George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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BTCM(AW SW) Michael Driscoll - Command Mas ;r Chief Carrier Airwing SEVEN Master Chief Boiler Technician (surface warfare air warfare) Michael P. Driscoll was bom in Queens, New York in 1954. He graduated from St. Helena’s High School for Boys in Bronx, New York in 1972. Several weeks later, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After graduating from “boot camp” in Great Lakes. Illinois, he attended Boiler Technician “A” School also in Great Lakes. His first duty assignment was in USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40), homeported in Long Beach, California, from 1973 to 1976. He left FORT FISHER as a second class petty officer and was transferred to Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippines, for duty as a corrections specialist in the station brig. In 1979. he was transferred back to Great Lakes, this time as a recruit company commander. He trained five recruit companies and was advanced to first class petty officer. From 1982 until 1987, he served aboard USS SAN JOSE (AFS 7) and USS NIAGARA FALLS (AFS 3), both homeported on the island of Guam. During this period, he was advanced to senior chief petty officer. His next assignment was again as a recruit company commander in Orlando, Florida. He trained three companies and was also selected for advancement to master chief petty officer. After successfully screening for the Command Master Chief Program, Master Chief Driscoll was selected to become the “Sidewinders” of VFA-81’s command master chief in March 1991. On October 30, 1992, Master Chief Driscoll was presented the Navy Commendation Medal as a result of being selected “Sunliner of the Command,” formally recognizing him as the most outstanding contributor to the squadron's many accomplishments. Voluntarily staying at sea for a follow-on tour, Master Chief Driscoll currently serves as command master chief of Carrier Airwing SEVEN. Master Chief Driscoll’s numerous awards include: the Navy Commendation Medal (with gold star), Navy Achievement Medal (with gold star), Good Conduct Medal (with four bronze stars), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with one silver star and one bronze star) and other unit campaign awards. Master Chief Driscoll is married to the former Amermelita B. Lorenzo, of Nueva Ecua, Philippines. They reside in Orlando, Florida, and have three children, Michael, Patrick and Michelle. 542 Carrier Air Wing SEVEN

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Captain Ronald McElraft - Carrier Airwing CAPT maid D. McElraft, a native of Virginia, as designated a naval flight officer in M 1992 after graduation from aviatie officer candidate. NAS Pensacola. 1 ida. Initial rational assignments included du at NAS Miramar, California flying th -4 Phantom with the Vigilantes fVF-151. While at VF-151 he c ployed to Southeast Asia aboard USS NGER (CV-61) conducting combat rations during the final months of th- Vietnam War. Follow assigments were in Fighter Squ on ONE FIVE FOUR aboard USS IDWAY(CV41), homeported Japan, and as an instructor at Training s uadron EIGHTY SIX (VT-86), Pc acola, Florida from 1980-1983. After transitioning to the F-14 Tomcat in 1 S3, CAPT McElraft had tours with the Renegades of VF-24 as a department h ad and with the Wolf Pack of VF from 1988-1991 as executive officer. id commanding officer. While comm nding officer, he deployed aboard USS RANGER to the Arabian Gulf during ( peration “Desert Storm.” CAPT N j El raft is a graduate of the National Dei ise University and has completed joint assignments at Headquarters, Uni cd States Space Commnad. Colorado Springs, Colorado and Joint Task Force. outhwest Asia, Saudi Arabia. CAPT cElraft’s personal awards include the lver Star, Bronze Star. Defense Me orius Service Medal, two individual a ! five Strike Flight Air Medals, Na Commendation Medal (two award with combat “V”, Navy Achievcmc Medal and several unit, service and mpaign awards. He has completed deployments and has more lhan 1,100 carrier arrested landings. CAPT cElraft joind Carrier Airwing SI EN as deputy commander in January 1 94. Deputy Commander SEVEN Carrier Air Wing SEVEN 541

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TO PU USSG Anshin jrwin flBfrr SEVEN (CV ,-ommaixffd I 'oon. Suppoi vasastaffof .n listed Sailoi vised the opa minti Air Wing SEVEN Staff were tasked with , during George 1 Washington’s maiden deployment. Following i homecoming, all squadrons 1 returned to their home bases , located in Norfolk, Virginia; i Virginia Beach, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; and Whidbey Island, i Washington. 1 i CVW-7's squadrons worked together as a war-fighting team to serve i jas the airborne striking force for the embarked battle group commander. The Air Wing mission; 1 ked r-[Wing 0 V as THerb vJ APT Coon V pens and 16 pe men com-, intelligence, and administration Jepartmems. CVW-7’s Jetachments, e provided the st vquircd to per squadrons and two ccd with 80 aircraft, | power and flexibility he diversemissions they ZED ORDNANCE ON TARGET, ON TIME.” LCDR Timothy Doorey LCDR Timothy Patrick LCDR Butch Thompson LT Vincent Bowhers LT Grog Brand LT John Breast LT Wayne Brovelli LT Talmadge Crowe Jr. LT Peter Harris LT Darryl Jackson LT Kevin Johnson LT Mark Leavitt Carrier Air Wing SEVEN 543