Fitzgerald (DDG 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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c o u ■o Commander Alfred (Al) Collins was born in Warner Robins, GA. He enlisted in the Navy in 1972 and advanced through the rank of Operations Specialist Chief Petty Officer. He achieved his education during off duty hours at the University of South Alabama, National University and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). While enlisted, his assignments included USS LEXINGTON (CVT 1 6), USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST1189),NavalTraining Center, Orlando, FL and USS PEGASUS (PHM 1 ). In August of 1983 Chief Collins was commissioned as an Ensign in theLimited Duty Officer program. His first commissioned tour was in USS PEGASUS (PHM 1) as combat system division officer.ln January 1 984 he was transferred to USSTRUXTUN (CGN 35) in San Diego, CA. He was assigned duties as Systems Test Officer (STO) and Assistant Operations Officer. His first shore assignment came in February 1 987, where he was assigned to the Navy Tactical Interoperability Support Activity as Test Director for Navy ' s Tactical Digital Information Links. After serving in the Limited Duty Officer programfor four years, Lieutenant Collins laterally transferred to the Surface Warfare unrestricted line. He completed the Surface Warfare Officer curriculum in Newport, Rhode 2 Island and was assigned as Operations Officer in USS ENGLAND (CG 22) in San Diego, CA. During ENGLAND ' S 1 990 deployment to the Arabian Gulf, Lieutenant Commander Collins play a key role in Commander Middle East Force ' s immediate reaction to Iraq ' s invasion ofKuwaitonAugust2ND. In October 1992, he was transferred to the Bureau of Naval Personnel Washington, D.C. to serve as Branch Head for Enlisted Bonus Programs in theCompensation and Policy Coordination Division. Upon completion of his assignment in Washington, D.C. Lieutenant Commander Collins attended eight-month curricula in tactics, doctrine and marine engineering in preparation for Command at Sea. OnJuly 7, 1995 Lieutenant Commander CollinstookcommandofUSS GLADIATOR (MCM 12) while the ship was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea operating with NATO Mine Warfare forces. The change of com- mand occurred during a port visit to Lisbon, Portugal. After his deployment to the Med- iterranean and in response to the potential mine threat in the Arabian Gulf,theNavy permanently assigned two Mine Counter- Measure ships to the region. In November 1997 Lieutenant Commander Collins and his crew was ordered to the Arabian Gulf to command USS ARDENT (MCM 11). Upon completion of his command tour on USS ARDENT in March 1998, CommanderCollins was transferred to shore duty and assigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. There he served asthe Force Personnel Officerand Program Manager for the Women-at-Sea Program. After serving on the staff for one year Com- mander Collins was selected to serve as Executive Assistant (EA) to the Commander. Commander Collins ' personal decorations include theMeritorious Service Medal with gold star,Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars. Navy Achievement Medal with three gold stars, and Navy Good Cond- uct Medal with two bronzestars. He has been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious UnitCommendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver star, Expert Pistol Ribbon, and Kuwait Liberation Medal (KUWAIT). ■

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Mark W.Harris Lieutenant Commander Mark Harris is a native of Huntington, New York. He at- tended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and graduated in 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Technology. ■ Lieutenant Commander Harris began his naval career with the NROTC program at Purdue University and was commissioned an Ensign in December 1 986. His initial sea tour followed as a member of the commissioning crew in USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56) serving as Anti-Surface Strike Warfare Officer and Navigator. As a Department Head he served as commissioning Weapons Officer in USS MITSCHER (DDG 57) and completed a follow on tour as Combat Systems Officer. Lieutenant Commander Harris is presently serving as the Executive Officer onboard USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62). Lieutenant Commander Mark Harris ' tours ashore include duty as Strike Leader Attack Training Syllabus (SLATS) Instructor and Tomahawk Strike Planner at the U.S. Naval Strike Warfare Center, Fallon, Nevada; and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Surface Warfare Directorate (N86), Land Attack Warfare branch. ■ Lieutenant Commander Harris ' personal awards include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as various service and campaign awards. .