George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 14 text:

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

Page 13 text:

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

Page 15 text:

COMMAND MASTER CHIEF, CVW 7 Master Chief Boiler Technician Michael P. Driscoll was born in Queens. New York City m 1954. He graduated from St. Helena s High School For Boys, located in Bronx. New York in 1972 and several weeks later enlisted in the United States Navy. After graduating from “boot camp in Great Lakes. Illinois, he went on to attend Boiler Technician “A School, also in Great Lakes. His first duty assignment was USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40). homeported in Long Beach. California from 1973 to 1976. He left there 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 be was transferred back to Great Lakes. Illinois — 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 was homeported on the island of Guam, serving on board the USS SAN JOSE (AFS 7) and the USS NIAGARA FALLS (AFS 3) After successfully screening for the Command Master Chief Program. Master Chief Driscoll was selected to become VFA-81's Command Master Chief in March of 1991. Voluntarily staying at sea for another tour. Master Chief Dnscofl was assigned to serveas Command Master Chief of Carner Air Wing SEVEN. Master Chief Driscoll departed the GW CVW 7 Team halfway through the cruise. He has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (two gold stars); Navy Achievement Medal with gold star; Good Conduct Medal with one silver star. Sea Service Deployment ribbon with one silver star and three bronze stars and various campaign and service awards. Master Chief Driscoll has earned a baccalaureate degree in history and is married to the former Amermelita B. Lorenzo of Cabiao. Nueva Ecija. Philippines. They reside in Orlando. Florida with their children. Michael. Patrick and Michelle. BTCM (AW SW) Michael P. Driscoll Master Chief Ashenfelter was born and raised in Baltimore. Maryland. A 1969 graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve at Fort McHenry in January 1972 He attended boot camp and Fire Controlman “A School at Recruit Training Command. Great Lakes. Illinois. Master Chief Ashenfelter has served on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68). USS Briscoe (DO 977). as Command Master Chief on USS Leftwich (DD 984) and currently with Carrier Air Wing SEVEN on board USS George Washington (CVN 73). Master Chief Ashenfelter has deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. Northern Arabian Gulf. Western Pacific and North Atlantic. Master Chief Ashenfelter’s shore duty assignments have included tours as a Technical Representative with NAVSEACENLANT. St. Julien's Creek. VA. instructor Duty at NATO Seasparrow Missile System “C School. Dam Neck. Virginia, short range missile evaluator with the Mobile Combat Systems Trainer 20B4 at Fleet Training Group, Little Creek. VA and as Command Master Chief of Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity. Little Creek. VA. Master Chief Ashenfelter is married to the former Leslie Hansen of Bayonne. New Jersey. They have one son. Christopher, who resides in Baltimore. Maryland. Command 11