John Stennis (CVN 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain James A. McDonell was bom and raised in Central New York. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from State University of New York at Binghamton in December 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Captain McDonell was commissioned after completing Aviation Officer Candidate School in June 1977. After being designated as a Naval Aviator in 1 978, he reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Four (HS-4). While attached to HS-4, he completed Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployments in 1979 and 1981 aboard USS Ranger (CV 61) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). In 1984. Captain McDonell earned his Master ' s Degree in Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School. He then reported as Air Officer aboard USS Ogden (LPD 5), where he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. In 1986, Captain McDonell was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One at Patuxent River, Maryland. He then reported to Helicopter Anti- submarine Squadron Two (HS-2) from 1989 until 1991. While with HS-2, he served as Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer and completed an Arabian Gulf Deployment with Air Wing Nine embarked in USS Nimitz (CVN 68). 1 8 USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) In June 1993, Captain McDonell assumed command of Helicopter Anti- submarine Squadron Six (HS-6). HS-6 participated in Operation Southern Watch in the Arabian Gulf and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia while deployed with Air Wing Eleven embarked in USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). During his tour on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff in 1995, Captain McDonell was selected to attend Nuclear Power Training. Following graduation in 1997, he joined USS Abraham Lincoln as Executive Officer and deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 1998. Captain McDonell was Commanding Officer of USS Coronado (AGF 11), Commander Third Fleet ' s command and control ship, from December 1998 until January 2000. Captain McDonell ' s last assignment was as Commander Seventh Fleet ' s Operations, Plans and Engagement Officer aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. In November 2001, Captain McDonell assumed command of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) homeported at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif Captain McDonell has over 4,000 flight hours and has been awarded two Legion of Merit Medals, three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit c ampaign and service awards

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Captain Jeff Miller, a native of Media, Pennsylvania, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering in May 1980. He reported to Pensacola, Florida for pilot training and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 198 1 . Following fleet replacement pilot training, he served in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Bight from June 1982 until October 1984 as Legal Officer, Avionics Armament Division Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer embarked in USS Ranger (CV61) for a Western Pacific Indian Ocean deployment. Following test pilot training at the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland in 1985, he was assigned to the Naval Air Test Center, Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Directorate as an Engineering Flight Test Pilot for the SH-3, VH-3D, and SH-60B F helicopters. In November 1987, he reported to Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Three where he served as Air ASW and Assistant Operations Officer embarked in USS Enterprise (CVN 65) deploying to the Western Pacific Indian Ocean. Captain Miller reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Ten, serving as Safety Officer from June 1989 until October 1990. He next served as Safety, Administrative, and Maintenance Officer in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Six, completing a Western Pacific Arabian Gulf deployment in support of Operations Desert Shield Desert Storm embarked in USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). In October 1992, Captain Miller reported to Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Wing, United States Pacific Fleet and served as the HS Readiness Officer until June 1993, and then as Operations Officer in the newly established Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing, United States Pacific Fleet until March 99A.m His next assignment was to the Program Manager for Multi-Mission Hehcopters (PMA-299) in Washington, D.C., working in Research and Development and on the SH-60R helicopter program. In May 1995, Captain Miller reported aboard asg Executive Officer and then, from February 1997 to June 1998, Commanding Officer of the World Famousg Golden Falcons of Helicopter Anti-Submarin Squadron Two, during which time the Squadron woi the Battle E , Safety S and Golden Anchor awards. He next served as an Aviation Commander Assignment Officer at the Naval Military Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee from July 1998 until July 1999. M Following nuclear power training, he reported to US John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as Executive Officer irm March 2001 . Commander Miller has accumulated over 4,800 flight hours in over 40 different military and civilian aircraft. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards). Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards). Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit anc campaign awards. Captain Miller resides in Coronado, California. ENDURING FREEDOM