Air Force vice chief of staff presents honor to Cadet of the Year

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Cadet 2nd Class Kyle Haak was honored as the British Air Squadron’s 2018 Cadet of the Year during a ceremony Nov. 6, 2018, at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.

During the ceremony, presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson, Haak was recognized for his demonstrated excellence in academics, military skills, and athletics while enrolled at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“He is the epitome of a scholar, leader and an athlete; he is the epitome of the American Airman,” Wilson said.

Established in 2000 by the private Royal Air Squadron organization, the award is a symbol of the enduring British-American friendship. Each year, the Royal Air Squadron selects one honoree from among all cadets enrolled in the active and ROTC and at the Air Force Academy. Recipients of the award receive the Millennium Sword, which is kept on permanent display in the Pentagon.

According to the award citation, Haak was ranked number one of 1,018 cadets overall. He maintained a 4.0 grade point average while traveling across the globe researching the integration of Einstein Energy and desalination as a Stamps scholar. Furthermore, he led the Air Force Hockey team to the Atlantic Conference Championship and was named an Academic All-American.

Haak credited all his mentors and leaders as well as his family who encouraged him throughout his journey.

“I’m so grateful to be receiving this award,” said Haak. “I’ve been given so many amazing opportunities and I hope to continue to lead, to serve and to keep moving forward.”

Haak is the Bravo-3 Element Leader for Cadet Squadron 31, Cadet Group 4, commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he studies Physics and Nuclear Weapons and Strategy.