America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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Table of Con ten ts Part I: Staff ...........4 Part II: Ship Air wing Overview.............17 Part III: Work ups RefTra..................33 North Star 91 ..........38 England ................62 Rescue Ship ............76 Part IV: Home Port POM Period Russians...............78 Ammo on-load.........84 CVW-1 C of C...........80 Thanksgiving ........85

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f Captain Kent W. Ewing Commanding Officer Captain Kent W. Ewing is a native of Dayton. Ohio. A 1961 graduate of Georgia Military Academy, he attended the University of California at I ox Angeles, graduating in 1965. He holds a Master's Degree in management from the University of Southern California and is also a graduate of the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. Captain Ewing was designated a naval aviator in 1966 and lepoitcd lor duty with Training Squadron THREE as a basic flight instructor. After a tour of duty at Naval Air Station Alameda. California. Ire was assigned to A-4F training at Attack Squadron 125 in Lemoorc. California. In August 1969, he reported to Attack Squadron 164. He made two combat deployments aboard USS HANCOCK (CVA 19) and flew more than 200 missions in Southeast Asia. From 1971 to 1973. he was assigned as Laser Systems and Threat Missile Project Officer at the Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu. California, where he was recognized as the Navy League Junior Officer of the Year. Following completion of lest Pilot School in May 1974. he served with Flight Test and Strike Aircraft Directorate at Naval Air Test Pilot Center Patuxent River. Maryland. Among his projects were the YF-34G, TA- 4F and YA-7E. He test flew the TAV-8A Harrier carrier certification and INSF.RV trials, making the first night shipboard launch and recovery aboard USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CV 42) in June 1976. In October 1976. he joined Attack Squadron 86. deploying aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). In July 1979. he reported as Executive Officer and later assumed command of Attack Squadron 66 aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). His squadron completed the historic nine-month Indian Ocean deployment during the Iranian hostage crisis, on line for 156 days. In May 1982. he reported to the staff of L'.S. Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy, as Strike Warfare Officer and temporary assignments as Special Assistant to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe in Naples. He then commanded Carrier Air Wing 17 aboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60) from March 1984 to August 1985, followed by assignment as Tactical Air Analyst in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. He commanded USS SYLVANIA (AFS 2) from October 1987 until May 1989. Prior to assuming command of USS AMERICA (CV 66) in February 1991. he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness on the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Captain Ewing’s awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, 15 Air Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, the Joint Serv ice Commendation Medal and numerous unit and foreign campaign awards. He has flown more than 6,000 flight hours (luring his career, with more than 1,150 carrier landings. Captain Ewing is married to the former Ann Graves of Colton, California. They have two children, Alexis and Taylor.