Wabash (AOR 5) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

CAPTAIN GEORGE D. O'BRlEN Captain George D. O'Brien was born in Detroit, Michigan and lived there and in Washing- ton, D.C. before graduating from the University of Detroit High School in june 1956. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy one month later and was commissioned in june 1960. After flight training in Florida and Texas, Captain O'Brien reported to Naval Air Station, jacksonville, Florida where he joined Patrol Squadron Sixteen KVP-165. During this tour, he completed deployments to Iceland, Bermuda, and Cape Town, South Africa, and quali- fied as Patrol Plane Commander in the P-2 and P-3 aircraft. In December 1965, Captain O'Brien reported to the Naval Postgraduate School, Monte- rey, California, where in june 1970, he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Aeronautical Engineerin , and was selected for membership in Sigma Xi. After comple- tion of jet transition and replacement training in the A-6 aircraft in july 1971, Captain O'Brien reported to Attack Squadron Thirty-Four KVA-34j, where he served as O erations Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer, completing two Mediterranean depibyments in USS IOHN F. KENNEDY CCV-671. ln December 1973, Captain O'Brien was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Five CVX-53 as A-6 Projects coordinator and Project Officer of a joint NavyfAir Force evalua- tion of the F-111E and A-6E aircraft. In October 1974, he reported to the Staff of Commander Medium Attack Wing One as Readiness Officer. ln December 1975, Captain O'Brien reported to Attack Squadron Thirty-Five as Executive Officer and subsequently as Commanding Officer, completing two Mediterranean deployments in USS NIMITZ CCVN-685. He then reported to the Naval Air Systems Command as Deputy Program Manager for the A-6 aircraft. After completing nuclear power training in june 1980, Ca tain O'Brien reported to USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER CCVN-69j, where he servedjas Executive Officer until july 1982. In january 1983, Captain O'Brien assumed command of USS WABASH CAOR-5j. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and the joint Service Commendation Medal. Captain O'Brien is married to the former Elise Montilla Haeussler. They have four children, C-eorge, Caroline, Kevin and Roseleen. 1. I-s E-9 E 1? Iii? fi

Page 7 text:

11 I 5 1 4 1 I 4 P J 1 Y I K 3

Page 9 text:

PCO 1 CAPTAIN jAMES T. MATHENY Captain james T. Matheny, born in Los Angeles, California, graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Commis- sioned through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program, he was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1961. ln 1962, he reported for duty with VF-13 aboard USS Shangrila flying the F-3B Demon and F-8E Crusader. Subsequent sea tours included duty as Landing Signal Officer on the carrier Air Wing One aboard USS john F. Kennedy. Following a tour as Squadron Department Head in VA-72, and graduation from the Naval War College, he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VA-46, Flying the A-7E Corsair II aboard Uss john F. Kennedy. Shore tours included duty as an Instructor Pilot in VA-174, and as the A-7 Program Coordinator in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He reports to USS Wabash following tours as Commander Carrier Air Wing One aboard USS America and as Com- mander Light Attack Wing One at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida. Captain Matheny has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal itwo awardsj, the Air Medal with eight StrikefFlight Awards, and various Unit, Campaign, and Sevice Awards. He has accumulated over 5,000 flight hours and 1200 carrier landings. He is the son of Mrs. j.T. Matheny of Cookeville, Tennessee, and resides with his wife, the former Sharon Watts, and their daughter, Barbara, in Long Beach, California.