Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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ICOMMANDING OFFICER CAPT ROBERT C. WILLIAMSON, USN Captain Williamson received a presidential appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in June 1967. He com- pleted flight training in Kingsville, Texas and was designat- ed a Naval Aviator in October 1968. Captain Williamson completed ready replacement train- ing at NAS Miramar, California, in the F-4 aircraft with Fighter Squadron 121 and reported to Fighter Squadron 92 in July 1969. He served as Material Officer during two West- ern Pacific deployments on the USS AMERICA (CV-66) and USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). ' :i uuuiig i , ER1CA( c Following this first operational tour, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, where he was awarded the presti- gious Navy League Award as Outstanding Student in Febru- ary 1973. He was then assigned as project test pilot with the Flying Qualities and Performance Branch, Flight Test Divi- sion, of the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, Mary- land. In October, 1973, he volunteered for instructor duty on the staff of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Captain Williamson ' s next assignment was to the Com- mand and Staff Course at the Naval War College in New- port, Rhode Island. He graduated with distinction in August 1977 and reported to F ighter Squadron 171 for refresher training in the F-4. He then served as Administrative Offi- cer, Maintenance Officer, and Operations Officer in Fighter Squadron 103 during two extended deployments to the Mediterranean Sea on USS SARATOGA (CV-60). In Octo- ber 1980, he reported to Fighter Squadron 171, Detachment Key West, Florida, as a tactics instructor, flying both the F-4 and A-4 adversary aircraft. Six months later, he was assigned to Fighter Wing One, Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia, until assuming duties as Fighter Squadron 161 ' s Executive Officer in October 1981. He commanded Fighter Squadron 161 aboard USS MIDWAY (CV-41) from December 1982 through June 1984. After attending Nuclear Power School, CAPT Williamson was Executive Officer, USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) between JAN 1986 and Jan 1988. ■«■ T -v ' ; IH ■ F i «■■ Captain Williamson has piloted 34 different types of tactical jet aircraft and four models of U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Helicopters. He has accumulated over 4000 flight hours and over 850 carrier landings. A veteran of the Southeast Asia Conflict, his personal decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, twelve Strike Flight Air medals, the Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V , the Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross and various unit, campaign, and service award. KsSjS ' 3 Captain Williamson assumed command of the USS CORONADO (AGF-11) in April of 1988. He and his wife Jo reside in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with their son Matthew and daughter Brook. 11

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— ' JOINT TASK FORCE MIDDLE EAST MISSION For nearly 40 years, the Middle East Force has served United States national interests in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and North Arabian Sea. The states of this region, and the water areas contiguous to them, are of significant economic, geopolitical, and military importance. The Gulf area contains three-fourths of the world ' s proven oil reserves and produces one-third of its petroleum pro- ducts. The ability to freely move these products is key to the industrial strength of the free world. By their continued presence, ships of the U.S. Navy demonstrate the commitment of the United States to freedom of navigation in this vital region. On February 27, 1988, ships of the Middle East Force were united with the carrier battle group and support ships in the North Arabian Sea into one task force, under one commander. This combined force was called the Joint Task Force Middle East. Within the Persian Gulf, the force is usually comprised of the flagship, several destroyers and frigates, at times a cruiser, an amphibious landing ship and six minesweepers. In the North Arabian Sea, there is a carrier battle group and support ships. The ships and men of the Joint Task Force Middle East carry out a variety of tasks within the broad mission of conducting operations in support of national objectives. These include protecting of U.S. flag merchant ships, air and sea surveillance, training and rendering assistance. For most of its history, the Middle East Force was relatively small, but with the spillover of the Iran-Iraq War into the Persian Gulf, and its consequent attacks on neutral shipping, the force was greatly expanded, as was the role of the force in protecting U.S. flag shipping, particularly re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers. Since the summer of 1987, ships of the Middle East Force, and Joint Task Force Middle East, have conducted escorts of these tankers. Now that a cease-fire has apparently taken hold in the Iran-Iraq War, U.S. forces have begun accompanying U.S. flagged shipping as opposed to escorting them. Mine countermeasure operations are ongoing, to clear the Gulf of any remaining mines and ensure the continued safe passage of shipping. As has been the case since 1949, The U.S. naval presence continues to be a positive influence in support of peace and stability in the Persian Gulf area. CORONADO welcomes GEN. George Crist, Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command. 13