Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 14 text:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER U.S.S. CONSTELLATION CAPTAIN B.W. CHURCHILL Bruce W. Churchill, Connie ' s spirited Executive Officer has given his all to make WESTPAC ' 80 a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the crew of CONSTELLA TION. Joining the ship in March of 1980, he has brought his enthusiasm and organizational skills into the forefront by heading the variety of committees and organizations a carrier XO must handle. He relieved his predecessor Captain Dennis Taft (pictured below) as the Connie headed outbound of the United States and towards a long and difficult deployment. After graduating the U.S. Naval Academy in 1961, he completed flight training and underwent Fleet Replacement Pilot training in ASW Squadron Thirty. In May of 1963 he flew in VS-36 aboard the USS RANDOLPH. Following another sea tour as ASW Training Officer in VS-41, he earned a Master Degree in Operations Research at the Postgraduate School in Monterey. After completing a tour on the USS KITTY HAWK »% Assistant CIC Officer, he participated in the CNO ' s Professional Development Program by working for six months with the Lockheed California company in the S-3A Systems Engineering Depart- ment, in September of 1972, he was assigned to the S-3A Fleet Introduction Team while being attached to VS-41. From August 1974 to September 1975 he was the director of the S-3A Tactical Support Center at NAS North Island. He became XO and subsequently CO of VS-33 aboard the USS KITTY HAWK before a short tour in the Operations Department at the Naval War College.

Page 13 text:

Edney commanded CVW-2 on board the USS RANGER. He commanded the USS PONCHATOULA (AO 148) from June 1976 to May 1977 during which the ship earned the Arleigh Burke Trophy signifying the most improvement in Battle Efficiency. Capt. Edney was chief of Staff for Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Five from Aug. 1977 to July 1979. Capt. Edney has accumulated over 5500 flight hours and over 1000 carrier landings in his aviation career. Among the decorations he is authorized to wear are the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Single Action Xir Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Meilal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commentation Medal, Vietnamese Honor Medal,and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Capt. Edney is married to the former Margon Beck of Hastings, Nebraska. They have two daughters, Merrie and Jamie.

Page 15 text:

COMMANDER CARRIER STRIKE FORCE SEVENTH FLEET REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM E. RAMSEY William E. RAMSEY was born in San Diego, CA on Sept. 7, 1931. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1953, he subsequently advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral in April 1979. He attended flight training, becoming a designated naval aviator in March 1955. He was selected for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland, in 1960. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Flight Test Division at the Naval Air Test Center as a Carrier Suitability Project Pilot. In 1962, he was one of five test pilots in the country nominated for the Ivan C. KINCHELOE Award as the outstanding test pilot of the year by the Society of Engineering Test Pilots. In 1962, he was selected by NASA as one of the 34 pilots interviewed in Houston for the GEMINI Program; and in 1963, he again went to Houston as one of the final group selected for the APOLLO Program. Following a tour as Executive Officer in VA-66, he took command of the squadron in 1968 and led them on a Vietnam deployment in USS INTREPID (CVA 11). He was selected for the Nuclear Power Program in 1969 and attended the Nuclear Power School at Mare Island and the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls. In Jan. 1975, Capt. RAMSEY assumec the responsibilities and duties as the firsi Commanding Officer of the USi DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) During this tour, he took the IKE ' through launch and christening, initia reactor criticality, dockside trials, builder ' s sea trials, acceptance trials, fina contract trials, shakedown training, Presidential Weapons Exercise, Posi Shakedown Availability, ORE, GULFE) ' 79 and initial deployment to the Sixth fleet in January 1979. He was awarded tht Legion of Merit and a Navy Commenda- tion Medal for his leadership anc command. In May 1979, he reported as Com mander. Carrier Group One, homeportec in San Diego, CA. He is married to the former Pegg Scott BOOTH of Coronado, CA. The have three sons; Tim, a senior at MIT; Blake, a midshipman at the Nava ' Academy; and Chris, an effervescent 13 year-old.