George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Scott Benning, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, upon graduation from William Monroe High School in Stanardsville, Virginia entered the Naval Service June 22, 1983. Upon graduation of basic training in Orlando, Florida he attended SK ‘A School in Meridian, Mississippi. His assignments as a Storekeeper include the Naval Ocean Processing Facility, Dam Neck, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USS COMTE DE GRASS (DD-974) Norfolk, Virginia, Underwater Construction Team One, Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD-44), Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia and USS DETROIT (AOE-4), Earle, New Jersey. Command Master Chief Benning is a Graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 88. In December 1999 he was selected to become a Command Master Chief and served as the Command Master Chief of VF-103, The Jolly Rogers, Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is currently serving as the Command Master Chief of Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN, embarked on board the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73). Command Master Chief Benning’s awards include three Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation, four Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO Medal and other service decorations. u COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CARRIER Aik WING SEVENTEEN CMDCtatA'Sr S-S SC'») SCOTT A. flBNMINC

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I R!------------------------------------- ptain Guadagnini was born in Long each, CA on 1 December 1957. After ‘graduation from Woodrow W ilson High School, he attended Long Beach City College prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics, graduating with distinction in 1980. After a brief tour with the Navy Fighter Weapons School, he entered flight training, earning his wings in 1982. In .June 1983 he went to VA-65, where he made two deployments flying the A-6E Intruder aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). In July of 1986, he attended the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School. After graduation, he served at Strike Aircraft Test Directorate as a project pilot and was the first Navy pilot to fly the A-6F. He returned to USNTPS as a fixed wing performance and flying qualities instructor. After A-6 and F-14 refresher training, he reported to CVW-8 as LSO and Strike Operations Officer. During his tour, CVW-8 performed the shakedown cruise of USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and deployed aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) for combat operations in support of Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. For his efforts he was named COMNAVAIRLANT LSO of the Year in 1991. In September 1991, he reported to VA-65, serving as the Safety Officer and Maintenance Officer. In May of 1993, he was assigned to the Office of Senator John McCain as a Legislative Fellow. Following his Fellowship, he worked as an aide in BUPERS and at CINCPACFLT. Captain Guadagnini reported as Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 15 in April 1996 and deployed with CVW-8 aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY(CV 67). He assumed command in July 1997 and led the squadron in combat operations as part of Operation Deliberate Force over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Southern Watch over Iraq. After command, he worked as a liaison between the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Congress. DEPUTY COMMANDER CARRIER AIR tflNG SEVENTEEN CAPTAIN MARK D. GUADAGNINI In August of 2000, he happily returned to sea duty as Operations Officer, Carrier Group EIGHT, deploying in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT for Operation Enduring Freedom combat operations. Captain Guadagnini then reported as the Deputy C ommander of Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN in April 2002. Captain Guadagnini has over 4000 hours of flight time in 45 different aircraft. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Combat “V,” and various campaign awards.

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Air Group SEV ENTEEN came into existence 1 April 1944 h. • numerical designation EIGHTY-TWO. The Air Cm.., . . I!18 V°r d War 11 al At,antic City under the (CV-20) as the firs, air group ,o operate « BENNINGTON Jima. strikes on Tokyo, and lead a multi air wing assaulfon P °p,;ra,e? ,n ,hc Pacinc suPP»rtlng th- itil deactivated in September 1958, Air Grouu SIATM rrv SUptT ba,,lcshlP 'amato resulting ii yed on USS FRANK!.IS D. ROOSEVELT A “ FEM EEN was reactivated in November iqr.fi ' ' assault on I wo Jima, strikes on Tokyo, and lead a multi her demise. Until Fleet and deployed Air Wing SEVEN I EEN was reactivated in November 1966 and assigned toUSsToRRFSTAi fCV w t , 6 ,n months after re-forming, the Air Wing deployed to the Tonkin Gulf aboard FORRFST VI n ( 25 July, on the fifth day of combat operations, a .uni rocket was accidentam,SSI° SOn a d a Ca'aS,r°PhiC firC engU'fed « Herculean efforts evenZhyh Throughout the nest 15 years the FORRESTAL CVW-17 team remained intact, conducting ten Mediterranean deployments. In November 1982, CVW-17 cross decked to USS SARATOGA (CV-60). The '85- 86 Med Cruise found SARATOGA CV YV-17 action, intercepting the containing the Achille October 1985, and against Libya in March deployed again to the CVW -17 launched the Iraq at 3:00 a.m. on 17 continued to strike over the 43 days during STORM. CVW-17 four million pounds of DESERT STORM. In 17 and SARATOGA record setting Mediterranean, logging and over 9,500 arrested SARATOGA were the Group to take station in the Adriatic off the coast of Yugoslavia supporting Operation PROVIDE PROMISE In June 1994, CVW-17 was transferred to USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) homeported in Norfolk. VA. Upon completing a successful 1996 deployment on ENTERPRISE, CVW-17 transferred to USS EISENHOW ER (CVN- 69), also homeported in Norfolk, VA. Durin« “TEAM 90V’ (CVIV-73 + CVW-17) combat deployment to the Mediterranean and Arabian Seas in 2000. CVW-17 broke numerous operational and safety records living over 9.100 sorties. 18.000 Right hours and logging over 9200 arrested landings Following the September 11.2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, C.V Y-I7and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON responded immediately to defend the United States from further attacks. New York City residents awoke on 12 September to a fully armed nuclear aircraft carrier cruising on the City horizon. The am wmg and ship learn then (lew Defensive Combat Air Patrols off the U.S. coast to support Operation N°BLE EAGLE for the next 5 days. In 2002, CVW-17 and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON deployed and conducted comha, operations to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. ........ »mt VFA-81 Ovine Current CVW-17 composition i C'Udt 'T'!”3M KFVK VS -TO living the S-Vb VIKING, VAQ-132 flying the the F A-18C HORNET, VAVV-125 flying the E-2C HAW KEV E, « k EA-6B PROW LER and HS-15 flying the SH-60F and HH-60H SEAIIA Team in the thick of the Egyptian airliner Lauro hijackers on 10 conducting strikes 1986. The Team Med in 1987. first combat strike into January 1991, and targets continuously Operation DESERT aircraft delivered over ordnance supporting November 1992, CVVV- complctcd another deployment to the over 22.500 flight hours landings. CVW-17 and first Carrier Battle