Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPT T. A. Zecchin Commanding Officer USS DENVER (LPD-9) Captain Todd A. Zecchin is a native of Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1980. He was commissioned through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate program in August 1980. In 1981 he was presented with his Wings of Gold and reported to an initial operational assignment flying the P-3B MOD with Patrol Squadron SIX, homeported at Naval Air Station Barber ' s Point Hawaii. Captain Zecchin ' s first shore-duty assignment was as the Personnel Exchange Program pilot assigned to the Royal Air Force No. 42 Squadron at Royal Air Force St Mawgan, United Kingdom flying the British Aerospace Nimrod MR MK II aircraft. After a short stint at the Jet Transitional Training Unit in Kingsville, Texas he reported for duty at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington for several flying tours on the EA-6B Prowler. Initially assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron ONE FOUR ONE he deployed aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) and took part in Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM and PROVIDE COMFORT. His next tour was as the Operations Officer at Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE EIGHT and subsequent deployment to the Arabian Gulf as a participant in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). From there he proceeded to the EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron, Electronic Attack Squadron ONE TWO NINE as the Training Officer and Instructor Pilot. During this tour he had a period of study at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies. Returning to the Pacific Northwest he reported back to Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE EIGHT as Commanding Officer and completed deployments with Marine Air Group TWELVE, Iwakuni Japan and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). In 1999 he led the squadron to Aviano AB, Italy where they were seconded to the United States Air Force 31st Fighter Wing and participated in Operation ALLIED FORCE. Following his Aviation Command tour he was assigned as the Executive Officer of the U.S. Navy ' s youngest conventional Aircraft Carrier, USS JOHN E KENNEDY (CV 67). Prior to reporting aboard USS DENVER (LPD 9) he was the Military Communications Electronics Board division chief in the J6 Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Captain Zecchin has amassed more than 5,000 flight hours, nearly 600 Carrier arrested landings and 150 Combat Missions. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards). Air Medal (eight awards, one with Combat V ), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards, one with Combat V ) and numerous meritorious unit and campaign service awards. ' M

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LCDR K. E Boyle Executive Officer USS DENVER (LPD-9) Lieutenant Commander Boyle is a native of Cliicago, Illinois. He was commissioned into the US. Navy in December 1990 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Command at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Following completion of the Division Officer training course at the Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island he reported to his first command aboard the USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY (LST 1192). During this tour he was assigned duties as Gunnery Officer, 01 Division Officer, and Auxiliaries and Electrical Officer. During this tour, he completed 2 deployments to the Mediterranean and was involved in operations in support of Operation Desert Storm. In June 1994, he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. In September of 1996 he graduated with a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree with a concentration in Material Studies. In June of 1997, he reported to USS PORTLAND (LSD37) as Operations Off icer. During this tour he made anorLer deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. Following this eighteen-month tour, in December 1999, Lieutenant Commander Boyle reported to Commander, Amphibious Squadron Seven as the Staff Material Officer. During his two years aboard he completed a Western Pacific deployment, including substantial operations in the 5th Fleet AOR. In December 2001, he reported to Commander Naval Readiness Command Midwest as Training Officer. He later fleeted up to serve as Director of Manpower, Personnel and Training for 26 Reserve Centers in a six state region. It was while in Great Lakes, where he earned a Masters in Business Administration from Websters University. He next accepted orders to serve on the staff of Commander Naval Reserve Forces Command in New Orleans to serve as the Program Manager for Recall Support where he directed the recall to active duty of several thousand Naval Reservists in direct support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Finally, in April of 2004, LCDR Boyle reported to USS DENVER (LPD-9) as Executive Officer. Lieutenant Commander Boyle ' s Personal awards include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous campaign and unit awards.