George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Capt. William L. McKee was born in Worthington.Ohio. Graduating with honors, he received a commission from the Naval Academy in June 1975. After flight training. Capt. McKee reported to the “Hellrazors of VA174 for training in the A-7E Corsair. He joined the “Ubangis of VA 12 on board USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) in April 1977. In 1980. Capt. McKee reported to VA 45 at Cecil Field. He was one of the initial cadre of personnel to move with the squadron to NAS Key West. While serving with the “Blackbirds , he was the first attack pilot to serve as Adversary Program Manager. In 1983. Capt. McKee began participation in the foreign exchange program, flying Harrier GR3 aircraft with the Royal Air Force. After training in the United Kingdom, he served two years with 3 (F) Squadron in Gutersloh. West Germany. Following his exchange tour. Capt. McKee attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk. Virginia. In July 1986. he joined the “Valions of VA 15. where he helped the squadron transition to the F A-18 Hornet. Capt. McKee served as Operations and Maintenance Officer of the Valions. In December 1988. Capt. McKee reported for duty in Washington D.C., where he served as Capt. William L. McKee an aide to Secretary William Ball III. Director of Operations in the Office of Legislative Affairs, and on the personal staff of Sen. John Glenn under the Legis Fellows Program. After Refresher Training. Capt. McKee reported to the Sunliners” of VFA 81 as Executive Officer, and in August 1990, deployed aboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60) during Operation Desert Shield, subsequently flying combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. He assumed command of VFA 81 in September 1991, leading the “Sunliners through another successful Mediterranean deployment commencing in June 1992. He relinquished command in November 1992 and began nuclear power training in Orlando. Florida. He reported aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) as Executive Officer in June 1994. He left GW in May 1996. Capt. McKee has amassed more than 5.000 flight hours in a variety of aircraft. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross (with Combat “V”). Meritorious Service Medal (with Gold Star), seven individual and two strike flight Air Medals. Navy Commendation Medal (with two Gold Stars and Combat “V”). Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign and unit awards. Capt. McKee and his wife. B.J.. have three daughters. Heather. Kayleigh. and Meredith. 8 Command

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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

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Commander Michael R. Groothousen. son of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Groothousen. was raised in Houston. Texas. He received his commission as a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in June 1975 with a BS in Ocean Engineering. He was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1976. Upon completion of Fleet Replacement Pilot Training. Commander Groothousen was assigned to VA 15. While in the “Valions . he made a South American and two Mediterranean deployments aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66) and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). In January 1980. he reported to Commander Training Wing THREE, in Beeville. Texas, as TRAWING LSO. In July 1982, Commander Groothousen reported to Carrier Air Wing EIGHT embarked in USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) as Wing LSO. During this tour, he made one Mediterranean deployment flying the A-7E. Following F A-18 transition in Lemoore. California, he returned to Naval Air Station. Cecil Field. Florida as one of the initial cadre of Hornet Instructor Pilots on the east coast, serving in the newly recommissioned Gladiators of VFA 106. In August 1986. he was assigned to the VFA 132 Privateers. During this tour, he deployed to MCAS Iwakuni. Japan and Yechon AFB. Korea. Upon graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College in January 1989. Commander Groothousen reported to the Director of Operations. United States Space Command. While assigned to US SPACECOM. he served as Crew Commander and Deputy Chief of Missile Warning Operations Division within Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base. Colorado. He assumed duties as Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 137 in September 1991. On September 18.1992. he assumed command of VFA 137 and completed the homeport reassignment of the squadron to NAS Lemoore. California and deployed aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). From January to October 1994. Commander Groothousen served as Head. Tactical Air Budget Program Analyst on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Washington. DC. prior to commencing Nuclear Power Training in Orlando. Florida. He assumed duties as Executive Officer. USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) in May 1996. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Meritorious Service Medal. Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. Cmdr. Groothousen is married to the former Patricia Tarpley Payne of Alexandria. Va. They live with their two children. Michael Jr. and Margaret. Cmdr. Michael Groothousen Command 9