George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captian Troy M. (Mike) Shoemaker, a native of St. Petersburg Florida, graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Systems Engineering. After he was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1984, Captain Shoemaker reported to VA-174 at Cecil Field, Florida for A-7E replacement pilot training. In April 1985, Captain Shoemaker was assigned to the “Gunslingers” of VA-105 and made two Mediterranean deployments aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59). In October 1988, he reported to VA-122 in Lemoore, California as an A-7E Instructor Pilot and Landing Signal Officer. Captain Shoemaker returned to Cecil Field in March 1991 and transitioned to the F A-18 with VFA-106. He subsequently joined CVW-3 as a staff Landing Signal Officer. Captain Shoemaker received orders back to the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 in September 1992 for his department head tour and made two Mediterranean Arabian Gulf deployments aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). In August 1995, he was selected to serve as the Aide to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations and in February 1996 was assigned to the US PACCOM in Hawaii as the Naval Aide to the Commander. Following this assignment and F A-18 refresher training, Captain Shoemaker reported for his third tour as a “Gunslinger” in Aug 1998, this time as the XO, and participated in Operation Desert Fox during an Arabian Gulf deployment aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). He assumed command of VFA-105 in November 1999 and deployed a year later aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) on her maiden deployment. In April 2001, Captain Shoemaker reported to the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee, where he served as the Head Aviation Placement Officer (PERS-433). Captian Shoemaker was next assigned to VFA-106, the East Coast F A-18 Replacement Squadron, where he served as the “Gladiators” Commanding Officer from October 2002 until March 2004. From April to July 2004 he served as Deputy Director, Combined Air Operations Center, A1 Udeid Air Base, Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February 2005, he reported to Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN as the Deputy Commander. Captain Shoemaker assumed command of CVW-17 in May 2006. Captain Shoemaker’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals (one individual award with combat “V” and two strike flight awards), two Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals and various unit, campaign and service ribbons. He has accumulated over 4,000 flight hours and 1,000 carrier landings. Captain Shoemaker is married to the former Peggy Golden of Bloomington, Minnesota. They have two young daughters, Lucy and Grace, and reside in Virginia Beach.

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 CAnninn vn 3cVx t CC 7 r ESnii iH T 2003 rrurr MTfLLlA 7 , -- Captain Massey, a native of Gallantin, Tennessee, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1980. He entered Aviation Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in April 1981. He was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1982. After initial F-14 training. Captain Massey was assigned to the “SLUGGERS” of VF-103 in 1983 and made two deployments onboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60). In 1986, he was assigned to VF-101 as an FRS instructor and LSO. Following his tour as an FRS instructor, he was selected as an Air Wing LSO for Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17) aboard SARATOGA and participated in DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In February 1991, Captain Massey reported to Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlanic as the Force LSO. In May 1992, Captain Massey reported to VF-32 and deployed aboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) to the Mediterranean Sea, operating in the Adriatic Sea. He then reported to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In September 1995, he reported to VF-24 as the Executive Officer and deployed onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). Upon the disestablishment of VF-24 in August 1996, Captain Massey reported to VF-101 as the Executive Officer. In July 1997, Captain Massey reported to the “JOLLY ROGERS” of VF-103 as the Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer deploying aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). Following his command tour. Captain Massey was assigned to the Naval Personnel Command as the Head, Aviation Junior Officer Placement and Detailer. Captain Massey then reported as the Deputy Commander of Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN in July 2003. He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN in February 2005. He is a DESERT STORM and IRAQI FREEDOM veteran with over 4,200 flight hours and more than 1,280 carrier landings in the F-14 “TOMCAT” and F A-18 “HORNET”. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), 5 Air Medals, 6 Navy Commendation Medals and numerous unit, campaign and service medals. Captain Massey is married to the former Ruth Martindale of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They have a daughter, Ryan and a son. Will.

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 SfSfci Captain Szarleta was commissioned through the NROTC program at Purdue University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After completing Naval Flight Officer school in 1985, he was assigned to VAQ- 140 as an EA-6B ECMO, homeported at NAS Whfdbey Island for deployments with the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) Battlegroups in the Mediterranean Theater. In 1988, Captain Szarleta was selected for the NFO to Pilot Transition program where he received his Naval Aviator designation and subsequent orders to the Hornet community. Assigned to VFA-136, he completed workup and deployment cycles with CVW-7 aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) throughout the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and North Atlantic AOR’s. In 1994, he reported to the U.S. Army’s Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for JPME Phase One training. After FRS refresher training, he reported to the Dambusters of VFA-195, homeported in Atsugi, Japan, with CVW-5 aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA 62). Serving as Safety, Maintenance, and Operations Officer, he completed several deployments throughout Korea, the Persian Gulf, and Pacific theaters. In 1997, Captain Szarleta reported to VFA-106, the east coast F A-18 FRS for duties as assistant Training, Training, and Operations Officers during the BRAC closing of NAS Cecil Field, Florida, and subsequent relocation to NAS Oceana, Virginia. Captain Szarleta reported to the Bulls of VFA-37 as Executive Officer in March 2000 and deployed with CVW-3 and the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 74) Battlegroup in the Arabian Gulf. After his command tour at VFA-37, Captian Szarleta reported to the Navy Military Personnel Command in Millington, Tennesse as Head, Air Combat Placement (PERS-433) and the Bureau’s Naval Aviation Production Team Representative. In November 2003, Captain Szarleta assumed command of the Rough Raiders of VFA-125. In May 2006, he assumed the duties as Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17).