Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commandzng Ojfcer Born ln Savannah Ga and a graduate of Vlrgmla Military Institute Capt Thomas Parker was commissioned an Ensign ln January 1976 after complet1ngAvlat1on Officer Candidate School CAOCS1 m Pensacola, Fla After completmg VT-10 ln Pensacola he was then assigned to RVAW-120 ln Norfolk Va to fly the E-2C Hawkeye He was designated a Naval F hght Officer ln February 1977 He reported to VAW-123 m July 1977 and served ln both Maintenance and Operations Departments while deployed on board USS Saratoga CCV 601 After completmg a tour as an mstructor at RVAW-120 m Norfolk, he was assigned to the staff of Commander Crulser Destroyer Squadron 8 m Norfolk as AAW Officer and Force Tact1calAct1on Officer CTAO1 ln June 1983 taking part ln the liberation of Grenada and the capture of the Achllle Lauro hlj ackers In November 1985 Capt Parker reported to the staff of Commander Naval Alr Force Atlantic Fleet ln Norfolk as the Carrier Combat Informatlon Center CCDC1 training officer During tlus tour he earned a Master s Degree ln International Studies from Old Domlmon Unlverslty In August 1988 Capt Parker jolned the Flghtm' Bltm' Steelj aws of VAW 122 ln USS Forrestal CCV 591 serving as Admin, Operations and Maintenance officers In October 1990, he reported as Executive Officer to the Beat Aces of VAW 124 assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt CCVN 711, and took part ln Operation Desert Storm assuming dutles of Commanding Officer m April 1992 Selected for a Federal Executive Fellowship Capt. Parker was asslgned to the RAND Corporanon m Santa MODICZ, Cahf from July 1993 to August 1994 Capt Parker returned to Norfolk to serve as the Operations Officer on board USS America QCV 661 until October 1995 taklng part ln combat operations ln the Balkans He reported next to Washington, D C sevmg as the Tact1calA1rcraft Analyst ln the Secretary ofthe Navy s Office of Program Appraisal COPA1 unnl selected for major command Reporting to USS Belleau Wood fLHA 31 ln Saseabo, Japan, as Executive Officer ln 1998 he assumed command of Belleau Wood in April 1999 Belleau Wood was awarded the Marjorie Sterrntt Trophy as the best shlp ln the Pacific Fleet durmg hls tenure m command After successful completion ofthe Navy s largest and most successful hull swap to date Capt Parker assumed command of USS Essex fLHA 21 ln Sasebo, Japan, ln July 2000 Next assigned to United States Space Command CUSSPACECOM1 ln Colorado Springs Colo Capt Parker served as Delta Crew Command Dlrector asslgned to Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center CCMOC1 and as Vice Director for Plans CJSV1 at HQ USSPACECOM at Peterson AFB In Februarv 2003 Capt Parker reported to USS Kitty Hawk LCV 631, operating out of Yokosuka, Japan to assume duties as Commanding Officer, leadmg the Battle Cat throughout Operation Iraql Freedom Capt Parker has logged more than 3,500 hours and 650 arrested landings ln the E 2C Hawkeve Capt Parker's decoratlons mclude the Defense Superior Servlce Medal Leglon of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal ffour awards1, Str1kelFl1ghtA1r Medal ftwo awards1, Navy Commendation Medal ffive awards one with combat V 1, and various umt citations campaign medals and service ribbons

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Executive jjicer Cmdr. Gary Norm! Peterson is a native of Beaverton, Ore., and a graduate ofthe University of Oregon. He entered the Navy through Aviation Officer Candidate School, and after earning his wings as a Naval Flight Officer, he reported to VA-128 to become a Bombardier!Navigator in the A-6E Intruder. In 1985, Cmdr. Peterson reported to VA-115 on board USS MIDWAY CCV 411, forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. While with the f'Eagles he held various billets and was selected Bombardier!Navigator of the Year in 1988. Cmdr. Peterson returned to VA-128, serving as systems weapons and visual weapons phase head, and was selected Bombardier!Navigator Instructor of the Year in 1990. In 1991 he reported to VA-52, where he served as safety officer and quality assurance officer. While with the Knightriders, Cmdr. Peterson participated in combat strikes in Southern Iraq from the deck of USS KITTY HAWK CCV 631. In 1992, he was selected by Commander, Naval Air Forces U.S. Pacific Fleet, for the Association of Naval Aviation Tactical Aviation Award. In 1994, Cmdr. Peterson earned a master's degree in national security and strategic studies, graduating with highest distinction from the College of Naval Command and Staff in Newport, R.I. He then reported to VAQ-129 to qualify in the EA-6B Prowler., . He served in VAQ-130 from 1995 to 1997 as maintenance, operations, administration and electronic warfare department head. In August through October 1995, he flew combat sorties over Bosnia during Operation DELIBERATE FORCE. After his tour with the Zappers,', he reported to Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Serving as operations officer, he was an integral part of the planning and execution of the first land-based expeditionary deployments by four new Prowler squadrons. In 1998, Cmdr. Peterson was selected to attend Harvard University and subsequently earned a master's degree in public administration. He reported to VAQ-137 as executive officer in January 2000, and was commanding officer from April 2001 to August 2002. Cmdr. Peterson led the Rooks flying 254 combat missions from USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT CCVN 719 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, during a record 159 continuous days at sea. The Rocks earned the Battle E, Radford Award, Safety S, Prowler Tactical Squadron of the Year, and CINCPACFLT Retention awards for CY 2001. In February 2003, Cmdr. Peterson reported to USS KITTY HAWK, operating out of Yokosuka, Japan, as executive officer. Cmdn Peterson has accumulated more than 4,400 flight hours and more than 1,030 carrier arrestments.