Nimitz (CVN 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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, za Executive Officer USS January 96 Q Commander Eric C. Neidlinger Commander Eric Neidlinger, born in San Diego, California, entered the United States Naval Academy in 1972. He received his commission as an Ensign in June 1976, and reported to Fighter Squadron Forty-Three for further assignment to Eight training at NAS Pensacola in November 1976. He was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1977, and M NAS Qwarria, for training in the F-14 Tomcat . In March 1979, he reported to Fighter Squadron Forty-One, embarlted on board USS In January 1982, Commander Neidlinger reported for training at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot Wheel at Edwards AFB, California. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California. lWlii.le at C, lie was assigned to the Advanced Common Intercept Missile Demonstration project and performed Weapons and software tests with the F!Af18 Hornet . In November 1985, Commander Neidlinger was assigned to Fighter Squadron Fourteen at Oceana, Virginia. During this tour, he was assigned as Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer, deploying on USS J DY QICV' 575. after temporary duty on the staff of Commander, Fighter Wing One, he was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadmn Four, NAS Point Mugu, California in October 1988. While at VX-4, he performed operational testing of the T-45 'Gtoshawk ,, Fel , and initial evaluation ofthe Navy Advanced Tactical FighterfF-22 Lightning ll. He was eventually assigned as Omcer. ln December 1990, he reported for duty to Fighter Squadron One Hundred Two as Executive Officer, and assumed edmmand of the Diamondbacks in February 1992. During his tour with VF-102, he deployed on board USS America HCV fouredmbat in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 9 Commander Neidlinger reported to OPNAV .as F-14 Requirements Officer in April 1993. In June 1999, Commander Neidlinger was selected to participate in the Navy's Nuclear Power Program. He reported to the Navy Nu Fewer Training Command, Orlando, Florida, in April 1994, and, upon successful completion of 20 months of training, reportm onboard USS NIMITZ as Executive Officer in January 1996. itti f ' Over the length of his career, Commander Neidlinger has accumulated 3,500 Bight hours and S50 landings in Over 30 types of military aircraft. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with old star the Air l Q Combat MVH, two Strike-Flight Air Medals and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and two gold stars. Commander Neidlinger is married to the former Vicky Voigt of Owatonna, Minnesota. They have two children, Ryan and Erik. s . a with

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N sg . Command Master Chief USS NIMITZ EMCMCSSP Stephen Hillis WSF Master Chief Stephen R. Hillis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene W. Hillis, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 5, 1952. He is limi: a graduate ofthe class of 1970 from Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City, and of Southern Illinois University where Lllirfgi he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Nllllli Master Chief Hillis enlisted in the Navy in June of 1970 and attended boot camp in San Diego. After attending Interior HM Communication A School, he reported to his first ship, USS TRIPOLI CLPH 105, homeported in San Diego. From there he attended sasigl Nuclear Power School at Mare Island, California, and Nuclear Power Training Unit at Idaho Falls, Idaho. 'hell Following these tours the Master Chief went to the first of five submarines that he served on during his career. These ships ' have been homeported at Bangor, Washington, Groton, Connecticut, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 1. Dm. 67115 Superintendent at Trident Refit Facility Bangor, Washington. YASPY gndljll and his second as the CMC of Submarine Squadron Seventeen homeported at Submarine Base Bangor. Master Chief Hillis has had two shore tours, one a recruiting tour in Minneapolis, Minnesota and one as the Senior Ship The USS NIMITZ is the Master Chiefs third Command Master Chief tour with his first as COB ofthe USS OHIO CSSBN 7265 Dem? Master Chief Hillis' personal decorations and awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation 1d Ufl W ' Expert Rifleman Medal, and the Expert Pistol Shot Medal. mmani Master Chief Hillis maintains a home in Silverdale, Washington and Twin Falls, Idaho. f Trai gllll xgilll at ax' V l 1 XX 1 x l .X l Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals, three Meritorious Unit Citations, two Battle E Awards, six Good Conduct awards, the National Defense Medal, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Navy Recruiting Ribbon, Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon . 'X f X I lr- . 7 'zz V w