Flint (AE 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER , JSk J m Commander Alan D. Thomson

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The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Phihppines in 1991 brought liiany unexpected events in the U.S. military. The closing of Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay Naval Base were two major events. Little did the crew of the USS FLINT (AE-32) know this would have a major impact on their lives, too. March 5, 1992 found FLINT westward bound for two weeks of REFTRA in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On April 5, 1992, that westward journey was resumed, with the FLINT headed to Subic Bay with a very unique mission: download and redistribute ammunition from Naval Magazine Subic Bay to all stations throughout the Western Pacific. The third deployment in 2 years for FLINT was a unique one indeed. To witness the ending of an era in Subic Bay, the downloading of USS INGER- SOLL (DD-990) and embarking HSL-37 det 2, to enjoying the nightlife in Hong Kong, the crew experienced opportunities never to be done again. Max Flex became the way of life. I Before sunrise on August 20, 1992, FLINT quietly fsailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, shrouded by the warmly familiar dense fog of San Francisco. Anticipation of being with loved ones, eating America fast food, and going home ran high as FLINT diligently sailed up to the river to Concord Home. The following pages are just a few captured moments of the summer 1992 cruise. They are moments we will all remember as a job well done. — Editor I .

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Commander Alan Douglas Thomson was born in Pensacola, FL, Graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1972, CDR Thomson ' s surface warfare career began with his assignment to ROBERT L WILSON (DD-847). His career has includ- ed service aboard the USS LAWRENCE (DDG-4), USS MCINERNEY (FFG-8) and USS MONONGAHELA (AOR-1 78). His last shipboard tour was as the Executive Offi- cer, USS ROANOKE (AOR-7). His signifi- cant shore assignments have included instructor duty at Dam Neck, Virginia, and most recently, on staff Chief Naval Educa- tion and Training, Pensacola, FL, as Branch Head of Surface Combat Systems Training. CDR Thomson is a graduate of Surface Warfare Officer School, Department Head Course, A rmed Forces Staff College. In addition to his Bachelor of Science in Oceanography, he obtained his MBA from University of West Florida. CDR Thomson is decorated with a Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star. Commander Thomson is married to the former Judith Lynn Hall of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and has two sons, Aaron and Gre- gory. ' i ' c Ijd g 2