Ponce (LPD 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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 Enjoying the steel beach picnic. Speaking on the IMC, keeping the attaining and goals imposed onboard Ponce. Re-enlistment September 21. 20()1. Hard at work preparing for another port visit Valleta. Malta. CMDAAC 7

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COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDMC (SW AW NAC) RICHARD P. NEAL Master Chief Neal enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 03 September 1979 after graduation from Madison Comprehensive High School. Mansfield. Ohio. Following recruit training in Great Lakes. Illinois, he successfully completed Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics). Naval Aircrew Candidate, and Aviation Rescue Swimmer schools prior to his first assignment at NAS Jacksonville. Air Operations Maintenance Department. While at Jacksonville from 1980 to 19S4. he qualified as an H-3 helicopter aircrew man and rescue swimmer. In 1984. he reported to HELSUPPRON SIXTEEN (HC-16). Pensacola. Florida, after completing 11-46 aircrew vertical replenishment training. While at HC-16 from 1984 to 1990. he served as crew chief in the H-46, H-3. and H-l helicopters. He was selected for Chief Petty Officer in 1988. In 1990. he reported for duty at HELSUPPRON TWO (HC-2). Norfolk. Virginia. While at HC-2. he served as Detachment One Chief Petty Officer for one tour in Naples. Italy in support of COMSIX'I'HFLT operations. He completed two tours as Detachment Two Chief Petty Officer with the world famous Desert Ducks in Manama. Bahrain in support of COMUSNAVCENT operations. After being selected for Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1993. he reported to HELANTISUBRON ONE (HS-1), Jacksonville. Florida. Here, he served the U.S. Navy's aviation and surface fleet as the Chief of Naval Operations Search and Rescue Model Manager (SARMM) Senior Enlisted Advisor. While with the CNO SARMM at HS-1. he and his enlisted staff implemented numerous initiatives that improved Navy SAR mission readiness fleet wide. Upon reporting back for duty at HC-2 in 1997. he was selected for Master Chief Petty Officer and the Command Master Chief Program. In 1998 lie successfully completed the Senior Enlisted Academy and reported for duty on board USS PONCE (I.PI) 15) for his initial Command Master Chief tour. Today, he serves with the Navy’s finest crew and amphibious ship in the fleet. Master Chief Neal’s decorations include: Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w ith two gold stars: Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, and Naval Aircrew Designations: and various unit and service medals. The most fortunate enlisted man onboard USS Fonce, to be working with the Navy finest crew, and amphibious ship. 6 CMDMC

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MARG 2001 DEPARTURE NORFOLK, VA. AND ENROUTE MOOREHEAD CITY, N. C. FOR EMBARK. 0700 April 25, 2001 PONCE once again began her deployment on a rain day morning. Families and friends had come to the pier on this wet, windy, better sweet day, to make another precious memory for their sailor to pack in his or her sea bag, for them to carry home. One more kiss... One more hug... One more smile and a wave. . . as oathe and obligation became service and sacrifice. Capable and confident, PONCE shifts colors and gets sail on a mission that will take them half way around the world. Whispered promises are tele graphed between the ship and the pier. “ I’ll meet you here in six months...” Chaplain Jamas Johnson It. USN