Milwaukee, WI - Cadet Second Lieutenant Chad Nowak, Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5, received his Mitchell Award during outdoor ceremonies, which were interrupted by the ever-increasing sound of rotors. Finally, a military helicopter came into sight near the outer parking lot of the ANG building where the CAP squadron meets adjacent to General Mitchell International Airport. 

The chopper hovered during the entire ceremony, provoking Nowak to remark afterward that he will remember his award ceremony more for the “air cover” than for any other reason.  Since President Obama was scheduled to appear in Green Bay the next day, it was theorized that perhaps the helicopters were part of the security package.

Cadet Nowak joined Civil Air Patrol in April of 2007 and was Bravo Flight Commander at the squadron.  In CAP he has been active on many emergency services and disaster relief missions earning the DR ribbon with V device for service during the flooding last year in Sauk County.

He recently graduated from Whitnall High School and will leave for basic training and then tech school in the Army National Guard at the end of July, having already enlisted in March as an E2 currently working on Private First Class.  He will be attending Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska on a four year Army ROTC scholarship.  Nowak was also in AFJROTC where he held the rank of Cadet Major and the staff position of Information Manager. 

Nowak has interests in history and political science and would like to stay in the National Guard, moving to the officer side upon graduation from college. Additionally he hopes to someday become Village President of his hometown, Hales Corners, Wisconsin where his Mom, Cynthia, and sister Lauren reside.

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