John Stennis (CVN 74) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 20 text:

RADM GERPy HOEWING COMMANDER CARWER GROUP SEVEN Rear Admiral Gerry Hoewing is the Commander of Carrier Group SEVEN em- barked on USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-7 homeported at Naval Air Station North Island, Si r Diego, California. He assumed command on :: October 1999. Rear Admiral Hoewing is from Keokuk, low . He graduated from Iowa State University with 3 Bachelor of Science Degree and received his cor- mission in l ay 1971 through the NROTC Schoia- ship Program. He was designated a Naval Aviatr in August 1972. Rear Admiral Hoewing received initial Flet Replacement Pilot training in the A-7E CORSAIR I light attack aircraft at NAS Lemoore, California, aii served with Attack Squadrons ONE FORTY-SEVE ONE TWENPi ' -TWO and NINETY-FOUR, completing several Western Pacific deployments onboard Ui CONSTELLATION (CV 64) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). In December 1980, he reported to Air Te and Evaluation Squadron FIVE at Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, where he served Operational Test Director for the F A-18 HORNET Operational Evaluation. Following A-7E and F-14 refresher training, Rear Admiral Hoewing was assigned as Carrier Air Wii SIX Operations Officer, where he completed three Mediterranean Indian Ocean deployments onboa INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) and USS FORRESTAL (CV 59). After graduating from the National W — ' -eported as Executive Office of Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHTY-ONE and assumi commano of the SUNQNERS m May 1989, where he deployed aboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60) durii Operation DESERT SHIELD. Following his squadron command tour. Rear Admiral Hoewing served at the Bureau of Na Personnel as Aviation LCDR Junior Officer Assignment Branch Head. In January 1993 he assum command of the Fast Combat Logistics Support Ship USS SEATTLE (AOE 3), where he deployed to t Mediterranean in support of the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group. In January 1995 he becar ?Oth Commanding Officer of the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67). He then served as the Senior Milita Abbistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in Washington, DC. Rear Admiral Hoewing ' s first Flag Officer assignment was as the Assistant Commander 1 Distribution (PERS 4), Navy Personnel Command, where he was responsible for the assignment of mc than 370,000 Navy men and women. He is authorized to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stai s Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Med -US campii ' ' ■ ' - ice awards. -e IS mar; f Red Bluff, CA. They have a son, Sean, and iQx, 5a r

Page 19 text:

USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN-74)

Page 21 text:

BATTUt LsKLJUl- ' I CAPT DAN L THIGPEN CHIEF OF STAFF, COMCARGRU 7 ' J S WSWWK ' Captain Thigpen is the Chief of Staff, Carrier Group SEVEN. He assumed this role in July 1999. A native of South Texas, he attended Hariingen High School before entering the U.S. Naval Academy. Fol- lowing commissioning in 1973, he re- sived nuclear power training at Mare Island, Cali- )rnia; and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Reporting to his first permanent assignment board USS FLASHER (SSN 613), home ported in earl Harbor, Hawaii in October 1974, he served in variety of junior officer billets and participated in r ie ship ' s refueling overhaul at Mare Island Naval hipyard, WESTPAC operations onboard USS UFFER (SSN 652), and two post overhaul Western acific operations on FLASHER. Captain Thigpen next reported to the NROTC nit at Texas A M University in June 1978 as the avigation Operations instructor where he also 2rved as a Company Outfit Advisor. He detached om the unit in June 1980, but remained at Texas A M to complete a Master of Science Degree in idustrial Engineering. Following graduation in December 1980, Captain Thigpen reported to USS UARDFISH (SSN 612) where he served as the Engineer Officer and participated in Northern Pacific and ' estern Pacific deployments. ! From 1983 to 1985, Captain Thigpen served as the Senior Evaluation Officer for the Nuclear ■opulsion Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho. He then reported to the pre-commissioning unit for USS ENNESSEE (SSBN 734) as the Executive Officer. He left TENNESSEE in April 1989, after participating the first submerged launch of the Trident II (D-5) missile. Captain Thigpen commanded USS PASADENA (SSN 752) from 1989 to 1992. Following completion a Post Shakedown Availability in Groton, Connecticut, PASADENA transferred to the Pacific Fleet and ibsequently conducted the first Western Pacific deployment of an Improved 688 submarine. After a brief stint as a Deputy Commander at Submarine Squadron THREE, Captain Thigpen served the Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness and Training for Carrier Group THREE and the LINCOLN Battle |-oup Command and Control Warfare Commander (C2WC). The LINCOLN Battle Group deployed in June 93 and operated in the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean near Somalia in support of two United Nations :)erations. Captain Thigpen next reported to Headquarters, U. S. Pacific Command in June 1994 as the Chief, juise Missile Support Activity distributing thousands of Tomahawk Land Attack Missile missions in iipport of the U. S. Central and Pacific Commands. His most recent tour was as Commanding Officer, . S ALASKA SSBN 732 (Blue) from December 1997 to May 1999. During that tour, he participated in o strategic deterrent patrols. Captain Thigpen has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the ' Britorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and various ftit and service awards. He is married to the former Elizabeth (BJ) Correll of Jerome, Idaho. They have two sons. Joshua 53 Senior at the University of Hawaii and Jared is a Freshman at Rice University. A COMCARGRU 7 | 17