Long Beach (CGN 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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RAYNOR A. K. TAYLOR COMMANDER, U.S. NAVAL FORCES CENTRAL COMMAND COMMANDER, MIDDLE EAST FORCE Rear Admiral Taylor was born in New Bedford. Massachusetts. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1960 and reported to USS ABBOT (DD 629) in Newport, Rhode Island. Duty aboard USS ABBOT included operations in the Arctic and Mediterranean, with CENTO Forces in the Indian Ocean and participation on the Cuban missile crisis and quarantine operations. He then served in the Sur- face Nuclear Power Program at the DIG Project. In 1966, he was assigned as Engineer Officer, USS HOEL (DDG 13) out of San Diego and participated in gunline operations in Southeast Asia. In 1967 he was selected as a Navy Olmsted Scholar. This tour included studies at the University of Gren- bole in France and the American University in Wash- ington, D.C. He was awarded a French Diplome d ' Etat with distinction and a Master of Arts in International Studies. Rear Admiral Taylor then assumed duties as Main Propulsion Assistant, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), which included nuclear refueling and subsequent deployment to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. In 1972 he reported to USS HALSEY (CON 23) as Executive Officer and participated in HALSEY ' s commissioning in Bath, Maine, and deployment to the Pacific. Duty in HALSEY included implementation of the first shipwide Combat Systems organization. He then served in Washington, D.C as Head, Surface Nuclear Power Branch in the Bureau of Naval Person- nel. He assumed command of USS SEMMES (DDG 18) in 1977 and deployed to the Mediterranean. In 1980, he assumed command of USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN 40), MISSISSIPPI ' S operations included two carrier battle group deployments and the ship was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Old Crow Awards, the Sixth Fleet Top Hand Award and the Atlantic Fleet Batten- burg Trophy. He then served ashore as Commanding Officer, Surface Warfare Officers School Command where he was selected for Flag Rank. Then, as COM- CRUDESGRU ONE, Rear Admiral Taylor command- ed the NEW JERSEY Battle Group (Battle Group Romeo), the Navy ' s first modern-era battleship group, during deployment to the Western and Northern Pacif- ic. He then deployed the MISSOURI Battle Group to the Far East whence he was assigned as Director of Joint Operations (J3) of the U.S. Europe and Com- mand in Stuttgart, Federal Republic of Germany. Rear Admiral Taylor then served as the Deputy Assistant to the CNO, Surface Warfare (OP-03B) in Washington, D.C. prior to being assigned as Commander, Middle East Force in February 1991. At the end of hostilities during Operation Desert Storm, Rear Admiral Taylor assumed the responsibilities of Commander, U.S. Naval Force Central Command. Rear Admiral Taylor ' s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with three gold stars. Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and other military decorations. Rear Admiral Taylor is married to the former Mary Jane Stevens of Newport News, Virginia. They have two sons, Ra ynor and Andrew.

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MMCM(SW) DONALD J. SPRINGER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) Master Chief Springer was born in Coos Bay, Ore- gon. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1965 and received Basic Training at San Diego, California. He reported aboard USS TICONDEROGA (CVA 14) where he was advanced to Machinist ' s Mate Third Class in July 1969. He reenlisted aboard TICON- DEROGA, and then transferred to Service School Command, Naval Training Command, San Diego. Fol- lowing rate training, he reported aboard USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13) in March 1970. where he achieved the rate of Machinist ' s Mate Second Class. A tour of duty at Naval Station San Diego, from Febru- ary 1972 to May 1974 led him to USS TOWERS (DDG 9) where he reenlisted and was advanced to Machinist ' s Mate First Class, he served in USS DEN- VER (LPD 9) from May 1975 to June 1979. There he achieved the rate of Machinist ' s Mate Chief and also qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. Master Chief Springer served at Fleet Training Group, San Diego from July 1979 to June 1982, where he reenlist- ed, and advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. He then reported to the Navy Management Systems Sup- port Office Detachment Pacific, where he advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer on 16 June 1985. He served in USS ALAMO (LSD 13) as Command Mas- ter Chief until December 1988, and reported to USS HOEL (DDG 13) in January 1989 as Command Mas- ter Chief. He departed USS HOEL (DDG 13) in July 1990, and reported to SIMA, San Diego as Command Master Chief. Master Chief. Springer departed SIMA, San Diego July 1991 and reported to USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) as Command Master Chief. Master Chief Springer wears the Navy Commenda- tion Medal with gold star. Navy Achievement Medal with gold star. National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal (six awards). Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, and various cam- paign and service medals. Master Chief Springer is married to the former Christine Elizabeth Ward of Flint, Michigan and resides in San Diego, California. They have two daughters, Michell Lee and Jill Elizabeth.