[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN ADAN ``CHERRY'' COVARRUBIAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 17, 2023

  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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