George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain Ronald D. McElraft, a native of Virginia, was designated a naval flight officer in May 1972 after graduation from Aviation Officer Candidate School, NAS Pensacola, Florida. Initial operational assignments included duty at NAS Miramar, California, flying the F-4 Phantom with the “Vigilantes” of VF 154. While at VF 154 he deployed to Southeast Asia aboard USS RANGER (CV 61) conducting combat operations during the final months of the Vietnam War. Follow-on assignments were in VS-151 aboard USS MIDWAY (CV 41), homeported in Japan, and as an instructor at VT 86. Pensacola, Florida from 1980-1983. After transitioning to the F-14 Tomcat in 1983, Captain McElraft had tours with x «. ■ the Renegades of VF 24 as department Capt. Ronald D. McElraft head and with the ..W0|f Pack» of VF , from 1988-1991 as executive officer and commanding officer. While serving as commanding officer of VF 1, he deployed aboard USS RANGER to the Arabian Gulf during Operation “Desert Storm.” Captain McElraft is a graduate of the National Defense University and has completed joint assignments at Headquarters, United States Space Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Joint Task Force. Southwest Asia, Saudi Arabia. Captain McElraft’s personal awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two individual and five Strike Flight Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards) with combat “V”, Navy Achievement Medal and several unit, service and campaign awards. He has completed 10 deployments and has more than 1,100 carrier arrested landings. Captain McElraft joined Carrier Air Wing SEVEN as deputy commander in January 1994 and assumed command of the air wing in April 1995. 6 Command

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Captain Malcolm Parker Branch was born in Denver, Colorado. He attendee the University of Wisconsin on a Naval ROTC scholarship, graduating with ho: and commissioned an Ensign, USN, in 1969. Captain Branch then reported te the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, where in 1970 he received a Masters of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Following graduate study. Captain Branch began flight training, receiving his Wings of Gold in February 1972. He subsequently served in and deployed with three A-7E Corsair II squadrons: VA 27 from 1973 to 1975, pad|cip tina in the evacuation of Saigon: VA192 from 1981 to 1984. during which tim composite air wing detacl 27 again, serving as E tured the Battle “E”, Safety his tour. Between squadrto in electronic warfare f%«g Officer of the Light as Officer-in-Charge of the largest lie of the Philippines: and VA The “Royal Maces cap-ance Excellence during •erational Test Director Group 7: Commanding ations Officer for Com- mander. Carrier Groi Following a 19-montn training period in the Nuclear Power Program. Captain Branch was the commissioning Exeajfcye Officer of the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). Subsequently, Captain Branchcommanded USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC 20), the Fighting Flagship of CommandeTseconoHeet. during her transformation to the Navy's prototype joint afloat command and control platform. He returned to USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) in April 1995 to become her third Commanding Officer. Captain Branch’s decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award. Navy Commendation Medal, and various unit commendations and campaign awards. He has flown more than 3,000 hours in 19 different tactical aircraft and accumulated more than 600 carrier landings. He is a proven subspecialist in Aeronautical Engineering. Captain Branch is married to the former Nancy Watson of Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Command 5

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DER, CARRIER AlR WING7 Captain Jan graduated from the US. Naval Academy in June 1974 with a B.S. in Analytical Management. Following designation as a naval aviator in November 1975, he reported to VA 42 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia. In September 1976. he reported to the “Sunday Punchers of VA 75, completing two Mediterranean deployments. Captain Jan reported to VT 86 in Pensacola, Florida in May 1979. as a flight instructor in the TA-4J SKYHAWK and T-39D SABRELINER. He next reported to Commander Carrier Group FOUR as Strike Operations Officer in November 1981, completing two Indian Ocean Mediterranean deployments, including USS CARL VINSON’S first deployment. Following a brief refresher period at VA 42, Captain Jan reported to VA 34 in April 1984. During that tour he participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon in the Gulf of Sidra. After completing his second deployment with the “Blue Blasters in September 1986, he reported to Commander Medium Attack Wing ONE as Readiness Officer. In April 1988 he assumed command of Medium Attack Weapons School, Atlantic, at NAS Oceana, Virginia. Relieved in June 1989, he reported to VA 75 as Executive Officer, subsequently taking command of the “Sunday Punchers in February 1991 in the Red Sea, during Operation Desert Storm. After relinquishing command, in April 1992 he reported to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense. Program Analysis and Evaluation, as an analyst in the Tactical Aircraft and Force Structure Analysis Divisions. He detached in February 1994 and while undergoing training en route to USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) as Executive Officer, Captain Jan was selected for Air Wing command. He joined Carrier Air Wing SEVEN in May 1995 as Deputy Commander and assumed command in June 1996. His personal decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V , Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Individual and two Strike Flight Air Medals, nine Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal and various service and campaign ribbons. He has flown more than 5.400 hours and has accumulated over 1,200 arrested landings. Captain Jan is married to the former Pamela Ann Moranville. They have a daughter. Kaitlyn. and a son, Bryan. Capt. Kolin W. Jan Command 7