally for his leadership and innovation, he has advanced cadet training in drones and rocketry, excelled in AFA CyberPatriot competitions, developed an inclusive cybersecurity “escape room” for visually impaired youth, and is actively pursuing his aviation goals, including his recent first powered solo flight. Read more at the link above.

See Feb 2026 article about Cadet O'Connell by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA): AFA Recognizes Civil Air Patrol Cadets with National Aerospace Education Award - Air & Space Forces Association

Photos of Cadet O'Connell during his award presentation at the AFA's National Air, Space, and Cyber conference in National Harbor, MD. Left, is the AFA Chairman of the Board, BG Bernie Skoch, making the presentation with CAP National Commander, MG Regena Aye. Right, is Cadet O'Connell at the CAP booth at the conference with CAP leadership.

2024 National Winner

Cadet Colonel Meagan Miller, GLR-KY-050 Boone Composite Squadron

Read outstanding CAP.NEWS article about Cadet Miller:

Don’t Underestimate Her: Desire to Excel Helps Kentucky Cadet Cope with Life-Threatening Genetic Disease

2023 National Winner

Cadet Major Annika Santhanam, NER-NJ-102 Captain Bud Jackson Composite Squadron

Cadet Santhanam Award Presentation with Jim Simons, AFA Vice Chair/Field, and Col Joe Abegg, AFA NJ State President and CAP NJ Legislative Squadron Commander (red tie)

Past Recipients:

2025- Cadet Captain Daniel J. O'Connell, NCR-MO-140 Platte Valley Composite Squadron

2024-Cadet Colonel Meagan Miller, GLR-KY-050 Boone Composite Squadron

2023- C/Maj Annika Santhanam, NER-NJ-102 Captain Bud Jackson Composite Squadron

2022-C/Lt Col Taran Fletcher NCR-MO-147 Table Rock Composite Squadron

2021-C/1st Lt Rylee Schmuck GLR-IN-220

2020- C/Capt Grayson Logan NER-MA-007

2019- C/Lt Col Annika Walukas GLR-WI-161

2018- C/CMSgt Marcos Samuel Fiejoo-Martinez PCR-NV-077

2017- C/Capt Casey Owen GLR-WI-161

2016- C/Capt Austin Dillow MAR-MD-089

2015- C/Maj Caleb Couture MAR-MD-089