Independence (CV 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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I nlfhf' -'KH -Ahh H0 July 12 1985 to July 15 1987 fn Es,.Q5 .I Q f Q f 'fa ' f , ' ,Jug Capt Andrew J Murphy Captam Andrew J Murphy is a native of Louisville Ky. He ln November 1977, he reported to VAW-121 as Executive 5 I I - ' Ill! ll P Executive Officer ' H V Q an 3 i received his commission through the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, and after flight training was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1966. He received orders to VAW-12 in Norfolk, Va., via the Aviation Maintenance Officer School at Naval Air Station Memphis. While attached to VAW-12, Capt. Muigzhy deployed with detachments aboard USS WASP ICVS 1 I and USS RANDOLPH ICVS 15I. In April 1967, he took part in the commissioning of VAW-121, and subsequently deployed to the Mediterranean and EASTLANT aboard USS ESSEX. In August 1969, Capt. Murphy reported to RVAW-120 as a Replacement Pilot Training Instructor. During this period, he completed transition training to the E-2B aircraft, and in addition, attended George Washington University during off- dgty hours, receiving a Master of Science degree in June 1 . In November 1971, Capt. Murphy reported to VAW-123, he senfed as Safety Officer and as Maintenance Officer com- pleting a ten month combat deployment to Southeast Asia and later participating in initial fleet introduction of the E-2C aircraft. Following a tour under instruction at the Armed For- ces Staff College, Capt. Murphy reported to the Naval Safety Center in February 1975 as an Aircraft Accident Investigator. .-1 --. ,g.:a..4 -- '- ' Officer. In February 1979, Capt. Murphy assumed command of VAW-121 and served as Commanding Officer until April 1980. The BIuetaiIs were awarded the CNO AEW Excel- lence Award, the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle E, and the CNO Safety S while deployed in USS DWIGHT D. EISEN- HOWER ICVN 697. CAPTAIN MURPHY then reported to USS NIMITZ ICVN 68l as Assistant Air Officer. He served as NlMITZ's Air Officer from July 1981 until August 1982 when he assumed command of VAW-120, the LANTFLT E20 Replacement Squadron. Upon relief, Capt. Murphy attended the Post Command Course at the Naval War College in New- port, RI., enroute to duty with the office of the Chief of Naval Operations COP 506, Aircraft Requirementsl. In July 1985, he reported' to USS INDEPENDENCE ICV 62I and served as Executive Officer until August 1987. Capt. Murphy has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal tfour awardsl, the Air Medal ffour strike flight awardsl, the Navy Commendation Medal, and various other unit and campaign medals. Captain Murphy and his wife, the former Pamela Browning of Louisville, Ky., reside in San Diego, Calif. They have three children, Kimberly, Kevin, and Brian J.K. x 1,,:f -1-H, : f -fre' - -A f A

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l W' July 15, 1987 to July 31, 1988 Q. n n Capt. Walter D. Bird Captain Walter Dennis Bird, a native of Decatur, Ga., earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University, and an MBA from Chapman College in Orange, Calif. ln July 1966, Capt. Bird entered flight training at Pensacola, Fla., and was commissioned in October 1966. He was desig- nated a Naval Aviator in February 1968. In November 1968, he reported to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 where he deployed to the Western Pacific during the Viet- nam Conflict and to the Mediterranean Sea. Upon stand-down of Tactical Warfare Squadron in May 1970, Capt. Bird reported to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 as a Flight Instructor and Aviation Safety Officer for the EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron. He returned to sea duty in June 1973, reporting to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132, and made a Mediterranean deployment aboard USS INDEPENDENCE as the Assistant Maintenance Officer. In December 1975, Capt. Bird was selected for duty as Flag Secretary to Commander, Medium Attack Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Soon after, he was assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129. While attached to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 133. Capt. Bird served as Maintenance Officer, Administra- Ai.--1-11-. tive Officer, and Operations Officer. He reported to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 135 in December 1979, as Executive Officer while the Squadron was deployed to the Indian Ocean, during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979!80. Capt. Bird commanded Tactical Electronic Warfare Squad- ron 135 from March 1981 to May 1982. Capt. Bird graduated with the National War College Class of 1983 and remained in Washington, D.C., as the Aviation Enlisted Assignment Branch Head, Naval Military Personnel Command, from July 1983 to August 1985. Capt. Bird assumed command of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 on Feb. 28, 1986. Following the change of command, in March 1987, Capt: Bird attended enroute schools for training with the COMNA- VAIRPAC Staff, and Prospective Executive Officers SWO School at Newport, Fil., before reporting as Executive Officer aboard USS INDEPENDENCE lCV 62l July 15, 1987. Capt. Bird's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commenda- tion, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service and Viet- nam Campaign Medals. He has achieved more than 2600 hours flying the EA-6B Prowler. Executive Officer 52,