Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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DEPUTY BRIG GEN WALTER T. WORTHINGTON CHIEF OF STAFF BRIG GEN TIMOTHY D. GILL CAPT RICHARD S. WATKINS 16 Captain Richard S. Watkins was born in Boston, Massachusetts, graduated from Bates College and earned his United States Navy commission upon graduation from Naval Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island in November 1961. Captain Watkins saw his first sea duty aboard USS CAMBRIA (APA-36) and subsequently served in USS MILLS (DER-383) and USS THEODORE E. CHANDLER (DD-717). He has also served in USS FARRAGUT (DDG-37) and USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY (CG-32), and as Commanding Officer of USS BAGLEY (FF-1069) and Destroyer Squadron 17. Captain Watkins served at sea as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans on the staff of the Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5. He was also Senior Advisor, Coastal Flotilla Three with the U.S. Navy Advisory group, Vietnam. Captain Watkins ' service ashore included study at the Naval Post- graduate School, Monterey, California, where he received his Mas- ters Degree in Chemistry; Executive Assistant to the Vice Com- mander, Naval Electronics Systems Command; and most recently as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans on the staff of the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In addition to other awards, Captain Watkins wears the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, both with Combat Distin- guishing devices; the Legion of Merit; the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnamese Medal of Hon- or, First Class. While serving on the staff of Commander, Cruiser- Destroyer Group 5, Captain Watkins became honorary member of Fighter Squadron 111 and a Mini Centurian while embarked in USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). Captain Watkins ' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond G. Watkins, reside in Newburyport, Massachussets. Captain Watkins is mar- ried to the former Deborah Jane Kline. They have two sons, Mi- chael and John.

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COMMANDER JOINT TASK FORCE REAR ADMIRAL ANTHONY A. LESS Rear Admiral Anthony A. Less was born in Salem, Ohio on 31 August 1937. He entered the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate Program upon graduation from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio and was commissioned an Ensign in April 1960. He earned his Naval Aviators wings in June 1961. After attending aviation maintenance officers school in Memphis, Tennessee, Rear Admiral Less was assigned to Attack Squadron 86, flying the A-4 Skyhawk and deployed aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62). His next assignment was to Attack Squadron 44 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida as an A-4 weapons instructor. In 1966, Rear Admiral Less was chosen as one of the initial cadre of instructor pilots in Attack Squadron 174 introducing the Corsair aircraft into the Navy. This was followed by a Vietnam combat tour, flying the A-7 with Attack Squadron 105 from the decks of USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63). Shore duty followed in 1969, when he was ordered to the Bureau of Naval Personnel where he served as an Aviation Assignment Officer. During this tour he was selected for command of an operational aircraft squadron. He reported as Executive Officer and later took command of Attack Squadron 12, flying the A-7 Corsair II aircraft. In November 1973 Rear Admiral Less reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida where he became the flight leader and first Commanding Officer of the newly commissioned Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the BLUE ANGELS . In February 1976 he commenced training in each of the aircraft that comprised Carrier Air Wing NINE, the nation ' s most modern Air Wing at that time. He assumed command of the Wing in August 1976. In January 1978 he reported to Washington D.C. to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare. In November 1979 Rear Admiral Less assumed command of the replenishment oiler USS WICHITA (AOR 1) in which he completed a deployment to the SEVENTH Fleet, operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. He reported in August 1981 as Executive Assistant and Senior Aide to Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Honolulu, Hawaii. He assumed command of USS RANGER (CV-61) in June 1982 and again completed an extended deployment to the SEVENTH Fleet, operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Rear Admiral Less was assigned as Chief of Staff to Commander, SEVENTH Fleet, in August 1983 and was selected to Rear Admiral during this tour. In March 1985 he reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff where served as the Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate until July 1987. Rear Admiral Less was selected to be Commander Carrier Group ONE and Commander Battle Group ECHO in August 1987. He commanded this Battle Group until December 1987 when he was chosen as the Commander, Joint Task Force Middle East, assuming command February 3, 1988. During his career, Rear Admiral Less has logged more than 6,000 hours in tactical jet aircraft and more than 950 arrested carrier landings. He is authorized to wear the following medals and decorations: Defense Superior Service Medal (Oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award); Legion of Merit (Gold star in lieu of second award); Air Medal with ten Strike Flight awards; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V ; Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon; Navy Battle Efficiencey E Ribbon, and other campaign awards. Rear Admiral Less is married to the former Leanne Carol Kuhl of Memphis, Tennessee. They have four daughters; Robyn (Mrs. Paul Monger), Pam (Mrs. Chris Maxey), Tracy and Christy. 15

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DEPARTMENT HEADS IAPT DAVE HOUGHTON, J2 I HEAD CAPT ROY TOBIN, J3 HEAD LTCOL MARK BUNTON, J5 HEAD LCDR TOM KENNEDY, J6 HEAD 17