Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMPHIBRON FIVE No Beach Beyond Reach

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Captain Gary W. Stubbs Commander, Amphibious Squadron Five The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Stubbs, Captain Stubbs was raised in Cadisle, Pennsylvania and graduated from Duke University 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (international relations). Captain Stubbs entered flight training immediately after graduation, receiving his commission via Aviation Officer Candidate School in September 1968 and earning his wings in December 1969. Returning to the training command. Captain Stubbs served as a Flight Instructor in VT-9, NAS Meridian for two years and then proceeded to VA-128 Whidbey Island, Washington for A-6 Replacement Pilot Training. His first fleet assignment was with VA-52 deploying aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CVA 63) to the Western Pacific. Following this tour, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School for 1 5 months, obtaining a Master ' s Degree in Computer Systems Management. This subspecialty was immediately utilized in a two-year Washington, DC. tour as an Information Systems Analyst for the Chief of Naval Personnel. Returning to fleet duty on the east coast in 1979, Captain Stubbs served as Operations and Maintenance Officer of Attack Squadron 85, twice deploying aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic. His next assignment was to the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island where he graduated in November 1982. Captain Stubbs remained on the faculty at the Naval War College instructing the International Officers Course and serving as head of computer operations at the Center of War Gaming. After refresher training in VA-42 he joined the Thunderbolts of VA- 1 76 in July 1 984 as Executive Officer and assumed command in January 1986. After command. Captain Stubbs reported to the Commander, Naval Military Personnel Command, Washington DC where he served as Head Air Combat Units Placement. In his final operational flying tour with the A-6E Intruder, he commanded Attack Squadron 1 28, the west coast A-6 Fleet Replacement Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. From June 1 99 1 to January 1 993, Captain Stubbs served as Commanding Officer of USS GUAM (LPH 9), deploying to the Mediterranean in support of Operation Provide Promise. Captain Stubbs wears the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Navy Achievement Medal and has graduated with distinction from both the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College. Captain Stubb ' s wife is the former Christine Anne Ruby of Whittier, California and they are proud to be the parents of Brian, completing his fourth year of missionary aviation training and Tracie, who is attending Messiah College.