Durham (LKA 114) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commanding Officer Captain Charles M. Kraft, Jr. A graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College, Captain Bud,, Kraft was commissioned in 1969. He was designated a Naval Aviator in May 1970 and was initially assigned to VAW- 124 as Line Division Officer. In August 1973 he was assigned to a training billet in RVAW-120. Three years later, he transferred to the USS INDEPENDENCE CCV-625 as Assistant Navigator. In April 1978 he reported to the Chief of Naval Operations for duty as the aide and administrative assistant to the DCNO for Air Warfare. In August 1979 he reported to the Commander Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve as the Readiness Officer. He next reported to VAW-122 as Maintenance Officer and completed an Indian Ocean deployment. In July 1981 he returned to RVAW-120 as Executive Officer and fleeted up to Commanding Officer in June 1983. The following year he re- turned to the Chief of Naval Operations as Over-The- Horizon Targeting Program Coordinator. In April 1986 Captain Kraft returned to VAW-120 as Commanding Officer. In September Of 1987 he was again assigned to the Opnav staff as the E-2C and C- 2A Program Coordinator. During this tour Captain Kraft screened for Major Command Afloat and commenced training IU August 1989 for assignment to USS DURHAM. Captain Kraft took command of USS DURHAM on 17 January 1990. Captain Kraft has flown over 3600 hours and made over 400 carrier landings in the E-2 aircraft. His personal decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal- He has also received several campaign and unit awards. Captaln Kraft, his wife Janet and children reside in San Diego and Virgin' ia Beach.

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Executive Officer LCDR John A. Martin Lieutenant Commander Martin was born in Aomori, Japan on June 1, 1955. In June 1978 he graduated from the Univer- sity of Washington and received his com- mission as an Ensign. Later that year he reported to his first ship, USS HIGBEE CDD-8061, as DCA and Engineering Ad- min Officer. In August of 1979, after com- pleting the Surface Warfare Officer School Basic Course in Newport, R.I., LCDR Martin reported aboard USS FRANCIS HAMMOND QFF-10665 as Main Propulsion Assistant. In May 1984, he reported for duty at Fleet Training Group, Pearl Harbor. Following Depart- ment Head School, LCDR Martin was as- signed to CINCPACFLT Propulsion Ex- amining Board, where he screened for Ex- ecutive Officer. He became DURHAM's Executive Officer in October, 1990. LCDR Martin and his wife Debra have three sons, Joshua, Jason, and Jordon. The Martin family resides in Santee, Califor- ma.