Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER l aptain Stephen D. Gilmore, USN, a native of Canton, Ohio, attended the U.S. Naval ' Academy, graduating in June 1974. His initial duty assignment was to USS BAGLEY (FF-1069) where he served as Damage Control Assistant and First Lieutenant from November 1974 to January 1978. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Naval Military Personnel Com- mand where he was ADP Section Head for officer and enlisted detailers. During this Wash- ington tour, he was also a White House Social Aide for President Jimmy Carter. After attending Surface Warfare Officers School Department Head course, Captain Gilmore served as Combat Systems Officer on board USS ELLIOT (DD 967) from February 1 981 to December 1982. His department Head split tour was as Engineering Officer on board USS SCHENECTADY (LST 1 1 85) from April 1 983 to December 1 984. Captain Gilmore then attended the Royal Australian Staff College in Sydney, Australia from January to July 1 985 and was then assigned to the staff of Commander Amphibious Group THREE from July 1 985 to July 1987 as Flag Secretary. From October 1987 to June 1989, Captain Gilmore served as Executive Officer, USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42). After his Executive Officer tour. Captain Gilmore attended the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and was subsequently assigned as the Assistant Surface Commander Assignment Officer at the Bureau of naval personnel from June 1 990 to January 1992. He assumed command of USS TORTUGA (LSD 46) in July 1992 as her second Commanding Officer. During this tour, TORTUGA completed her first Mediterra- nean deployment and conducted humanitarian relief operations off Haiti. In June 1994, Captain Gilmore assumed duties as executive Officer, Surface Warfare Officers School Command in Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Gilmore then reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in May 1996 as the Branch Head for the Planning and Integration Branch within J8. Captain Gilmore assumed command of ESSEX on November 19, 1998. Captain Gilmore is entitled to wear the following awards: Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (gold star in lieu of fourth award), Navy Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of fourth award), Joint Unit Commendation Medal, Navy E Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Coast Guard Operations Ribbon. Captain Stephen D. Gilmore

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OFFICER aptain Anthony L. Winns is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. Graduat- ing with distinction from the United States Naval Academy, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in June 1 978. He completed initial flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida and advanced naviga- tortraining at MatherAFB, California where he was designated a Naval Flight Officer in January 1980. Following initial P-3 training at Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VP-31), Captain Winns was assigned to Patrol Squadron SIX (VP-6) at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in July 1980. Flying the P-3B MOD aircraft, he served as Legal Officer and Aircraft Division Officer. He completed two de- ployments to NAS Cubi Point, Philippines and detachments throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In January 1984, Captain Winns was assigned to the Naval Military Personnel Command in Washington, D.C. During this tour, he served in the Aviation Junior Of- ficer Assignment Branch as Fixed Wing Initial Assignment Officer and VP Com- munity Shore Duty Detailer. In April 1986, Captain Winns reported aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59), homeported in Mayport, Florida, as Op- erations Administration Officer. He quali- fied as Fleet Officer of the Deck Underway and Tactical Action Officer, and deployed to the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, and the North Atlantic Ocean. Following this tour, Captain Winns attended the Na- val Postgraduate School in Monterey, Cali- fornia. He graduated with distincti on in December 1989, earning a Master of Sci- ence Degree in Financial Management. After refresher training in Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30), Captain Winns reported to Patrol Squadron FIFTY-SIX (VP-56) at NAS Jacksonville in June 1 990. During this assignment, he served as Special Projects Officer and Administra- tive Officer, and deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. In March 1 991 , Captain Winns reported to the Staff of Commander, Patrol Wing ELEVEN, where he served as CNO Spe- cial Projects Officer. He served as Execu- tive Officer and Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron ELEVEN (VP-11) from August 1992 to July 1994. Patrol Squad- ron ELEVEN deployed to Sigonella, Sicily and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and was awarded the coveted Battle E , Golden Wrench (4th consecutive), and numerous unit awards. From August 1 994 to March 1 995 Cap- tain Winns was assigned to the Roles and Missions Staff of the Chief of Naval Op- erations in Washington, DC. He served as Executive Officer aboard USS GUAM (LPH 9) from August 1995 to December 1996 and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. Captain Winns reported aboard USS ESSEX (LHD 2) in December 1996 as the ship ' s Executive Officer and assumed command as Commanding Officer in May 1997. Captain Winns has been awarded three Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign and service awards.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER native of Montclair, NJ, Captain Connelly graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and Lwas commissioned an Ensign in June 1976. In ipvember 1977 he was designated a Naval Aviator. ■ ' r pon completion of his initial P-3C Orion training at W trol Squadron THIRTY-ONE, he was assigned to I ! t trol Squadron FORTY-EIGHT from June 1978 to pi. lime 1981. Captain Connelly participated in three estern Pacific deployments and detachments in sup- ort of fleet operations. Captain Connelly was assigned to the Office of le Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) from 1981 to 984 and served in the Systems Analysis Division and s Staff Assistant to the Director, Naval Warfare. . He reported to USS MIDWAY (CV 41) in Septem- !er 1984 and served as Assistant Navigator, General •JUarters Officer of the Deck throughout his tour and as designated Command Duty Officer (Underway), aptain Connelly next served as Assistant Mainte- ance Officer and Administrative Officer while as- signed to Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE from May 1986 to October 1987. In December 1987 Captain Connelly reported to Patrol Squadron EIGHT where he com- jleted deployments to Rota, Spain and Keflavik, Iceland while serving as the Safety Officer, raining Officer and Operations Officer. Assigned to OPNAV from January 1990 to August 1991, he served as Assistant Branch lead of the Western Hemisphere Plans and Policy Branch within the Politico-Military Policy and lurrent Plans Division. Additionally, he was assigned as the Assistant Branch Head of the East sia Pacific Branch and Lead Action Officer for the Philippine Base Re-negotiations. He oncluded his tour by serving as Aide and Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval perations (Plans, Policy and Operations) during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT TORM. Captain Connelly completed a one-year assignment as a National Security Fellow at the loover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford University. In September 1992 he Imported to Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN as Executive Officer and assumed command one sar later. Following command. Captain Connelly was assigned to the CINCPACFLT staff as the PA PU Operations Officer until reporting to USS INCHON (MCS 12) in August 1996, serving as 1ie Executive Officer until his transfer in April 1998. He reported to USS ESSEX (LHD 2) in July 398 and is currently serving as Executive Officer. Captain Robert J. Connelly ■ J■,s::v ■-- ; : . .T?7■ ■?•.■. ■,T.j.-;jgt ai