Bon Homme Richard (LHD 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commander Arbter received his commission in 1983 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Mississippi, having been awarded a regular USN commission. He attained initial warfare qualification on USS OLIVER HAZARD PERRY (FFG 7). Upon selection for the Personal Exchange Program, he attended eight months of language training at Defense Language Insitute prior to reporting as Navigator on Federal German Ship SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN (D 182). During this two-year assignment, he participated in Standing Naval Forces Atlantic, Naval On-call Force Mediterranean, TEAMWORK 88, and MAY FLY 89 deployments. He attained the unique qualification of Leistungsnachweiss Stufe II (Unrestricted Watch Officer) during this tour. Following a one-year stint in the Naval Reserve, Commander Arbter returned to active duty as Operation Officer on USS ESTOCIN (FFG 15). A second department head tour on USS CHOSIN (CG 59) and deployment to the Arabian Gulf as part of Constellation Battle Group followed. In 1996 he reported as Executive Officer on USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73), completing an Arabian Gulf Deployment as part of NIMITZ Battle Group. After a brief temporary duty on the Staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, he commenced studdies as a Federal Executi e Fellow at the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Massachusetts. In 1999 he joined the staff of the Command Leadership School, Newport, Rhode Island as a course facilitator. Most recently. Commander Arbter completed a command tour on USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50). Commander Arbter is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service medal and various other individual and unit awards.

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■r; fB , nmXi MM fiM Colonel Savarese received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ma - 1977 from Spnngfield College in Springfield. Massachusetts. He report ed to the 103rd Officer Candidate Class the following month and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August 1977. Following Basic School graduation in Febru- ary ' 1978, he reported to the Naval Aviation Training Command and was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1980. In December 1980, First Lieutenant Savarese completed A-4M Skyhawk replacement pilot training at VMAT-162, MCAS Yuma. AZ and was ordered to VMA-223, MCAS Cherry Point, NC. While assigned to the Bulldogs, he served as NATOPS Officer. Flight Line Division Officer, S-4 Officer and deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in May 1981 and December 1982 in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). n December 1983, Captain Savarese was transferred to the Naval Aviation Training Command for duty as an Advanced Jet Flight Instructor flying the TA-4J Skyhawk. at VT-7, NAS Mendian. MS where he also served as Operations Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer During his Naval Aviation Training Command tour. Captain Savarese was honored as VT-7 Instructor of the Year for 1985. Selected for AV-8B transition. Captain Savarese returned to MCAS Cheny Point in February 1987. Following AV-8B trajisition training, at VMAT-203, I1C reported to VMA-. 42 where he served as S-4 OtTiccr. Asst. Operations Officer, Operations Officer, .Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and was promoted to Major in October 1989. While assigned to the Tigers. Major Savarese participated in two deplo mcnts to Norway, one onboard LSS Nassau LHA-4. and returned to MCAS Iwakuni. Japan for his third UDP in December 1989 Upon his return to CONUS in July 1990. Major Savarese was transferred to VMAT-203 and served as the Hawk ' s Operations Officer and AV-8B Harrier Flight Instructor During his tour in VMAT-203. Major Savarese was selected to attend the United States Naval War College, College of Naval Command and Staff and reported there in July 1992. Upon graduation from the Naval War College. Major Savarese received a Master ' s Degree in National Sccuritv and Strategic Studies and was assigned to duty as AV-8B Harrier Program Requirements Officer for the Director. Air Warfare Division, on the staff for the Deput Chief of Naval Operations (Resources. Warfare Requirements, and Assessments) in the Pentagon Amid his Washington tour. Major Savarese attended the Acquisition Professional Program Manager ' s Course at the Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvior, VA. He was Pro- moted to Lieutenant Colonel in July 199.5 and subsequently selected for Command. From July 2, 1996 to 29 May 1998, Lieutenant Colonel Savarese served as Commanding Officer. Marine Attack Squadron 542 at MCAS Cherrv Point. NC. During that time, the Tigers supported 3 MEU SOC detachments, who were instrumental in developing the AV-8B Sortie Based Training and Operational Risk Management programs and were also honored as CG 2MAW s nominee for the MCAA Attack Squadron of the Year award for 1997 and 1998. He was selected for Top Level School in I9 J8 and graduated from the Industrial College of the Amied Forces, National Defense Universit . Washington DC in June 199Q Following graduation from TLS. LtCol Savarese was assigned as AV-8B Deput ' Program Manager for United States Marine Corps Programs. Naval Air Systems Command. NAS Patuxent River, MD. He was promoted to Colonel in July 2000 and assumed command of Manne Aircraft Group 13 on 1 June 2001. 10