Fulton's F. R. Sussey Squadron
Gets First Woman Commander
FULTON -- 1st Lt. Jennifer T. Holdren became the first woman commander of the Civil Air Patrol's F.R. Sussey Composite Squadron following a change-of-command ceremony May 27 at Oswego County Airport.
"Lieutenant Holdren also is the first woman to command a squadron in Central New York Group," noted Group Commander Maj. Carl Anthony, who officiated at the ceremony.
Headquartered at Oswego County Airport, Sussey Squadron operates programs for both senior members and cadets, and trains for air and ground search and rescue, emergency services and disaster relief. Central New York Group is headquartered at Hancock Air National Guard Base in Syracuse and oversees five squadrons in Fulton, Syracuse, Rome and Utica.
Holdren succeeds Capt. Dale Masters as commander. She joined the squadron in 2005, has served as administrative officer and public affairs officer, and has participated in aircraft orientations for youth, cadet bivouacs, a missing person search mission, and an orientation ride aboard the LC-130 Hercules transport aircraft flown by the 109th Airlift Wing out of Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia.
"I plan to focus on three main goals," the new commander announced. "First, I will work to retain the cadet members and their interests, while building on the strengths of the program. Secondly, I want to see more recognition of the squadron and Civil Air Patrol by getting us involved in outreach activities in the community. Lastly, I intend to boost our recruiting efforts for senior members as well as cadets."
She resides in Fulton with her husband, Earl Holdren III, a Civil Air Patrol pilot.
The Civil Air Patrol is the search-and-rescue, cadet-mentoring and aerospace-education auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
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Photo by CAPT EARL HOLDREN III.
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For Media Inquiries:
1st Lt. Bob Stronach, CAP
Public Affairs Officer
Central New York Group, Civil Air Patrol
(315) 796-9468