El Paso (LKA 117) - Naval Cruise Book

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CUMMANDING OFFICER USS EL PASO ROY CASH JR CAPTAIN U.S. NAVY

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COMMAND HIS Ton Y K A ff.,

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,... Captain Roy Cash graduated from Memphis State University in 1962 and was commissioned in May 1963 after completion of Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rl. Shortly thereafter, Captain Cash reported to Pensacola for Naval Aviation Observ- er training. He then reported to VF-101 at NAS Key West for F- 4B training, then to VF-41 at NAS Oceana. After a ten month tour, Captain Cash was ordered back to Pensacola to begin flight training, becoming the first F-4 RIO to retread. Captain Cash reported once again to VF-101 for F-4B training and then to VF-33 aboard USS AMERICA. After an eight month deployment, VF-33 returned to NAS Oceana and became one of the first squadrons to transition to the new F-4J, ln 1968 the Tarsiers deployed to WESTPAC. Captain Cash flew over 130 combat missions and on 10 July he was credited with downing a MIC-21, the first by an F-4J, and the first MIG kill of the Vietnam conflict by an AIRLANT squadron. Following his tour with VF- 33, he reported to the 58th Tactical Fighter Wing, Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ for an exchange tour with the US Air Force. ln August 1971, Captain Cash reported to VF-121 at NAS Miramar for refresher training, then jonied VF-213. He made two deployments to WESTPAC with the Black Lions, including a ten month combat cruise to Southeast Asia where he flew another 175 combat missions, bringing his total to over 300. Subsequent tours of duty included the Naval War College in Newport Rl, and OPNAV in Washington DC. Captain Cash has subsequently commanded Navy Fighter Weapons School at NAS Miramar, Carrier Air Wing 14 onboard USS CORAL SEA, and Fighter Wing One at NAS Oceana. He assumed command of USS EL PASO on 30 Aug 1985. Captain Cash is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. They have a daughter, Kellye, and a son, Carey. Captain Cash and his family reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia. '