Gallup Raptors Soar
Local CAP squadron wins national honors

Chief Mstr. Sgt. Joe sanchez directs the Civil Air Patrol cadets into formation for exercises during Thursday night's meeting at the Gallup Airport. The Gallup squadron of the CAP was awarded the F. Ward Reilly Leadership Award, a national honor. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

Civil Air Patrol cadet 2nd Lt. Michael Fernandez wears white gloves as he polishes an M-1 rifle while preparing to join the color guard for the start of Thursday evening's meeting at the Gallup Airport. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

GALLUP — The local Civil Air Patrol squadron is the recipient of the F. Ward Reilly Leadership Award, which is awarded to the top CAP program nationwide.

Of 1700 squadrons nationwide, Gallup's program received top honors and will be recognized at the organization's national board meeting later this year. It will also receive a $500 stipend and a streamer to post on the squadron flag.

The CAP program educates its members about aerospace, search and rescue, military etiquette and CAP history. Gallup's squadron has about 50 cadets and senior members whose ages range from 12 to 84. Members meet on Thursday at the municipal airport.

"We are very humbled by the award," member Melinda Sanchez said.

National board members considered the following when choosing which squadron would be chosen for the award :

• Squadron Strength
• Squadron Growth Rate
• Cadet Achievement
• Cadet Encampment Attendance
• Cadet Orientation Flight Participation

In recent months, the squadron also raised about $13,000 to support the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

When the unit was told that Hurricane Katrina evacuees might be relocated to Gallup, members helped the McKinley County Red Cross branch office to prepare a shelter for possible operation.

As a result of the unit's efforts, Gallup Raptor Composite Squadron was recognized also as the New Mexico Squadron of the Year and the Squadron of Merit and received the squadron's first Unit Citation Award.

For helping transform the group within the last four years, former Commander Capt. Jim Stephens was named New Mexico Squadron Commander of the Year for 2005. Public Affairs Officer 2nd Lt. Melinda Sanchez was named New Mexico Wing Public Affairs Officer of the Year for 2005. Capt. Dean Trombley was named New Mexico Wing Logistics Officer of the Year and the Trombley family was named New Mexico Wing Family of the Year.