George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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COMMAND MAS aster Chief Elliott was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was raised in the mountains of Silver City in southwestern New Mexico. A 1967 graduate of Silver City High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s Delayed Entry Program in November 1968 and attended boot camp at Recruit Training Command, San Diego, California. Master Chief Elliott has made 13 overseas deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Northern Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Western Pacific. He has served with Attack Squadrons 66, 72, 105, and COMCARAIRWING SEVEN on board USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67). USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62), and USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). In addition, he has deployed with the Fleet Marine Force, 1st MAW, to Iwakuni Japan. Master Chief Elliott’s shore assignments have included tours with the aviation crash crew at NAS Orange Grove. Texas; power plants supervisor at TRARON 26. command senior chief at TRARON 24 in Beeville. Texas; flight deck control and maintenance master chief, and command master chief of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA. Master Chief Elliott became USS GEORGE WASHINGTON’S third command master chief in August of 1995. Master Chief Elliott’s awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), Navy Battle Efficiency “E (two awards). Good Conduct Medal (six awards), National Defense Medal (two awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal (two awards), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (six awards), and the Pistol Marksmanship ribbon. Master Chief Elliott is married to the former Brenda Lanell Barr of Alice, Texas. They have three children: Jesse, Patrick and Amanda. AFCM(AW) Jesse J. Elliott 10 Command