John Stennis (CVN 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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1,CDR SCOTT

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STGCM(SW7AW ' ) AARON S. GRAHAM - ' ' ' 1 Graduating from Recruit Training Command, San Diego, Ca., in August 1979, Master Chief Grahiam attended Sonar Technician A school at Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific. Upon graduation, he accepted orders to Pre-commissioning duty for JJSS Fletcher (DD- 992). Master Chief Graham commissioned USS Fletcher (DD-992) in July 1980, home ported in San Diego, Ca. where he operated and maintained the AN SQS-53 Sonar System. He was advanced from STGS A (E-2) through STG3 (E-4). After re-enlisting under the STAR program in 198 1 , Master Chief Graham attended Basic Electronics and Electricity followed by the AN SQS-53 A operations and maintenance course of instruction. Graduating as an STG2 (E-5), Master Chief Graham attended MK 1 16 MOD ' s 1-4 Underwater Battery Fire Control System (UBFCS) operations and maintenance course of instruction with orders to USS Arkansas {CGN-41} home ported in Norfolk, Va. During this tour of duty, from April 1983 to January 1 986, Master Chief Graham was advanced to STG 1 (E-6) and served as maintenance group supervisor for the Sonar and Fire Control work centers, assistant Chief Master- At- Arms, departmental 3M coordinator, Nuclear Weapons handling supervisor, and Leading Petty Officer for CA division. Master Chief Graham then accepte d orders for instructor duty to Combat Systems Technical Schools Command, Mare Island, Ca. where he earned a Master Training Specialist designation and instructed the operations and maintenance course of instruction for the MK 1 16 MOD ' S 5 6 8 9 UBFCS. Master Chief Graham was selected for Chief Petty Officer ( E-7 ) on 1 5 September 1987. In May of 1990, Master Chief Graham accepted 258 USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) orders to USS Valley Forge (CG-50) home ported in S.. Diego, Ca. where he served as Division Officer and Leadin; Chief Petty Officer for CA division. In July 1994, Maste Chief Graham accepted orders to Mobile Technical Un Five located in San Diego, Ca. In September 1994, Mobil Technical Unit Five was disestablished as part of Bas Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program and the Fle( Technical Support Center, Pacific, was established in ii place. Master Chief Graham provided In-Servic Engineering Agent (ISEA) level technical support to Pacif Fleet personnel. He was selected for Senior Chief Petl Officer (E-8) in July 1996. Master Chief Petty Offio Graham earned his Bachelors of Science Degree i ' Workforce Education Training and Development, Sumn; cum Laude, from Southern Illinois University, Carbondal : Illinois in May 1997. In July 1997, Master Chief Graha | accepted orders back to USS Valley Forge as the Weapoi! department and C A division Leading Chief Petty Officer. February 200 1 . after a highly successful second tour on Ul | Valley Forge, Master Chief Graham was hand pick 1 Commodore Phil Wisecup, Commander, Destroye Squadron Twenty-One to serve on his staff. Master Chi Graham was selected for Master Chief Petty Officer (E- in March 2001 and selected for the CMC program and i designated as CMDCM in June 2002. Significant events of Master Chief Graham ' s care include combat operations during Operation Desert Shie Storm, Operation Enduring freedom, numerous deploymei to the Arabian Gulf. Western and Eastern Pacific and Indi Oceans. Master Chief Graham is an honor graduate of Sen Enlisted Academy, Class 90, January-March 2000. Mas Chief Graham obtained his Officer of the Deck (undervv; qualification in USS Valley Forge. He has earned the Na Marine Corp Commendation Medal, Navy Marine C Achievement Medal (Four Awards), Navy Good Cond (Five Awards), Navy Efficiency Batde E Award (F Awards). National Defense Medal, Kuwait Liberation Mec and Southwest Asia Campaign Medal Master Chief Graham is married to the forn Tammy L. Simpson of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They h; three children, Jaclyn (19), Aaron ( 1 6), and Travis (3

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Captain Thompson, a native of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota entered the Aniiy in 1 973 and earned his Army Aviator Wings at the age of 1 9. Serving as a helicopter gunship pilot, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division until 1977. In 1978. he completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics from Embi-y-Riddle Aeronautical University and began his naval career by entering Aviation Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola, Florida. Captain Thompson was commissioned an Ensign in February 1 979 and subsequently began his flight iiaining. I pon completion of flight training at NAS Kingsville, Texas, Captain Thompson was awarded his wings of gold in August 1980. In the spring of 1981, Captain Thompson completed A-7E fleet replacement training with VA 122 at NAS Lemoore, California and was assigned to the Warhawks of VA 97. While assigned to VA 97, he completed two deployments aboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43). In 1 984 Captain Thompson received orders as an instructor pilot to the F A-18 Fleet Rep lacement Squadron (FRS). VFA-125, located at NAS Lemoore, California. Following a rewarding three year tour with the Rough Raiders of VFA 1 25, he was assigned as an F A- 1 8 Weapons Training Officer with the Rock Rivers of VFA 161. In January 1 989 Captain Thompson reported as a Department Head with the forward-deployed Golden Dragons of VFA 192, home based at NAF Atsugi. Japan. While assigned to the Golden Dragons, he completed two deployments aboard USS Midway I C ' 4!). including one combat deployment in support of Operations the Executive Officer of Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Miramar, California Following his tour at TOPGUN. Captain Thompson joined | the Warhawks of VFA 97 in October 1 993 as Executive Officer. He subsequently assumed command of VFA 97 in November 1 994 and led the Warhawks, to include one deployment abomi USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), until December 1995. In March 1996 Captain Thompson assumed command of TOPGUN. a tour which required relocating the Navy Fighter Weapons School to their current home at NAS Fallon, Nevada, and the ultimate integration of TOPGUN into the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), where he servedas the Director of Captain Thompson departed NSAWC in August 1997 for the National War College (NWC) in Washington. DC. Upon graduation from NWC and awai-ding of a Master ' s Degree in National Security Strategy in May 1 998, he reported as Deputy Director of the CINC Liaison Division (N83) on the Chief of Naval Operations staff. Captain Thompson reported as Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing Nine in June 1 999 and subsequently completed one deployment aboard USS John C. Steunis (CV 74). Captain Thompson assumed command as Commander, Carrier Air Wing Nine on 7 August 2000. Amassing over 5500 militar y flight hours, and 950 arrested landings. Captain Thompson has qualified as a pilot in the UH- 1 H. AH- IG, OH-58, 0-2. A-4, A-7, F A- 1 8, F- 1 4 and F- 1 6 aircraft. Captain Thompson ' s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal (three Strike Flight Awards, one individual with V device), Navy Commendation Medal with V device (four awards). Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Battle Efficiency E Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (two awards). Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (three awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal along with numerous other unit and service awards. -! ield ' Storm. : ompson departed Japan in July 1 99 1 and reported to ! VIS (CVN74)