Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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DECK I4» ' ■» ' .. .-. Ulk

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I L1EU1 ENANT COLONEL WILLIAM J. NIEMASIK COMMANDING OFFICER MARINE MEDIUM HELICOPTER SQUADRON 161 HMM-161 Lieutenant Colonel William J. Niemasik was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 1974. He was ordered to flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Florida, and designated a Naval Aviator in August 1975. Reporting to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing, Second Lieutenant Niemasik was assigned to Marine Training Squadron- 301 (HMT-301) for initial training in the Ch-46. In January 1976 he was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 (HMM-161) and served as the Legal Officer. One year later. First Lieutenant Niemasik was ordered to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Fulenma, Okinawa, and was assigned to HMM-164. He served as the Training Officer until August 1978 when HMM-164 returned to MCAS Tustin where he assumed the duties of Assistant Operations Officer. In June 1979, Captain Niemasik reported to Marine Aircraft Group- 1 6 and was assigned as the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation System (MCCRES) Tactics Officer. During this period he also earned his Masters of Science Degree in Systems Managemen] from the University of Southern California. From May of 1980 until February of 1981 he served with HMM- 764 as the NATOPS Officer. In March of 1981 he returned to HMM-161 and was assigned as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During September of 1982 he deployed with the Squadron to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa for a six month unit deployment. Later assigned as the Director of Safely and Standardization, Major Niemasik deployed with the Squadron to Okinawa for his second WeslPac tour from August 1984 to February 1985. During June of 1985, Major Niemasik was ordered to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation, he was assigned as the Air Liaison Officer for the Seventh Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton Calif Returning to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and MAG- 16 in July of 1987, Major Niemasik was assigned as the Executive Officer of HMM-163. In July of 1988, he reported to the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, where he was a member of the faculty of the Naval Staff College. In August of 1992, Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik reported to MAG- 16 and was assigned as the Group Logistics Officer. In December 1992, he deployed with the Marine Forces Aviation Combat Element to Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope. He returned to the United States in March of 1993 and resumed his duties as Logistics Officer. Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik assumed his present command as Commanding Officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 in May 1993. Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik ' s awards include: the Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik is married to the former Deborah Lucente of Kingston, New York. They have two children, Kaylee and Kerne. Updated 9Hmn .1 '