The Maui Composite Squadron of the Hawaii Wing of the Civil Air Patrol took top honors at a statewide awards banquet last month on Oahu.
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Alijah Madkour, 18, received the Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award, as well as the Honor Cadet of Hawaii Wing 2010 Encampment Award and the Commander's Commendation Award for Outstanding Duty Performance.
She also received certificates from the Honolulu City Council, the state House of Representatives and the state Senate commending her for the awards. Additionally, she was presented with the Non-Commissioned Officer Citation and Medal Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Madkour, who holds the position of first sergeant, is a recent graduate of Kihei Charter School and has been a CAP member since 2007.
Her sister, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Nadia Madkour, 16, also won a Commander's Commendation Award for Outstanding Duty Performance, and the Cadet Communicator of the Year Award.
Nadia is currently the flight sergeant at Maui Composite Squadron and is planning a career in the U.S. Air Force. The sisters are also part of the color guard, which was awarded third place at the Hawaii Wing Color Guard Competition earlier this year.
The Madkours were also recognized with Commander's Commendations along with their father, First Lt. Kamil Madkour, and Lt. Col. August Leval for their role in assisting a Wailuku community that was threatened by a large brush fire last August.
Other top award recipients were Maj. John Santos Jr., who received the Senior Member of the Year award, and Lt. Col. Robert Hill, who received the Mission Pilot of the Year award.
Santos, a security and safety officer at Makena Beach & Golf Resort, holds the position of deputy commander of cadets and has been a CAP member since 1986, when he started as a cadet.
Hill, who is lieutenant in charge of the Maui Police Department Traffic Section and serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard, has been with CAP since 2006. He is assigned to the emergency services section and serves the unit as a mission pilot.
Maui Composite Squadron Cmdr. Lt. Col. Randal Leval received the Outstanding Duty Performance award. Leval, also a mission pilot, has been a CAP member since 1975 and is a retired MPD lieutenant.
"It is very satisfying to see our people get recognized for the great work they do," Leval said. "Most of the top awards at this banquet went to members of our unit, and that says a lot. We are fortunate to have such exceptional and dedicated individuals."
The awards were presented May 14 at the Ohana Hotel.
Of the Civil Air Patrol's 500 members statewide, 35 members belong to the Maui Composite Squadron at Kahului Airport.
Civil Air Patrol is a federally chartered, benevolent, nonprofit organization and is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
The Maui Composite Squadron meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays at its headquarters next to the control tower at Kahului Airport.
For more information, call 877-6117.
