Outstanding Units Awarded for Quality and Excellence

1st. Lt. Maranjely Mercado
Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Col Elsa M Soto-Torres Cadet Squadron
Puerto Rico Wing

MUNIZ ANG BASE, Puerto Rico - On April 17, 2021, units from across Puerto Rico Wing were awarded for outstanding performance in Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education during a ceremony celebrated at Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

"During the Wing Conference when we talk about COVID-19, I told every member of the Wing about my expectations, this is the result of those expectations. We did not stop as we continue to grow, we continue to work, we continue to train together and this ceremony shows the results," said Col. Edgardo Torres, Puerto Rico Wing commander.

"We still in the pandemic we still fighting to stay up and I appreciate what you are doing for the units, for the members, for the Wing, and of course, for the Civil Air Patrol," added Col. Torres.

The activity started with Lt. Col Ismael J. Rodriguez as master of ceremony, and an invocation by Cadet Major Valeria Pacheco.

Outstanding units were recognized with the Quality Cadet Unit Award (QCUA) for their great contributions toward the Cadet Programs. This year units were:

• Arecibo Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-034) - 3rd consecutive award

• Maj. William Biaggi Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-051) - 1st award

• Lt. Col. Elsa M. Soto Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-094) - 6th consecutive award

• Guanica HS Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-104) - 2nd consecutive award

• Capt. Pedro F. Giusti Piazza Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-110) - 1st award

• Dr. Cesareo Rosa Nieves Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-123) - 7th consecutive award

• Muñiz ANG Base Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-126) - 8th consecutive award

• Capt. Saulo Solis Molina Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-161) - 1st award

• Kingdom Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-801) - 2nd consecutive award

The award presentation included the QCUA certificate and a streamer with the year.

Additionally, units that displayed a strong Aerospace Education program were recognized with the Squadron Aerospace Education Achievement Award:

• Mayaguez Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-002)

• Ponce HS Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-012)

• Arecibo Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-034)

• Maj. William Biaggi Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-051)

• Lt. Col. Elsa M. Soto Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-094)

• Guanica HS Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-104)

• Capt. Pedro F. Giusti Piazza Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-110)

• Muñiz ANG Base Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-126)

• Añasco Senior Squadron (SER-PR-129)

• Kingdom Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-801)

The QCUA and the AE Achievement Award were presented by Col. Edgardo Torres and Lt. Col. Aitmalys Perez, PRWG commander and chief of staff, respectively.

Finally, the American Legion Association, chapter of Puerto Rico, recognized units since 2014 to present that tremendously excelled expectations during a calendar year, previously known as the PRWG Unit of the Year:

• Muñiz ANG Base Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-126) 2014

• Capt. Saulo Solis Molina Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-161) 2015

• St. Thomas Composite Squadron (SER-PR-903) 2016

• Dr. Cesareo Rosa Nieves Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-123) 2017

• Muñiz ANG Base Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-126) 2018

• Muñiz ANG Base Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-126) 2019

• Muñiz ANG Base Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-126) 2020

The American Legion Award to Outstanding CAP Squadrons is listed in the CAPR 39-3 to recognize the outstanding CAP squadron in each wing.

This award was presented by Mr. Antonio Arroyo, Department Commander, and Mr. Juan A. Cruz Rodriguez, Department Adjutant.

The American Legion was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1919 as a patriotic organization of veterans focusing on services to fellow veterans, service members, and communities evolving from a group of war-wearing veterans of World War I into one of the most influential non-profit organizations in the United States.

Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million and stands at nearly 2 million, and local posts sprang up across the country having today more than 13,000 posts worldwide organized into 55 departments: one in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, France, Mexico, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.

For More Information:

Headquarters Puerto Rico Wing
Public Affairs Team
pa@prwg.cap.gov
(787) 604-2863