California (CGN 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE COMMAND MASTER CHIEF MASTER CHIEF MATTHEW A. LONG Born in Midland City, Alabama, GMTCM(SW) Matthew A. Long enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Slocomb High School, Slocomb, Alabama, in May 1962. His first duty assignment was served aboard the NAS Alameda, California- based USS Midway (CVA 41). He made two WESTPAC cruises before attending Gunnery School at Great Lakes, Illi nois, in early 1966. Once, he had completed transition training for MK-16 Anti-Submarine Rocket Launching Systems (ASROC), he served for two years on USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869). In September 1969 he reported to Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia, as an instructor in Counterinsurgency and Survival, Escape, Resistance, and Evasion (SERE), this was followed by an instructor tour in January 1971 at the Gunnery Class B School at Great Lakes. GMTCM(SW) Long then reported to the USS California (DLGN 36) subsequently instrumental in the formulation of shipboard Personnel Qualification Standards and in the infc giiKin»iiiMiaJiiiii«w ship ' s armament for California-class ships. In July 1974 he enrolled in the Navy ' s Associate Degree Completion Program (ADCOP). He graduated in December 1975 with an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Management from Pensacoia Junior College. During February 1976, Master Chief Long reported aboard USS Bausell (DD-845) where he carried out the duties of Weapons Department Leading Petty Officer, ASW Division Officer, and Command Master Chief until the ship ' s decommissioning in May 1978. In mid- 1978 he attended Human Resource Management School in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1979 he assumed the duties of Human Resource Management Specialist and Command Master Chief at HUMRESMANCEN, San Diego. California. Then, in May 1982, GMTCM(SW) Long assumed the duties as Command Master Chief aboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43). Just more than two years later he again reported aboard the USS California as Command Master Chief, the senior enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer for all policies and matters concerning the enlisted community. . His decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Efficiency E , five Good Conduct Awards, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal. Cross of Gallantry (with Palm), and the Vietnam Campaign Medal (with device). He also wears the Enlisted Surface Warfare Cutlasses and large Command Master Chief Badge. He is married to the former Maxine McCoy of Lonoke, Arkansas. They have three children.

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THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER ■ ♦ ' I % ' 0 COMMANDER GEORGE E. BIEDA The son of Edward and Felicia Bieda, Commander Bieda was born at Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. An Air Force junior, he grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and attended high school in Waipahu Hawaii, where he graduated in 1965. Four years later he was commissioned an Ensign, U.S. Navy, after receiving a bachelor ' s degree in Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. The following year he attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School where he completed a master ' s degree in Oceanography in 1970. That same year he attended the Nuclear Power School at Mare Island, California, before attending AlW prototype training in 1971 at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Later in 1971 he reported aboard the USS Truxton (CGN 35) where he served as Auxiliaries and Electrical Division Officer for two years. He then served two years on the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completing his tour as Chemistry and Radiological Controls Officer there in 1976. For the next two years he was Nuclear Cruiser Material Officer for COMNAVSURFPAC In San Diego, California. He left that position in 1978 to attend the Destroyer Department Head Training Course at Newport, Rhode Island, before returning to the USS Enterprise in 1979 as Main Propulsion Assistant. His last tour of duty before reporting aboard the USS California as Executive Officer on April 17, 1984, was at CINCPACFLT, Honolulu, where he served on the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board between 1981 and 1983. In addition to nine medals relating to his Vietnam War service. Commander Bieda holds the Meritorious Service medal, the Navy Commendation medal and the Navy Achievement medal. He is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Esther Joy Cayetano, the daughter of David and Fely Cayetano of Ewa Beach Hawaii. They have two sons, Edward and David.

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A WESTPAC THAT WASN ' T Originally slated for the summer of 1984, California ' s first WESTPAC was reschedule in the 1 1th hour in order for the Golden Grizzly to participate In a special surveillance mission conducted off the Eastern coast of the Soviet Union. The summer of 84 will be remembered by most crewmembers for the cold air and calm seas native to the Kamchacka peninsula. While all hands put in extra hours to make the mission a success, the uniqueness of the assignment had it ' s obvious advantages. Going topside one could observe various ships and crafts of the USSR and KGB keeping close watch of every move the California made - a field day for photographers. The mission also afforded the crew a rare opportunity to see a soviet country at close range with the Petropavlosk land- scape clearly visible from 14 miles.