America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 16 text:

-wSe'3.M? 3k s5x,1 '5 'V' .fi '52 'R ! I Q WUI l?lQ???lf ' fiiglgfiilfrgif llldif L, 355' W--. wr-II! 5 -wx --jmxxfx Z3 N 'Q

Page 15 text:

, 1 CAPTAIN Joi-iN J. COONAN, JR. Captain John J. Coonan, the son of Captain and Mrs. John Coonan, USN CRet.J, was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He attended the University of 'Virginia under the Regular NROTC Program graduating in June 1966. Following flight training, Captain Coonan was designated a Na- val Aviator on 29 September 1967 and reported to the East coast A-7 Fleet Replacement Squadron, VA-174. Upon completion of A-7 training, Captain Coonan joined the Golden Warriors of VA-87 as one of the original members. While attached to VA-87, he completed a Vietnam deployment aboard USS TICONDEROGA ICVA 141 and a Mediterranean deployment aboard USS ROOSEVELT UCVA 421. His following tours were as an Aviation Assignment Officer with Commander, Naval Military Personnel Command, VA-813 Light Attack Wing ONE staff, and VA-15 where he served as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer from June 1980 until September 1981. While commanding VA-15, Captain Coonan was selected as the first East coast recipient of the VADM james Stockdale Award for inspirational leadership. Following his tour as Commanding Officer, Captain Coonan reported to the Office of the DCNO, Manpower and Training as the Aviation Offi- cer Community Manager. Captain Coonan commanded Carrier Air Wing ONE from October 1983 through March 1985 where he deployed aboard USS AMERICA ICV 661. Following that tour, he assumed command of Light Attack Wing ONE in April 1985 where he was responsible for the shore-based training and readiness of all Atlantic Fleet A-7 and FA-18 squadrons. During this tour Captain Coonan was selected for major sea command. He reported as Commanding Officer of USS MARS IAFS 11 in June 1986. During Captain Coonan's tour, USS MARS functionedas the Underway Replen- ishment Group Commander for Battle Group Bravo and deployed to the North Arabian Sea. During this period, USS MARS was awarded the Commander Naval Surface Force Pacific Battle Efficien- cy Award. He became Commanding Officer of USS AMERICA in August 1988. Captain Coonan has accumulated in excess of 4,000 flight hours Cincluding over 3,000 in the A-7 aircraftj and has logged over 1,000 carrier arrested landings. His military awards include Meri- torious Service Medalsg Air, Medals3fthe,Navy Commendation Medal with Combat, Vg and various campaign and ,unit ribbons. ' f .i 1. ,.'. . 1..1 iL,.b,f.' ,ng'A, ill. .p,il Gfgfg -- I - Q , I 1. I . 1, Captainfloonan 'is' Kathryn' Stangeland of Petersburg, Virginia. They residein Virginia the -U.S. Naval Acad- emyf .and jx iii -.-y.-,M-,.:..........n...n..

Page 17 text:

CAPTAIN JOHN J. MAZACH V' 5 Raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Captain Mazach attended Vanderbilt University under the NROTC Program. He graduated in June 1966 and was commissioned as an Ensign, United States Navy. He immediately entered flight training at NAS Pensacola and was designated a Naval Avia- tor in October 1967 at NAS Chase Field, Texas. . . In June 1968, Captain Mazach became one of the original members of VA-87 after replacement pilot training in the A7B Corsair at VAl174. While attached to the Golden Warriors, he completed one Viet Nam deployment aboard USS TICONDEROGA ICVA 141 and a portion of a Mediterra- nean deployment aboard USS ROOSEVELT ICVA 421. Captain Mazach then received orders to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in December 1970, where he served as a detailer inthe Aviation Assignment Section.- ' In July 1973, he reported to VA-105 after completing replacement pilot training in the A7E at VAf1 7 4. While attached to the Gunslingers, he completed two deployments to the Mediterranean aboard USS SARATOGA ICV 601, serving as Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer. His next assignment was to the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base in june 1976. Upon graduation in June 1977, Captain Mazach once again reported to VA-174 for A7E replacement pilot training and then to the VA-15 Valions as Executive Officer in December 1977. He assumed command of VA-15 on 19 April 1979. . In june 1980, Captain Mazach was again ordered to Washington, D.C. as the Head, Aviation LCDR and Junior Officer Assignment Section, Naval Military Personnel Command, where he served until February 1982. In July 1982, Captain Mazach assumed duties as Commander, Carrier Air Wing THREE where he served until 'April 1984. 1 Captain Mazach was then assigned to COMNAVAIRLANT as the Air Wing Training Officer, until january 1986 when hedeparted for the Senior Officer ShipiMateria1 Readiness. Course and ,training prior' to assuming command of USS SEATTLE IAOE 31 in June 1986. In - I Captain Mazach's most recent assignment was as Chief of Staff, Cruiser Destroyer Group A ,Captain Mazac,h's decorations include the Legion pfjMgg5g,,Distinguished Flying Cross, Meri- torious Service Medal with two gold stars,-Air Medal with Combat , Vf' and various other unit 'citations and to the former Pat Waggoner of ashville, Tennessee. Theyand'-their I I Meg reside in Virginia Beach' Vlfglrlla- . .9 A .