Coral Sea (CV 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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November designated a Naval- viator. Florida, he reported to Fort Rucker, Alabama, where' he received Army . Helicopter Tactics Training. In September 1969, Captain O'Hearn reported to , Helicopter Attack Squadron QLightJ THREE QHAL-31 where he was assigned to Det-9 on the Mekong River in South Viet Nam. In September 1970, he returned home and proceeded to f Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FIVE QHS-55. Following a three year tour at HS-5, he reported to Helicopter Anti- Submarine Squadron ONE CHS-D in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was an Instructor Pilot. Q In August 1976, Captain O'Hearn entered Post Graduate study at Monterey, California, where he receivedpa Master of Science Degree in Weapon Systems Acquisition. After graduating, he returned to HS-1 in May 1978 for carrier replacement pilot training. From HS-1, Captain O'Hearn received orders to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN QHS-151 for his i department head tour as Maintenance Officer and Safety'Officer. On completion of his tour with HS-15 in May 1990, Captain O'Hearn proceeded to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing ONE QHSW-11, where he was assigned the TAC D and E branch and Special Projects. He was then ordered to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron NINE QHS-95 as Executive , Officer in March 1981. He was Commanding Officer of HS-9 from June 1983 to January 1984 and from there he went to OPNAV where he was HSXHSL mission sponsor in OP-951 from February 1984 to September 1985.-He assumed command of Helicopter Wing Reserve from January 1986 until July 1987, then reported to USS CORAL SEA in December 1987 as Executive Officer. Captain O'Hearn was advanced to his n present rank in June 1988. Captain O'Hearn was relieved as Executive Officer of CORAL SEA in June 1989 and reported to USS IWO JIMA CLPH-25 as Commanding Officer. Captain-O'Hearn has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 26 Air Medals Q21 strikelflight and 5 individual actionl. Captain O'Hearn is married to the former Maria Vlahopoulos from Athens, Greece, and they are presently residing in Norfolk, Virginia with their son, Casey and daughter, Thalia. - I ' my 8 Executive Officer, A Captain Michael S. O'Hearn 4 ' 4 m 1 7 . I x 5 v H if P ffl I iv 1 Hi '11 .9 Q I. . it f.

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f I111no1 o , s., 0 the U.S. Nav throu Ch the Aviation 7 f Y 8 1 A Officer Candidate Program and received his commission on June 20, 1969. He A completed E-2 KATDS1 training at NAS Glynco, Georgia andreceived his NFO wings on April 10, 1970. He attended the E-2B transition course at VAW-110, NAS North Island, California, then reported to VAW-120, NAS Norfolk, Virginia, to ' complete the E-2 RAG CReplacement Air Group1 syllabus. A His first operational tour was in VAW- 124 deployed aboard USS AMERICA CCV 661. His duties with the Bear Aces included Communications, Avionics, Training and Operations Officer. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and three Air Medals during his initial squadron tour. From March 1974 to December 1976, CDR Zia attended Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, and received his,Masters degree in Weapons Systems Acquisition Management. Following NPGS he entered Tactical Action Officer School at the Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific. In March 1977, CDR Zia reported to the Staff of Commander, Carrier Group SEVEN, homeported in Alameda, California and deployed in USS MIDWAY QCV 411. While attached to COMCARGRU SEVEN, CDR Zia served as both Anti-Air Warfare and Flag Tactical Action Officer. CDR Zia returned to VAW-120 in August 1978 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his work as NFO Training and Operations Officer. In October 1981, CDR Zia reported to VAW-122 in USS INDEPENDENCE CCV 621 as Operations Officer. During this tour the Steeljaws were awarded the Battle E , the CNO Safety S and the Grumman AEW Excellence Award. The squadron also received the Navy Expeditionary medal for operations off the coast of Lebanon. He reported to VAW-125 in September 1 1983 as Executive Officer and assumed command in March 1985. Commander Zia was awarded the 'Legion of Merit and received the 1985 Association of Naval Aviation Award for his contribution to the October 10th Intercept of the Egypt Air 737 carrying the Achille Lauro hijackers. The squadron was awarded the 1985 Battle E , Safety S , Grumman AEW Excellence Award and two Navy Unit Commendations for its 1985-1986 MedlIO cruise operations. Commander Zia served as Combat Information Center Officers in USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER QCVN 691 then served as 'Commanding Officer of A VAWV-120, E-2 FRS, from September 1987 to February 1989. He reported to USS CORAL -SEA fCV,431 in June 1989 as ' 1 Executive Officer. A g 7 . and his 4' 'vl' .,,,,,, ,, Executive Officer commander R lph K.Zia ,f Illinois, reside in Norfolk, Virginia with , 7-their two sons Ronald and Richard. 0 2 9