Chandler (DDG 996) - Naval Cruise Book

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER CDR. HILL POWELL Commander Powell graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology and was commissioned an Ensign through Officer Candidate School in 1977. Upon completion of Surface Warfare Officer School in 1979, he reported to USS GUAM (LPH-9) home ported in Norfolk, VA. as Personnel Officer. After a Mediterranean deploi ment and a nine month Regular Overhaul at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, he completed his tour on the USS GUAM as Weapons Officer. In May 1982 he reported to Navy Recruiting District, Montgomery, Alabama as the Dedicated Nuclear Recruiter. In September 1984 he was transferred to Surface Warfare Officer Schools Command in Newport, Rhode Island for Department Head School. Following completion of Department Head School, CDR. Powell reported to USS MAHLON S. TISDALE (FFG-27) home ported in San Diego, California as the Combat Systems Officer. While deployed to the Arabian Gulf, he transferred to Precommissioning Unit LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG-57) located at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi as the prospective Combat Systems Officer. After commissioning in August 1 988, USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG-57) was relocated to her new home port in San Diego, California. CDR. Powell departed the ship in July 1989 and after completing a nine month course of instruction at the Air Command and Staff College, he reported as Executive Officer on USS CHANDLER (DDG- 996) in October 1 990. Commander Powell ' s decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Battle £ , and various unit and service awards. Commander Powell is married to the former Lynda Williams of Atlanta, Georgia. They have three sons Jay, Bradley, and Matthew. k3M

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COMMANDING OFFICER CDR WILLIAM G. WHEELER Commander Wheeler entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1968 under a congressional appointment from Virginia. Upon graduation in 1972. he served successively as Communications Officer. CIC Officer and Navigator aboard USS LAWRENCE (DDG 4) from 1972-1975. deploying in support of South Vietnamese forces in the fall of 1 972. Commander Wheeler attended the Naval Postgraduate School. Monterey. California as a student in the Weapon System Engineer- ing curriculum, graduating in 1977 with a Master of Scienrr degree in Applied Science. After attending the Surface Warfan Department Head Course. Commander Wheeler served as Weapons Officer. USS TOWERS (DDG 9) from 1978-1980. Fol- lowing this assignment, he reported to USS WILUAM H. STAND- LEY (CO 32) where he served as Operations Officer from 1 980- 1982. In 1 982, Commander Wheeler was ordered to the AEGIS Ship- building Program Office in the Naval Sea Systems Command. Washington. D.C as the AAW Programs Manager in the AEGIS Combat Systems Engineering Division. While serving in this assign- ment, he was selected for pre-commissioning duty as Prospective Executive Officer. BUNKER HILL (CG 52) in 1 984. Commander Wheeler served as Executive Officer of USS BUNKER HILL from 1986-1988. including a Persian Gulf deploy- ment during which the first AEGIS Vertical Launching System (VLS) cruiser participated in eleven Earnest Will U.S. -flagged tanker escort operations, she of which with USS MISSOURI as the AEGIS Battleship Covering Force for the tankers and their escorts. Commander Wheeler next reported to the staff of the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare) where he served as the AEGIS Combat Systems Head from 1 988-1 990. Commander Wheeler assumed command of USS CHANDLER (DDG 996) on 22 April 1 991 . Commander Wheeler has been designated as a Weapons Sys- tems Acquisition Manager and a proven Material SupportA eapon Systems Engineering subspecialist. He is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Stars in lieu of Second and Third awards. Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of Second award. Navy Achievement Medal. Combat Action Ribbon. Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and two Battle Efficiency Ribbons, as well as various service and campaign medals. Commander Wheeler is married to the former Jane Peterson of Roanoke. Virginia. The Wheelers have four children: Katie. Bill. David and Jake, and live in Coronado. Commander Wheeler has been selected for promotion to Captain.

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OSCM(SW) Steven N. McElrath was bom in Visalia. California. He served as command Master Chief from January 1 989 to Februan 1 992 aboard USS CHANDLER. Master Chief has served aboard USS BAUER (DE-1025). USS HORNE (DLG-30). USS DUNCAN (FFG-10) and USS CHANDLER (DDG-996). During his career he has made six deployments. One of the highlights of his career was a shore tour at the NATO war head- quarters at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), in Belgium. He has 21 and a half years of continuous active service. His numerous decorations include a Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy Achievement Medals, five Good Conduct awards, two National Defense Medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal. Viet Nam Service Medal. Viet Nam Campaign Medal. Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Battle Efficiency Awards, several Sea Service Ribbons, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon. Master Chief McElrath has been married for 1 1 years to his wife Dora. The McElrath ' s have two children. Sherrie and Timothy. Mas- ter Chief McElrath resides in San Diego, California. FORMER COMMAND MAS- TER CHIEF OSCM(SW) STEVEN N. McELRATH COMMAND MASTER CHIEF A native of Montana. Master Chief Williams enlisted in the Navy in June 1963 and attended Basic Training at RTC, Great Lakes, Illinois. A veteran of 10 Western Pacific Cruises his duty stations include USS HAZELWOOD (DD- 531). Newport, Rhode Island: USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG-5), Yokosuka. Japan and San Diego. California: Naval Development and Training Center. San Diego, Cali- fornia: USS CHEVALIER (DD-805), San Diego. California: USS GRAY (FF-1054), San Diego. California: Instructor. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration School. San Diego. California: USS MONTICELLO (LSD-35). San Diego. Cali- fornia: Recruit Company Commander. RTC. San Diego. California: Command Master Chief. USS HEPBURN (FF- 1055). San Diego. California and Command Master Chief. Air Test and Evaluation Squadron FIVE. China Lake, Cali- fornia. Master Chief Williams joined the CHANDLER as her Command Master Chief in January 1 992 and resides with his wife Sharron in El Cajon. California. PRESENT COMMAND MASTER CHIEF MMCM(SW) ROBERT A. WILLIAMS