Midway (CV 41) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPT m L L HOOD JR. EXECUTIVE OFFICER Capt. W. T. T. Hood was born in Borger, Texas, on August 25, 1940 and raised in Beaumont. Texas. After graduation from Lamar State University in 1963. he entered the Aviation Officer Candidate Program in Pensacola. Florida. He was commissioned an Ensign in November 1963, and designated a Naval Aviator in April 1965. f-ollowing designation, he reported to Fleet Logis- tic Support Squadron TWENTY-ONE Detachment. NAS Alameda. California, for further training prior to reporting to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron TWEN- TY-ONE. Detachment Atsugi Fleet Logistics Support Squadron FIFTY, where he flew Carrier On-Board Delivery missions throughout Southeast Asia. In Sep- tember 1968 he reported to the Naval Safely Center as Managing Editor of Approach and Mech maga- zines. While there, he was also Managing Editor for FATHOM magazine during its establishment and ear- ly growth stages. In September 1970. Capt. Hood has transferred to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE HUN- DRED TEN where he underwent transition training in the E-3B prior to reporting to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN. After two cruises on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) with the BLACK EAGLES, he was transferred to Carrier Air- borne Early Warning Squadron ONE HUNDRED TEN in 1973 as an instructor. There he filled billets as FRAMP. Safely, and Training Department Heads and also obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Illinois University. In August 1976, he reported to the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia for training. Following Graduation, in Sept. 1977, he joined the staff of Commander Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, where he was assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE as Executive Officer. In January 1979. Capt. Hood as- sumed command of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE. In July 1980. he reported to the office of the Chief of Naval Oper- ations as the OPNAV E-2C Program coordinator (OP-506C7). In May 1983. Capt. Hood reported to Commander Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing. U.S. Pacific Fleet, as the Commanding Officer. Carri- er Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE HUNDRED TEN. During his career in the Navy. Capt. Hood has accumulated 6000 flight hours and 500 carrier land- ings. He holds the Meritorious Service Medal (third Award) Navy Commendation Medal (third award). Navy Achievement Medal (second award). Navy Unit Commendation. Meritorious Unit Commenda- tion. Navy Expenditlonary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Various campaign awards from services in Southeast Asia. Capt. Hood is married to Charlcne Perkins Hood of Beaumont Texas. They reside in Yokosuka. Japan with their children Kristina and Taylor. III.

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Captain Kober was born in Washington D.C. where he graduated from Anacostia High School and The George Washington University. He holds a BS Degree and a Master ' s Degree in Internation- al Affairs. Captain Kober is an attack pilot and has served in Va-73, Va-174, Va-15. and VA-81. He commanded Attack Squadron FIFTEEN. Carrier Air Wing Three. Light Attack Wing ONE, and USS Coronado (AGF-II). In addition he attended the Naval War College, served on the Joint Strategic Target Plan- ning Staff, and as the Tactical Air Branch Head on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP 954) in Washington. Captain Kober assumed com- mand of USS MIDWAY on 31 January 1984 on sta- tion in North Arabian Sea. His personal aviation milestones include 1106 carrier arrested landings, over 2CX) combat mis- sions. 2600 flight hours in A7 aircraft, and over 5600 hours of jet flight time in 14 different types of fighter and attack aircraft. His decorations include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Meritorous Service Medals, eighteen Strike Flight and two individual Air Med- als, three Navy Commendation Medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Captain Kober resides in Yokosuka with his wife Rochelle and their youngest daughter Christa. The Kober ' s other four daughter are at- tending universities in the States. CAPT. H.P. KOBER JR. COMMANDING OFFICER USS MIDWAY (CV-41) A MESSAGE TO THE CREW This book depicts one brief period in the proud 40 year history of a magnificent ship, and you and I were there. As you thumb through the pages recapturing your own special memories. I hope that you will feel proud of your accomplish- ments and realize that you are a special part of that proud history. The events of 1984-85 arc all recaptured in these pages. This was not a period for the faint of heart as MIDWAY operations extended from the Northern Pacific to the Indian Ocean off the coast of Oman, and from the South China Sea to the Sea of Japan off the Korean coast. There were two beer picnics. the Green Flash and the day you became a shellback. There was Typhoon Bill and Typhoon Warren and the outstanding grades in the ORE and the OPPRE. The grueling flight operations of FLEETEX 85. Team Spirit and ANNUALEX. A Golden Anchor. The Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Russian Bears. Great port visits in Singapore. Pattaya Beach. Subic Bay. Sasebo. Pusan. Hong Kong and of course beautiful Japan. It was a time to make lasting friendships and work as a team. There were limes when we had to call on that MIDWAY Magic to pull us out of a tough situation, and as always you. the real magicians, came through. You are magnificent. MIDWAY, the best of the best our Navy has to offer. Take care of each other and SA YONARA.

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COMMANDER Rear Admiral Chatham was born in Houston, Texas on October 36. 1934. A graduate of Rice University, he received his commission as a naval officer in June 1956. He was designated a naval aviator upon comple- tion of flight training in August 1957. As an aviator. Rear Admiral Chatham has served in both fighter and attack squadrons and with the Navy Flight Demo nstration Squadron (Blue Angels). He has flown approximately 5.000 hours in over 30 different aircraft types and logged over 1.100 carrier arrested landings. During the Southeast Asia conflict, he flew 366 combat missions into Vietnam. Rear Admiral Chatham has commanded Attack Squadron FIFTY SIX. Carrier Air Wing FIVE. USS HAS- SAYAMPA (AO 145). USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). and Carrier Group SIX. Rear Admiral Chatham has also served on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations-. Commander. SEVENTH Fleet; Commander. U.S. Naval Forces. Ja- pan; Commander. Light Attack Wings Pacific; and Commander in Chief. U.S. Pacific Fleet. On January 26. 1985. Rear Admiral Chatham assumed command of Battle Force SEVENTH Fleet (CTF 70). Carrier Strike Force SEVENTH Fleet (CTF 77). and Carrier Group FIVE. His awards include the Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross (4 awards), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal. Air Medal (10 awards). Strike Flight Air Med- al (35 awards). Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal. Rear Admiral Chatham is married to the former Ann Simkins of Lemoore. California. They have four children. Sean. Greg. Melissa, and Geoffrey. BATTLE FORCE SEVENTH FLEET CARRIER STRIKE FORCE SEVENTH FLEET CARRIER GROUP FIVE REAR ADMIRAL W. LEWIS CHATHAM UNITED STATES NAVY This cruise book is a tribute to you. the officers and men of Carrier Group FIVE. USS MIDWAY, and Carrier Air Wing Five. It is a lasting memory of months of hard work, extended periods of time at sea. some great liberty, and. best of all. friendships. It is also a tribute to the finest ship in the Pacific Fleet today, USS MIDWAY (CV 41). a grand old lady who has earned the deepest respect and admiration from those who have served in her over the past 40 years and the respect of those people of different cultures who have seen her magic work. It has been a distinct pleasure and a privilege for me to be a part of the MIDWAY team over the years and to have been associated with so many of the Navy ' s best. I wish all of you continued happiness and success in the years ahead. Press on! Sincerely, W. LEWIS CHATHA I Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy