Forrestal (CVA 59) - Naval Cruise Book

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V Ji ' ii ' i ' .. V. V «;.■ £;■■■ ■. g - ' ..r ..- Captain John A. Pienoisa native of New Orleans. Louisiana. He received his bachelor of arts degree in Manage- ment from Southeast Louisiana University. Capt. Pieno was commissioned in Pensacola, Florida through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program in Octo- ber 1962 and earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in Corpus Christi, Texas in April 1963. His initial squadron tour was with VR-7,asa navigator in C- 130 aircraft flying logistic support missions. He subsequently was designated bombadier navigator in A-3D Skywarrior aircraft in April 1965 and deployed in USS AMERICA to the Western Pacific and the Mediterranean with Heavy Attack Squadron TEN (VAH-10). Following a tour with Naval Aviation Schools Command in Pensacola, Florida, he transitioned to the A-6 at NAS OCEANA, and made both Mediterranean and Western Pacific deployments in USS SARATOGA with At- tack Squadron SEVENTY-FIVE (VA-75). After a tour at the Armed Forces Staff College, he served on the staff of Medium Attack Wing ONE and joined Attack Squadron ONE-SEVEN-SIX (VA-176) in September 1975 deploying in USS AMERICA to the Mediterranean and South America. In June 1978 he reported to Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35) as Executive Officer embarked in USS NIMITZ. As Commanding Officer he deployed to the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and North Atlantic. He next served as Special Assistant for Executive Personnel to the Secretary of the Navy and then assumed command of the A-6 Replacement Training Squadron, Attack Squadron FOUR-TWO (VA-42) in April 1981. From September 1982 until June 1984 he was Director of Navy Programs, Office of Legisla- tive Affairs, Washington, D.C. He was comman ding officer of USS SAVANNAH (AOR-4) from January 1986 to July 1987. He assumed command of USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) in July 1987. Capt. Pieno ' s awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and numerous other Unit and Cam- paign Awards. He has accumulated over 5000 flight hours and has made over 1300 carrier arrested landings. 11