Col Phelka is the New Vice Commander

Started by MSG Mac, August 09, 2017, 11:26:48 PM

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MSG Mac

http://www.cap.news/great-lakes-regions-phelka-named-next-natl-vice-commander/

Col Ed Phelka was appointed the new CAP Vice Commander, effective 2 Sep 2017.
Congratulations Colonel (soon to be BG) Phelka
Michael P. McEleney
Lt Col CAP
MSG USA (Retired)
50 Year Member

Eclipse

GLR's loss will be to the significant gain of the organization as a whole, just as with Col Smith,
his resume reads like a template for a CAP national staffer in regards to experience and
past duties.

My money is on his getting a second star after Col Smith.

"That Others May Zoom"

ProdigalJim

Both Smith and Phelka seem to have great bios. I don't know either of them well, and don't really know about their work. But they seem like really sharp guys, both of them. A great move for all of us!
Jim Mathews, Lt. Col., CAP
VAWG/XP
My Mitchell Has Four Digits...

Slim

I've known Col Phelka personally for going on 20 years now, and consider him not only a mentor but a close and personal friend. 

Ten years ago, shortly after he made wing commander out in Colorado, an envelope showed up in my mailbox containing his Lt Col epaulets and a personal note.  A month ago, I gave them back to him so he could "Pin" them on for me.

I may be biased, but there are few leaders in CAP that I trust, respect, and admire the way I do Col Phelka.


Slim

Papabird

Quote from: Slim on August 10, 2017, 09:41:59 AM
I've known Col Phelka personally for going on 20 years now, and consider him not only a mentor but a close and personal friend. 

Ten years ago, shortly after he made wing commander out in Colorado, an envelope showed up in my mailbox containing his Lt Col epaulets and a personal note.  A month ago, I gave them back to him so he could "Pin" them on for me.

I may be biased, but there are few leaders in CAP that I trust, respect, and admire the way I do Col Phelka.

He was the one that approved my Lt Col (he personally called me to congratulate me)  and handed them to my daughter's to pin on me.  My most cherished coin is the one he presented me.

Full bias here as well, but he will be a great leader for our national organization.
Michael Willis, Lt. Col CAP
Georgia Wing

♠SARKID♠

Quote from: Eclipse on August 10, 2017, 12:21:50 AM
GLR's loss will be to the significant gain of the organization as a whole, just as with Col Smith,
his resume reads like a template for a CAP national staffer in regards to experience and
past duties.

My money is on his getting a second star after Col Smith.

+1

If you ever get him cornered, ask him to tell the Blue Angels takeoff story.

Slim

Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on August 15, 2017, 07:59:14 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on August 10, 2017, 12:21:50 AM
GLR's loss will be to the significant gain of the organization as a whole, just as with Col Smith,
his resume reads like a template for a CAP national staffer in regards to experience and
past duties.

My money is on his getting a second star after Col Smith.

+1

If you ever get him cornered, ask him to tell the Blue Angels takeoff story.

The famous Cessna high performance takeoff!

He loves telling that story.  I was the one who told him, I was flying right seat in the CAP Cessna behind the blue jet.


Slim

♠SARKID♠

Quote from: Slim on August 16, 2017, 09:49:42 AM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on August 15, 2017, 07:59:14 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on August 10, 2017, 12:21:50 AM
GLR's loss will be to the significant gain of the organization as a whole, just as with Col Smith,
his resume reads like a template for a CAP national staffer in regards to experience and
past duties.

My money is on his getting a second star after Col Smith.

+1

If you ever get him cornered, ask him to tell the Blue Angels takeoff story.

The famous Cessna high performance takeoff!

He loves telling that story.  I was the one who told him, I was flying right seat in the CAP Cessna behind the blue jet.

You are legendary.

SouthernCross

Sarkid....

I may never meet Col Phelka personally. Can you share the story?

♠SARKID♠

Quote from: SouthernCross on August 16, 2017, 03:35:06 PM
Sarkid....

I may never meet Col Phelka personally. Can you share the story?

Text cannot do it near enough justice. Slim, you are hereby tasked to get him to tell it at his pinning on and record it for posterity.

Abby.L

Man, I remember attending my first COWG wing conference as a young C/SSgt and just being awe-inspired by our then WG/CC Col Phelka. I have great hopes for the future of our organization with him behind the reins(Or, behind the person behind the reins, rather).

I was quite sad when he went off to Michigan(I think it was), but I'm glad to hear that he's doing positive things.
Capt Abby R. Lockling
SSgt(Sep) USAF, 41ECS
Charlie flight, NBB 2013

NIN

Quote from: SouthernCross on August 16, 2017, 03:35:06 PM
Sarkid....

I may never meet Col Phelka personally. Can you share the story?

Chances are very good you will get the opportunity.
Darin Ninness, Col, CAP
I have no responsibilities whatsoever
I like to have Difficult Adult Conversations™
The contents of this post are Copyright © 2007-2024 by NIN. All rights are reserved. Specific permission is given to quote this post here on CAP-Talk only.

SouthernCross

Well... since I'll be going to SA, I may have to find him and corner him to get the story out....lol

SarDragon

Hit him up about Col. Burke and heavy jet time. Or even better, ask Col. Burke.

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Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

NIN

That's best to ask when they are together. 

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Darin Ninness, Col, CAP
I have no responsibilities whatsoever
I like to have Difficult Adult Conversations™
The contents of this post are Copyright © 2007-2024 by NIN. All rights are reserved. Specific permission is given to quote this post here on CAP-Talk only.

SarDragon

Quote from: NIN on August 18, 2017, 03:14:11 AM
That's best to ask when they are together. 

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You have a point there.

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Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

JoeTomasone

I met Col Phelka at a Squadron meeting I dropped in on during a brief trip to MI.  He made an immediate and very positive impression on me.   They made a good choice. 


Pylon

Outstanding choice for Civil Air Patrol.


Congratulations, Col. Phelka!
Michael F. Kieloch, Maj, CAP

MSG Mac

Michael P. McEleney
Lt Col CAP
MSG USA (Retired)
50 Year Member

Nick

Quote from: MSG Mac on August 19, 2017, 03:51:42 PM
Should be BG (select) Phelka
... if CAP had such a program. And it would be Brig Gen (Sel).


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Nicholas McLarty, Lt Col, CAP
Texas Wing Staff Guy
National Cadet Team Guy Emeritus