 In 1978 the CAP-USAF Commander, Brigadier General Paul E. Gardner, USAF, in a memorandum recommended the use of Civil Air Patrol Corporate funds in the amount of $1,000 to rename and establish the USAF Chief of Staff Sweepstakes Award Trophy as recognition of the national champions.The National Executive Committee of CAP approved on 4 March 1978.The Air Force Chief of Staff at the time, General David C. Jones, USAF, approved of this award and authorized it in the name of all Air Force Chiefs of Staff on 26 April 1978.