Camden (AOE 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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Robert C. Taylor was born in Orlando, Florida on 9 October 1933. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1955 with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration, entered Officer Candidate School in August 1955 and was commissioned an Ensign in January 1956. Captain Taylor entered Basic Flight Training at NAS Pensacola, Florida in February 1956 and upon completion of Advanced Flight Training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1957. Following his designation, he served as Weapons Training Officer for Attack Squadrons 36 and 44. Captain Taylor ' s subsequent tours included assignment as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer of VMA-332 and assignment to Attack Squadron 83 as Operations Officer and Executive Officer. In September 1968 Captain Taylor served with Attack Squadron 122 as Executive Officer. In t arch 1971 he reported to Attack Squadron 192, serving as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of the Navy ' s Golden Dragon squadron. Captain Taylor attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island from May 1973 until June 1974. From 1974 through December 1975 Captain Taylor served as Commanding Officer of VA-125. In February 1976 Captain Taylor transferred to the USS RANGER (CV-61 for duties as the ship ' s Executive Officer. From May 1978 until mid-1979 he served with the Chief of Naval Operations as the head, Carrier Warfare Branch (OP-551) assisting the DCNO (Air Warfare). Captain Taylor has earned the Silver Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three stars, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with the numeral 32 for over 320 combat missions and eleven individual Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with one star, the Navy Unit Commendation with one star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, and several other decorations. Captain Taylor has earned a Masters Degree in Management from Chapman College. He assumed command of USS CAMDEN (AOE-2) on 19 April 1980.

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COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN ROBERT C. TAYLOR During the first few days of our Indian Ocean deployment we were refueling and replenishing an aircraft carrier. While alongside she had reason to launch her fighter aircraft to intercept an inbound unidentified aircraft. Seeing this occur just 160 feet away, at eyelevel, with all the accompanying activity and noise associated with a launch, was a very real and awesome display of power. After the aircraft were airborne and as they were fading from sight, a sailor on the bridge remarked to me, after seeing that, it is pretty clear why we were deployed, delivering fuel, food and ammunition to the Battle Groups. It makes it very real when you are right in the middle where you can hear and see everything, and know that without CAMDEN, and other MLSF ships like her, the Battle Groups would not have the freedom of movement or sea legs required to sustain operations for any length of time. So what is the challenge of CAMDEN today? The first thought is to be ready to meet all requirements levied by the Battle Group, and to complete the evolutions safely and In a timely fashion. But this is also our mission, so the challenge must go deeper. For the Navy to meet its challenge in today ' s world, CAMDEN must always be able to meet her challenge - we have, we are and we will. Flexibility, Readiness and Endurance - Our f lotto, and in fact our challenge, and yes we are SECOND TO NONE!

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER FRANCIS E. SOLEY Commander Soley is a native of Stoneham, Massachusetts and a 1965 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. During his 15 year naval career, Commander Soley has served as Main Propulsion Assistant on USS HENDERSON (DD-785). Staff Material Officer with Commander Destroyer Division 72, Engineer Officer aboard USS NEW ( DD-8 18) and as Executive Officer on USS KRISHNA (ARL-38). He has also seen service with COMCRUDESLANT Staff and with the Chief of Naval Technical Training prior to his last sea duty assignment aboard USS WABASH (AOR-5) as Chief Engineer. Commander Soley reported to USS CAMDEN in September 1980 following a tour at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The Exec is married and has two children, all of whom are residing in Port Orchard, Washington.