CAP Important to His Aviation Career,
Fighter Pilot Tells Central NY Banquet
WHITESBORO, NY -- Air Force Maj. Richard Lubey grew up in the Civil Air Patrol ranks, in love with aviation. He attained the rank of Cadet Lt. Colonel and learned how to fly a Cessna 172 before going off to the U.S. Air Force Academy to fulfill his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, eventually flying an F-16 in combat in Iraq.
Guest speaker at Central New York Group's Awards and Recognition Banquet at Hart's Hill Inn on April 21, Major Lubey related how he was only 8 years old when he fell in love. It happened when his parents brought him to the open house and air show at the former Griffiss Air Force Base, and he got to climb up the ladder to the cockpit of an F-106 Delta Dart fighter interceptor. He looked inside and smiling back at him was the pilot.
"Do you believe they pay me to fly this thing!" the pilot beamed.
The young Lubey scrambled down the ladder and announced to his parents, that's what he wanted to do. Fly fighter jets.
When he was able to finally join Utica Cadet Squadron at the age of 12, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) not only fueled his dream, but gave him an advantage, made him better prepared, in his future Air Force career, Major Lubey told the crowd of 115 senior members, cadets and family members representing the Group's five squadrons.
Now, in his position as chief of Current Operations at the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, NY, site of the former Air Force Base, Lubey said he "has been enlightened as to what CAP does for national defense and in disaster relief."
From providing reliable, cost-effective training alternatives for the Air Force and Air Guard, to participating in search and rescue operations, to assisting in disaster relief in hurricanes and floods, "it's pretty amazing."
"On behalf of my bosses" at NEADS, one of two North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) sectors, "thank you."
"Thank you for your passion for leadership, for your passion for aviation... for your passion for excellence."
Recalling his time as a CAP cadet, Major Lubey said: "We didn't go on camp-outs and sing campfire songs. We went on bivouacs, stayed in tents, and learned survival skills." Like today's cadets, he also got to fly in airplanes and was immersed in aerospace education.
"The spectrum of experience you get in CAP, you're not going to find anywhere else."
Recognizing he was a former member of Utica Cadet Squadron, the current squadron commander, Capt Chuck Hereth, presented Lubey with a squadron challenge coin. Prior to the talk, Captain Hereth, who was master of ceremonies, received a surprise himself when Group Commander Maj. Carl Anthony presented him with two Group awards, Senior Member of the Year and Cadet Orientation Pilot of the Year.
Capt. Chuck Hereth receives Senior Member of the Year Award
from Central NY Group Commander Maj Carl Anthony (right).
At left is NY Wing Vice Commander Lt Col Mark Caiello.
Squadron of the Year honors went to Rome City School District Cadet Squadron, commanded by Capt Jeff Crippen, who also was named Cadet Program Officer of the Year.
Captain Crippen took the opportunity to present an award himself -- a special certificate of recognition for Rome City School District, which he gave to School Superintendent Jeffrey Simons, for the district's outstanding support of the CAP cadet program.
Another special guest, Rome Mayor James Brown, who remarked that "the world would be a better place" if "all kids could experience CAP," got into the act, too, awarding city medallions to Captain Crippen, his wife, First Lt Michelle Crippen, and Air Force Master Sgt. Della Pray of the school district's JROTC program. Noting that the Rome area lost two of its own in the past month -- Lance Cpl. Daniel Geary and Lance Cpl. Blaise Oleski, both killed in action in Afghanistan -- the mayor lauded the trio for helping the families of the fallen Marines. "They were with these families from day one."
From left: AF Master Sgt. Della Pray, Capt Jeff Crippen,
1st Lt Michelle Crippen and Mayor James Brown
Members of the Geary family were at the banquet, and the mayor, on behalf of a grateful community, thanked them for their sacrifice, prompting a standing ovation for the fallen Marine's mother, grandmother and brother (a CAP cadet).
Other Group Awards:
-- Cadet of Year: C/1st Lt William Coons of Syracuse Cadet Squadron, who also was named Emergency Services Member of the Year.
-- Cadet NCO of the Year: C/CMSgt Austin Pearce of Syracuse Cadet Squadron.
-- Aerospace Education Officer of the Year: Lt Col Fritz Koennecke, commander of Syracuse Cadet Squadron.
-- Communications/Technical Officer of the Year: Maj. Gerald Marketos, former commander of Mohawk-Griffiss Senior Squadron, Rome.
-- Group Certificate of Appreciation for helping to train new members in the process of forming a squadron in the Watertown area: Capt Michael Kieloch of F.R. Sussey Composite Squadron in Fulton.
The Amelia Earhart Award was presented to C/Capt Nicholas Kulesa of Utica Cadet Squadron.
The Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, along with promotion to cadet officer ranks, was given to:
-- C/2nd Lt Daniel Hereth of Utica Cadet Squadron.
-- C/2nd Lt Bethany Roczen of Utica Cadet Squadron.
-- C/2nd Lt Ben Moe of Utica Cadet Squadron.
-- C/2nd Lt Kyle Gentile of Syracuse Cadet Squadron.
-- C/2nd Lt Sylvester Pegues of Rome City School District Squadron.
The Wright Brothers Award, marking completion of Phase 1 of the cadet program, was presented to:
-- C/TSgt Joshua Davidson, Sussey Composite Squadron, Fulton.
-- C/SSgt Alyssa Crippen, Rome School Squadron.
-- C/TSgt Jeffery Crippen, Rome School Squadron.
-- C/SSgt Dennis Drake, Rome School Squadron.
-- C/TSgt Wyatt Frazier, Rome School Squadron.
-- C/TSgt Jonathan Vega, Rome School Squadron.
-- C/SSgt Lance Watkins, Rome School Squadron.
-- C/SSgt Tyler Kulesa, Utica Cadet Squadron.
-- C/SSgt Justin Fazekes, Utica Cadet Squadron.
Two other special guests were New York Wing's vice commander, Lt Col Mark Caiello, and the wing's chief of staff, Lt Col Tom Carello.
###
For Media Inquiries:
1st Lt. Bob Stronach, CAP
Public Affairs Officer
Central New York Group, Civil Air Patrol
(315) 796-9468