Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 r COMMAND MASTER CHIEF aster Chief Gamiao was bom in January 1952, in the Republic of the Philippines. He J . enlisted in the Navy in January 1973 and attended Recruit Training in San Diego, California. ! = ollowing basic training, he reported aboard USS ' flkmerica (CV 66) where he made two cruises to the } yiediterranean. In May 1975, he completed Yeoman ■ ' A School at Naval Technical Training Center Me- i| 1dian, Mississippi where he graduated meritori- I 3usly. In November 1 976, Master Chief Gamiao was trans- ferred to the Armed Forces Examination and En- ' trance Station in Los Angeles, California. In Febru- ■ ary 1981, he reported aboard USS LOCKWOOD (FF , 1064) homeported at Yokosuka, Japan where he r served as the ship ' s secretary. He was promoted to . Chief Petty Officer September 19, 1983. In May 1984, I tie was ordered to the Staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet Human Resource Management Support Division. During his tour, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration I degree from Waylan Baptist University. In January 1988, following a six-month tour as a student at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas, Master Chief Gamiao reported to the Staff of Commander, Carrier Group 7, as Assistant Flag Secretary. He made three Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf deployments aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), USS MIDWAY (CV 41), and USS RANGER (CV 51) for operation DESERT STORM. Master Chief Gamiao reported aboard USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) as Command Master Chief ! in March 1 991 . Soon after reporting on CLEVELAND, he deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean Persian Gulf and made two South Pacific cruises including four Pananma Canal transits. In October 1997, Master Chief Gamiao took on the duties as USS ESSEX (LHD 2) Command Master Chief. Master Chief Gamiao ' s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal. Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, (three awards), the Navy Unit Commenda- tion, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy E ribbon (two awards). Good Conduct Medal (five awards), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (eight awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). YNCM(SW AW) James Gamiao

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER ivMfe- aptain (Select) Douglas Whalen is a native of Michigan, where he was drafted Into the Army In 1971. After a tour In Vietnam, he was discharged In 1 973 and attended Michigan State University, graduating In 1976. Commander Whalen then at- tended Navy Officer Candidate School in 1977 at Newport, Rl, where he was commissioned an Ensign. Sea assignments Include Engineer Officer, USS IMPLICIT(MSO-455); com- missioning Main Propulsion Assistant, USS CALLAGH AN (DDG-994); Engineer Officer, USS ROARK (FF-1053); Engi- neer Officer, USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD-39); Main Propulsion Assistant, USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62); Executive Officer, USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD-39); Commanding Officer, USS COMSTOCK (LSD-45); Executive Officer, USS ESSEX (LHD-2). Shore Assignments consist of Engineering Readiness for Commander, Naval Surface Group Long Beach, CA; Readiness Officer, CINCLANTFLT Det South, Fort Amador, Panama; Executive Officer, Assault Craft Unit Five. Personal decorations Include the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal and the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Commander Douglas Whalen

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Wardroom TOP: The WestPac ' 98 ESSEX Wardroom. ABOVE: ESSEX Academy graduates. RIGHT: Another fine wardroom function. BELOW: The Mustangs got there the hard way and made the difference each day.