Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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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CPO Mess TOP: The WestPac ' 98 ESSEX Goat Locker. ABOVE: New Chiefs grin for the camera. LEFT: Departmental LCPO ' s looking their best. BELOW: Water? We don ' t need no stinkin ' water... Having fun in Jebal All.