Ranger (CV 61) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS ADM CARLISLE A.II. T ROST N. V

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COMMANDER SEVE TH FLEET VADM PAUL D. MILLER I 'i I ,I 16 DISTINGUISHED VISITOR r n I 1 1 1 I up-L. il

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CO DER, CARRIER GRO P O E ' - I lr ' lil - tug I!! ' :lr 115535,-5.1 E . COMMANDER, CARRIER GROUP ONE REAR ADMIRAL ANTHONY A. LESS, USN Rear Admiral Anthony A. Less was bonr in Salem, Ohio on .31 August 1957. He en- tered the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate Program upon graduation from Heidle- berg College in Tiffin, Ohio and was com- missioned an Ensign in April 1960. He eamed his Naval Aviator's wings in June 1961. After attending Aviation Maintenance Offi- cer's school in Memphis, Tennessee, Rear Admiral Less mas assigned to Attack Squadron 86, flying the A-4 Skyhamk air- craft and deployed aboard USS INDEPEN- DENCE tCVA621. His next assignment was to Attack Squadron 44 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, as an A-1 Skyhawk weapons instructor. ln 1966, Rear Admiral Less was chosen as one of the initial cadre of instructor pilots in Attack Squadron 1 74 introducing the A- 7 Corsair aircraft into the Navy. This was followed by a Vietnam combat tour, flying the A-7 with Attack Squadron 105 from the decks of USS KITTY HAWK tCVA-631. Shore duty followed in 1969 when he was ordered to the Bureau of Na val Personnel where he served as an Aviation Assign- ment Otficen During this toun he was se- lected for command of an operational air- craft squadron. Ile reported as Executive Officer and later' took command of Attack Squadron 12, fly ing the A-7 Corsair ll air- craft. ln November 1975, Rear Admiral Less re- poned to NAS Pensacola, Florida, where he became the Hrst leader and first Com- manding Officer of the newly commis- sioned Navy Flight Demonstration Squad- ron, The Blue Angels. In February 1976, he commenced training in each of the air- craft that comprised Carrier Air Wing NINE, the nation 's most modem Air Wing at that time. He assumed command ofthe Wing in August 1976, ln January 1978, he reported to Washington, D. C. to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare. ln November 1979, Rear Admiral Less as- sumed command of the replenishment oiler USS WICHITA lAOR-11 in which he completed a deployment to the SEVENTH Fleet, operating in the Westem Pacific and Indian Oceans. He reported in August 1981 as Executive Assistant and Senior Aide to Commander in Chielf U.S. Pacific Fleet, in Honolulu, Hauaii. He assumed command of USS RANGER tCV-611 in June 1982 and again ,complet- ed an extended deployment to the SEV- ENTH Fleet, operating in the Westem Pa- cific and Indian Oceans. Rear Admiral 18 COMMANDER CARRIER GROUP ONE Less was assigned as Chief of Staff to Commander, SEVENTH Fleet, in August 198.3 and was selected to Rear Admiral during that tour. ln March 1985, he report- ed to the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served as the Deputy Director for Politica- Military Affairs in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate until July 1987. In Au- gust 1987, Rear Admiral Less reported aboard his flagship, the USS RANGER f C V- 61 1, where he serves as Commander, Car- rier Group ONE. RearAdmiral Less is married to the former Leanne Carol Kuhl of Memphis, Tennes- see. They have four daughters - Robyn tMrs. Paul Mongerl, Pam tMrs. Chris Maxeyl, Tracy, and Christy. I . - -- -.- . Mc. .., . .. Y. H-.. .A -- . S- ..,.. ,LA 1 ,- .., .,,.,,, ...,,,.,.'.,.,, ,,,,,,.,u.,,:.r,.-.K W,.k,. cmwrir Q,i,,.,, .,:Sx::.,.,,: K 4. y Y 5 r U K' H - - -- - -- H v - -. . . .,.....-.., . ' ' ' ' . Jan- .. 1-' - -. ,, -., , , ' , , . ,, :Kali-Iwi-41-ann-..,..........,s. .