Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - Naval Cruise Book

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Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command Master Chief Sonar Technician Jeffr Vanos was born 1 October 1941 in Los Angeles. He attended American River Junior College in Sacra- mento prior to enlisting in the Navj ' on 10 November 1960. After recruit training in San Diego, Master Chief Vanos was assigned to Administrative Command, Naval Training Center, followed by Sonarman A School where he graduated first in his class in November 1961. The master chief was advanced to sonarman third class during his tour in USS Koiner (DER- 331) and returned to Fleet Anti-Submarine War- fare School, San Diego for Sonar B School on the STAR program and from which he gradu- ated first. He was advanced to sonar technician second class and assigned to USS McCloy (DE-1038) for five months after which he went to Fleet Sonar School, Key West, Florida for advanced training in computer technology and underwater fire con- trol systems. The master chiefs next assignment was USS Newman K. Perry (DD-883) homeported in New- port, Rhode Island. During this tour he was pro- moted to first class and served as division and department leading petty officer. Following brief tours at Naval Training Cen- ter, Bainbridge, Maryland, he served in USS Sterett (CG-31) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. While in Sterett, he was advanced to chief petty officer in August 1969 and was awarded the Na y Achievement Medal with combat V . In August 1970, Master Chief Vanos was transferred to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific for instructor duty in the Sonar A School. He was promoted to senior chief petty officer in July 1972 and became course coordinator for underwater fire control systems and SQS-23 Series sonar systems. Prior to transfer he attended the SQS-26CX sonar maintenance course. The master chiefs next assignment was USS Roark (FF-1053) homeported in San Diego. Dur- ing his tour he was command senior chief and received his second Navj ' Achievement Medal. He was transferred back to Fleet ASW Train- ing Center, Pacific, in 1978 where he served as SQS-26 series course coordinator and surface ser- vices division officer. Following promotion to master chief petty officer in July 1980 he was appointed to serve as command master chief. During this tour he was awarded his third Na T Achievement Medal and the Navy Commenda- tion Medal. Master Chief Vanos reported aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in April 1982 as Command Master Chief. The master chief is married to the former Karen Kay Boger and they have three children: Michael Dale, Carrie Ann, and Gina Marie.

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xecutive Officers: Executive Officer Captain Jerry D. Norris Captain Jerry D. Norris. the son of Stanley and Mary Norris, was born Octoberl9, 1941. in Marietta. Ohio. He attended Nelsonville High School. Nelsonville. Ohio, and graduated from the University of Illinois in January 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design. He also completed his LLB Degree of Law from LaSalle Univer- sity of Chicago Home Studies Program. Captain Norris enlisted in the Naval Reserve in March 1963 and upon completion of college he entered the Aviation Officer Candidate Program. Commissioned an ensign in June 1964. his first assignment was with Airborne Early Warning Squad- ron 1.3. Argentia. Newfoundland. In June 1965. he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola. Florida, where he was assigned to Training Squadron Six as an advanced meteorology instructor. He then transferred to Tactical Airborne Electronic Warfare Squadron 133 in September 1967. flying the EKA-3B. In June 1970. he was trans- ferred to the office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) as his personal aide, subsequently serving as the personal aide to the Chief of Naval Operations. In September 1972. he was transferred to the F-14 fleet replacement squadron, Fighter Squadron 124. at NAS Miramar. California. He joined Fighter Squadron Two in October 1973 and served as maintenance officer and operations officer. In May 1975. he was again transferred to Fighter Squadron 124. where he served initially as an instructor and later as administrative officer, operations officer, and finally, executive officer. In September 1978. he reported as executive officer for Fighter Squadron 51 and assumed command of the Screaming Eagles in February 1980. In July 1981. he was assigned to Commander Carrier Strike Force Seventh Fleet as air operations and plans officer. In May 1982. he was transferred to Fighter Squadron 124 and assumed command in July 1982. Captain Norris reported to USS Kitty Hawk in February 1984 and served as executive officer. Captain Norris has been awarded three Meritorious Service Medals, five Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, one Navy Achievement Medal with combat V. Navy Expeditionary Medal. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal. National Defense Medal. South Vietnamese Air Gal- lantry Cross. Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Service Medal for the Vietnam Conflict. Captain Norris is married to the former Kay Ann Johnson of Pensacola. Florida. They have two daughters; Shelly Lynn and Mary Allison. Former Executive Officer Captain Robert E. Kordalski Captain Robert E. Kordalski is a native of Salem, Massachusetts, and attendedthe University of North Carolina, from which he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1961. Under the Aviation Officer Candidate Program, Captain Kor- dalski entered flight training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensa- cola, Florida, and was commissioned an ensign on June 26, 1961. He was designated a naval aviator on August 8, 1962. Captain Kordalski ' s initial sea tour was in VAW-11 at NAS ■ North Island, San Diego, California, where he flew the EA-IE Guppy Skyraider and the E-2A Hawkeye aircraft. He was then assigned to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, where he served as RATTC watch officer and officer-in-charge of RATTC No. 13, fol- lowed by duty on USS Saratoga as the assistant air operations officer. After completing refresher training in the E-2B aircraft, he reported to VAW-126 where he served as safety officer, mainte- nance officer, executive officer and commanding officer. Under his command, VAW-126 made the maiden deployment of the E-2C air- craft to the Western Pacific aboard USS Constellation. Following his tour in VAW-126, Captain Kordalski reported to Commander Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing 12 at NAS Norfolk, Virgi- ni a, as the chief staff officer. He reported aboard USS Kitty Hawk on June 2, 1982, following a tour of duty as commanding officer of RVAW-110 at NAS Miramar, California. Captain Kordalski ' s sea duty includes deployments aboard USS Kearsarge, USS Saratoga, USS Forrestal, USS America and USS Constellation. Captain Kordalski is a graduate of the Naval War College and the National War College. He has also earned a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. He is married to the former Sheila Jones of Danvers, Massachu- setts, and has three children; Kimberly, Kendra and Mark.

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Western Pacific Departure Saying goodbye is never easy. Thousands learned that firsthand on that overcast Friday the 13th. The pier was lined with family, friends and well-wishers despite that cool January breeze. The crew busied itself with a massive onload of goods. Their feelings were often a mixture of sad- ness for their fa milies and excitement for the adventures which lay ahead. Kisses for a lifetime were had everywhere. Tearful women wished their husbands, boyfriends and sons well. Fathers shook hands with pride. Children gripped tightly with love and admiration while trying to understand exactly what all the commotion was all about. The night preceding departure, working parties con- tinued an onload of aircraft, support equipment and supp- lies. Cranes shuttled enough pallets to rival the preparations made by Noah. The long voyage ahead would require a ready supply. From the starboard edges of the flight deck, hangar bay and catwalks, crew members flocked for a final, lasting wave or glimpse to carry with them. What was ahead, who could say? The times ahead prom- ised adventure and tales of Kitty Hawk ' s exploits would one day return home to loved ones. Sadness was set aside pursu- ing a performance filled with pride. The training and prep- arations were over. We had deployed for WestPac!