Mount Baker (AE 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commander C.W. Neihart Former Commanding Officer

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OFmT Born in Columbia, S.C, CDR Burnette attended public schools in nearby Florence, then enrolled in the University ot South Carolina in Columbia, where he affiliated with the NROTC unit. He gradu- ated and was commissioned in 1973. His first sea tour was aboard USS PENSACOLA (LSD 38) where he served in various division officer billets, culminating his tour as the ship ' s navigator. After a follow-on, shore-duty assignment in the officers ' programs section at Navy Recruiting District Columbia, he attended the Surface Warfare Department Head School in Newport, R.I. His first department head assignment was as Weapons Officer in USS BUCHANAN (DDG 14) from December 1979 until August 1981, which was followed by his tour as Chief Engineer Officer in USS BARBOUR COUNTY (LST 1 1 95) from October 1981 until April 1983. Both ships were homeported in San Diego, Ca. He then reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Ca. , where he received a Master of Science degree in transportation management, followed by six months of logistical training at the Navy School of Physical Distribution Management in Oakland, Ca, He then returned to sea as Executive Officer in USS NITRO (AE 23) in September 1985. He completed his tour aboard NITRO in December 1987 and reported to the staff of Surface Warfare Officers ' School Command in Newport, R.I., where he instructed prospective Commanding and Executive Officers until May 1991. CDR Burnette is married to the former Susan Langston of Florence, and they have two daughters. Anno and Leigh.

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Lieutenant Commander Robert L. Howard Executive Officer LCDR Robert L. Howard was born in Vinton, Iowa, in October of 1955. After attending Iowa State University under the Naval ROTC Program, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, and was commissioned an Ensign in 1978. His initial duty assignment after commissioning was in USS WHITE PLAINS (APS 4), in Yokosuko, Japan, where he served as RASE Division Officer, Communications Officer, CIC Officer, Navigator, and Operations Officer. He was then assigned to the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from November 1 98 1 until October 1 983. While there, he was assigned to the Personnel and Manpower Division, and as a watch officer in the Fleet Command Center. After attending the Surface Warfare Officer School ' s department head course in Newport, R.I., he reported aboard USS KLAKRING (FFG 42) as Combat Systems Officer in August of 1984. He subsequently served as readiness officer and operations officer on the staff of the Commander, Destroyer Squadron Four, in Charleston, S.C, from July 1986 until April of 1988. In May of 1988, he assumed command of the Naval Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. While in command, he attended evening postgraduate school classes, and received a master ' s degree in business administration. LCDR Howard ' s decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal (five awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal (two awards), and other service awards. He is the son of Robert D. Howard of Jefferson, Iowa, and Eleanor M. Riemcke of Cushing, Minn. LCDR Howard is married to the former Sarah Crosby of Charleston, S.C. , and they have two daughters, Caroline and Elizabeth.