America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain Michael L. Bowman Commander, Carrier Air Wing One Captain Michael L. Bowman, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, graduated from Kansas State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was commissioned via the Aviation Officer Candidate Program in 1966 and received his wings February 1967. His initial tour of duty was a Plank Owner” with VA-97. He embarked with the Warhawks on U88 CONSTELLATION (CV 64) for two combat deployments, completing over 200 missions into Vietnam in the A-7A aircraft His first shore assignment was with VA-125 as an Instructor Pilot and Weapons ECM Officer. Captain Bowman then reported to VA-146. He completed two cruises with the Blue Diamonds onboard U88 CONSTELLATION (CV 63), serving in the Administrative, Maintenance and Operations Officer billets. Following an assignment with the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Aviation Career Development Officer, he reported as Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN Operations Officer deploying on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) and USS CORAL SEA (CV 43). Remaining with the Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN team, he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VA-97. After a second tour with Naval Military Personnel Command as Air Combat Units Placement Branch Head, Captain Bowman assumed command of Carrier Air Wing FIVE forward deployed to the Western Pacific onboard U88 MIDWAY (CV 41). His next assignment was Principal Deputy to the Secretary of the Navy for Senate Liaison. Captain Bowman’s moat recent assignment was Commander, Carrier Air Wing THIRTEEN. Captain Bowman is authorised to wear the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, two individual and twenty strike fight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal and various campaign mA unit ribbons. Captain Bowman is married to the former Sally Porter of San Francisco, California. They have two children • Ashley, an Ensign stationed in Norfolk; and Geoffrey, a freshman at Virginia Tech. 10

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Commander Robin Y. Weber Executive Officer 19 April 1989 - 9 January 1991 Commander Robin Y. Weber was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on 24 May 1947. In May 1969. he graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in commerce. He was commissioned as an Ensign through the Regular Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps Program on 1 July 1969. and reported to Pensacola. Florida, for flight training. Commander Weber received his naval aviator wings in Kingsville. Texas, in April 1971. Upon completion of replacement pilot training in Reconnaissance Attack Squadron Three Commander Weber began operationally flying the RA-5C Vigilante with Reconnaissance Attack Squadron Nine, where he deployed to the Mediterranean aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). His next tour was with Training Air Wing Two in Kingsville, Texas, where he served as instructor pilot and training air wing LSO. During this time he also earned a Master of Arts Degree in business from Webster College. In January 1978, Commander Weber reported to Attack Squadron Forty-Two where he transitioned to the A-6 Intruder. He subsequently reported to Attack Squadron Eighty-Five aboard USS FORRESTAL. After two Mediterranean deployments, he was assigned to Attack Squadron Forty-Two as an instructor pilot. In July 1982, Commander Weber joined Medium Attack Wing One as the Readiness Officer. In February 1983. he reported to Carrier Air Wing Three as the Operations Officer deploying to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) until May 1984. After a brief period of A-6 refresher training with Attack Squadron Forty-Two, Commander Weber reported to Attack Squadron Fifty-Five as Executive Officer in August 1984. He assumed command in May 1985, and the squadron later deployed to the Mediterranean aboard USS CORAL SEA (CV-43) from October 1985 until May 1986. Following his tour in Attack Squadron Fifty-Five. he commanded Attack Squadron Forty-Two. the fleet readiness training squadron at NAS Oceana. Virginia, until July 1987. Prior to reporting to USS AM ERICA, Commander Weber served on the staff of COM-NAVAIRLANT as the Medium Attack Readiness Officer. Commander Weber has accrued over 5000 flight hours and 850 carrier arrested landings in tactical Navy aircraft. He is married to the former I-ani Jean Arnold of Ventura, California. They have two daughters. Riley Ann and Robin. Commander Weber was advanced to Captain in 1990, prior to taking command of USS WHITE PLAINS (AFS-4). 12