Concord (AFS 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER Captain DONALD VAUX BOECKER United States Navy Captain Boecker grew up in Napersville, Illinois, where he was active in all sports, earned his Eagle Scout badge and learned to fly as an Air Scout. He attended Columbian Prep School in Washington, D.C. and through the reserves earned an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956. He played both varsity golf and football at the academy and was graduated in 1960. He commenced flight training at Pensacola, Florida, and was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1962. After completing training in the A-4C aircraft, he was assigned to Attack Squadron SEVENTY-SIX where he deployed aboard the USS ENTERPRISE for her first two Mediterranean deployments and also participated in the Cuban Blockade. Capt. Boecker transferred to Attack Squadron SEVENTY-FIVE in September 1963 and served as Personnel Officer in the first A-6 squadron. He deployed to Southeast Asia and on 14 July 1965, while on a combat mission, was forced to eject over enemy territory where he successfully evaded the enemy and was rescued eighteen hours later. A second cruise aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE took him to the Mediterranean for the initial A-6A deployment with the Sixth Fleet. In September 1966, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, graduating in June 1967. He served as team leader for a joint Navy Air Force preliminary evaluation of the A-7D E aircraft, completed the joint service evaluation, and later became Project Officer in charge of the Board of Inspection Survey Trials for the A-7E at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. In October 1969 he reported to Attack Squadron FORTY-TWO, the A-6 readiness squadron at NAS Oceana, where he served as an A-6 instructor pilot and as Training Officer. In November of 1970 he reported to Attack Squadron SEVENTY-FIVE and served as Maintenance Officer during a Mediterranean CV deployment aboard the USS SARATOGA. In April 1972 he was assigned as Plans and Programs Officer on Commander Medium Attack Wing ONE Staff at NAS Oceana. In May of 1973 Capt. Boecker reported as Executive Officer of Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE aboard the USS FORRESTAL in the Med. On July 1, 1974 he assumed command of Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE aboard the USS FORRESTAL anchored off Palma, Spain and remained in command during another Mediterranean deploy- ment until November 1975. Capt. Boecker then served for three years in Washington at the Naval Air Systems Command as A-6 Class Desk Officer where he was in charge of all technical improvements to the A-6E airplanes — most importantly, the Target Recognition Attack Multisen- sor (TRAM). In May 1978 he reported as Executive Officer of the USS SARATOGA in Mayport, Florida where he served until November 1979. In December 1979 he reported to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering) where he was Staff Specialist in the Tactical Air Warfare Branch. He was responsible for monitoring the aircraft programs, preparing answers to Congressional questions and keeping the Under Secretary of Defense informed on Navy and Airforce fighter aircraft, particularly the F-14, F-15, F-16 and F-18 ' s. In August 1981 he attended the Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Capt. Boecker has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, six Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals with combat V , the Combat Action Ribbon, a Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and several Viet Nam decora- tions. Capt. Boecker is married to the former Gay Lanier Scott of Winter Haven, Florida. They have six children: Michele, Stephanie, Danielle, Virginia, Dione and Scott.

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z M There is a couch of the romantic in most every sea-going man. To him the boundless sea represents freedom. This book has been created for the romantic in you, the Concord sailor, not so much as a souvenir but rather as a collection of two dimensional memories. The words have been kept to a minimum. Hopefully the photos will speak for themselves for they are your memories ■ slices our of your life spent in the sun drenched, deep blue Mediterranean in 1982. Each photo represents l 60th to l 500th of a second out ot the 15,033,600 some seconds this six month cruise involved. Also, just as there are no milestones on the sea there are no page numbers in this book. Open to any page and enjoy.

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CDR Vtipil was born in Pittsburg, PA, graduated from Allegheny High School and was commissioned in 1968 after attending the U.S. Naval Academy. From 1968 to 1971 he served aboard the USS CLAUDE V. RICKETTS (DDC-5) as Electronics Material Officer and Combat Information Center Officer. From 1971 to 1973 he served as Executive Officer of the minesweeper USS ENHANCE (MSO-437) participating in Operation Endsweep clearing mines from Haiphong Harbor. CDR Vtipil attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA from 1974 to 1975 earning a Master of Science Degree in material management. After Department Head School in Newport, Rl, he served as Operations Officer aboard the USS HARRY E. YARNELL (CC-17) from 1976 to 1978 and from there to Washington serving as Assistant Director for Enlisted Policy for Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. CDR Vtipil relieved CDR D. H. Kreiger in February 1981 as Executive Officer of the USS CONCORD (AFS-5). EXECUTIVE OFFICER Commander DONALD S. VTIPIL United States Navy