George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 84 text:

 Captain Kent D. Whalen, is a native of Grand Blanc, Michigan and is a 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Acadamy. He received his wings in 1986 in Meridian, Mississippi. He reported to VA-147 at Cecil Field, Florida for A-7 FRS training and upon completion was ordered to VA-37 “Bulls” aboard USS FORRESTAL. While with VA-37 he made two deployments, which included participation in Operation EARNEST WILL in the Persian Gulf. His assignment with the Bulls included Legal Officer, Aviation and Armament Division Officer, Weapons Training Officer, and Training Officer. He was awarded the squadron’s FJ. Davis Memorial Award for junior officer leadership in 1990. Captain Whalen reported to VFA-106 at Cecil Field in June of 1990 for transition training in the F A-18 Hornet and follow on duty' as a FRS Instructor pilot. He first served as the squadron’s Aviation Safety Officer and then as the Strike Phase Head. He was one of the first FRS’s initial NVG instructor’s and standardized the syllabus for high and low altitude NVG training. In 1994 Captain Whalen was selected to serve as Flag Lieutenant and Aide to the Deputy Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia. In 1995 he was ordred to VFA-86 at Cecil Field as a Department Head. During his tour with the Sidewinders he served as Safety Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer. While aboard USS AMERICA in 1996 he participated in Operation DELIBERATE FORCE in Bosnia-Herzegovina and flew in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in Iraq. In 1997 Captain Whalen attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island receiving a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. From 1998 until February 2000 he was assigned to the Director of Intelligence, United States Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While there he worked in the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center as an Intelligence Watch Team Commander and then as Chief Combined Intelligence Watch for NORAD USSPACECOM. He earned subspecialties in Space Operations and Operational Intelligence. In 1999 he attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Captain Whalen was assigned to VFA-34 “Blue Blasters” at NAS Oceana, Virginia in 2000 and assumed command of the squadron in 2001. While the CO of the Blasters the squadron participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. He reported for Navy Nuclear Power Training in Charleston, South Carolina in 2003. Captain Whalen reported as Executive Officer onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) in May 2005. He has made six deployments and accumulated over 3400 flight hours and 775 carrier landings. His decorations include a Joint Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Flight Air Medals, Two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.

Page 83 text:

During this tour he was selected for Operational Command and after undergoing F A-18 refresher training, he reported to the “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 113 in July 1993 and assumed Command on August 25,1994. Deploying aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) to the Pacific Indian Oceans and the Arabian Gulf; Captain White participated in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in Iraq, contingency planning in support of the International Atomic Energy Federation negotiations with Korea, was the OIC for Exercise INSPIRED ALERT in Pakistan, and was the Senior Battle Group Liaison Officer to Australia. Captain White relinquished Command of the “Stingers” on October 26,1995 and was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, DC under the Chief of Naval Operations, CINC Liaison Divison, OPNAV N-83. In January 1997 Captain White commenced Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training and in November 1998 was assigned as Executive Officer of USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). While deployed from June - October 2000 in the Arabian Gulf Mediterranean Sea, the GEORGE WASHINGTON was involved in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, and combat operations against Iraq. Upon detaching from USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Captain White reported to USS ARCTIC (AOE-8) in November 2000 as Commanding Officer. In April 2001 ARCTIC deployed to the Mediterranean North Seas and the Arabian Gulf as part of the ENTERPRISE Battle Group. Under Captain White’s command, ARCTIC provided logistics support for the Second Sixth Fifth Fleets in addition to leading Maritime Intercept Operations, boarding and towing United Nations Sanction violating vessels, and providing armed escort for other U.S. Vessels. On September 11th 2001, ARCTIC was the first warship on station in the Northern Indian Ocean and part of the initial response to the terrorist attacks and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. After relinquishing command on 14 June 2002, Captain White served as Chief of Staff, Commander Second Fleet Striking Fleet Atlantic from July 2002 to February 2004. He was selected for CVN command in October 2002 and reported to USS GEORGE WASHINGTON in August 2004.

Page 85 text:

 Command Master Chief David A. Rudd entered active duty service in February 1983. After completing recruit training, he graduated from Machinist Mate “A” school in Great Lakes, Illinois and then attended Second Class Dive School in Coronado, Califorina. Master Chief Rudd’s first assignment was aboard USS SIERRA (AD 18) homeported in Charleston, S.C. He then transferred to First Class Dive School in Panama City, Florida, and upon graduation reported aboard USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40) in Charleston S.C. During this tour he qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. Master Chief’s first shore duty assignment was in 1989, at Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity in Charleston, where he was the Dive Locker Leading Petty Officer and in 1991 COMNAVAURFLANT Shore Sailor of the Year finalist. In 1992 he was reassigned to USS HOLLAND (AS 32) in Agana, Guam. After being advanced to Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief served as the Dive Locker Leading Chief and R-6 Division Leading Chief. After three years in Guam, he transferred to Trident Refit Facility in Kings Bay, Georgia, where he served as Dive Locker Leading Chief and advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. In 1997 he reported aboard USS SAFEGUARD (ARS 50) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he served as the Quality Assurance Officer and Dive Locker Leading Chief. In 1998, he advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer and was selected for the Command Master Chief Program. Since graduating from the Senior Enlisted Academy (’85 Blue) in March of 1999, he has served CMC tours aboard USS TORTUGA (LSD 46), USS VELLA GULF (CG 72) and Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek. In May 2005, Master Chief Rudd assumed the duties as the Command Master Chief aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).