Recognizing Captain Adan ``cherry'' Covarrubias

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Adan ``Cherry'' Covarrubias, the Commodore for Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing, at Naval Air Station Lemoore, on the occasion of his Change of Command and retirement. CAPT Covarrubias is a native of Buena Park, California, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in History from the United States Naval Academy in 1998. Two years later, in December 2000, he earned his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold. Over a Navy career spanning twenty-five years, CAPT Covarrubias has served his country with honor. During his first Fleet tour, he flew the F/A-18C Hornet with VFA-113 the ``Stingers'' at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California until 2005. During this tour, he deployed on board USS Abraham Lincoln with Carrier Air Wing Fourteen from 2002 to 2003, where he completed a 10-month combat deployment and flew combat missions during Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM, and conducted opening night strikes during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2004 he completed a second deployment onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). CAPT Covarrubias completed several operational assignments, serving with VFA-125 the ``Rough Raiders'' in 2005 as an F/A-18 flight instructor; Carrier Air Wing Nine in 2007 as CAG landing signals officer and Assistant Operations Officer aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74); and VFA-146 the ``Blue Diamonds'' in 2009 aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). CAPT Covarrubias completed an assignment to the Joint Staff, J3 at the Pentagon where he served in the National Military Command Center from 2011 to 2013. He later was assigned to Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee where he managed all naval aviation manpower resourcing for commanders and below. CAPT Covarrubias commanded several strike fighter squadrons during his time in service. From 2014 to 2016. CAPT Covarrubias served as the executive officer and commanding officer of VFA-146 the ``Blue Diamonds''. During this tour he led the squadron to a successful transition from Legacy Hornets to Super Hornets, earning the coveted Carrier Air Wing Eleven Golden Wrench award, a top honor on the flight line. In 2018 he was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base to serve as the commanding officer of VFA-101 the ``Grim Reapers'' and led the deactivation efforts of the Navy's first F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron. In 2019 CAPT Covarrubias returned to NAS Lemoore to take command of the Navy's F-35C Joint Strike Fighter training command, VFA-125 the ``Rough Raiders''. In 2020. CAPT Covarrubias was named Commodore of the Joint Strike Fighter Wing at NAS Lemoore, in command of all U.S. Navy F-35C squadrons. Under his leadership, a new $100 million state-of-the-art aircraft hangar was opened in 2021 to house VFA-97 and VFA-147, the U.S. Navy's only F-35C fleet squadrons. CAPT Covarrubias also oversaw the U.S. Navy's first- ever forward deployment of the F-35C in 2021 with VFA-147 the ``Argonauts'' of Carrier Air Wing Two onboard USS Carl Vinson. CAPT Covarrubias earned several personal awards during his service including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals (one with a combat ``V''), four Navy Commendation Medals (one with a combat ``V''), a Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign, service, and unit awards. He has logged over 2,000 flight hours in the F-18 Legacy and Super Hornet as well as the F-35C. Not only is CAPT Covarrubias a highly decorated naval aviator, but he is also a fixture in the community--whether as a volunteer football coach for Sierra Pacific High School or serving on my office's Service Academy Nominations Board. CAPT Covarrubias exemplifies what it means to serve, and his dedication to our country is an inspiration to all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating and honoring Captain Adan ``Cherry'' Covarrubias during his Change of Command and for his years of service to our country.

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