The Sullivans (DDG 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDER WADE F. WILKE COMMANDING OFFICER CDecember 11, 2004 - Present5 Commander Wilkenson attended Northwestern University through the NROTC Scholarship Program and graduated in , 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering. F. Following commissioning he reported to USS LYNDE MCCORMICK CDDG 85, serving as Machinery Division Officer, Gunnery Officer, and then as Navigator. He made two Western Pacific deployments and participated in Operation Praying Mantis, the 18 April 1988 retaliatory strike against Iranian oil platforms and naval assets following the mining of USS SAMUELB. ROBERTS CFFG 585. Next, Commander Wilkenson attended the Naval Postgraduate School, enrolling in the Weapons Systems Science Curriculum. He conducted research in Free Electron Lasers, and in June 1993 graduated with distinction, earning a Master's degree in Physics. From May 1994 through November 1997, Commander Wilkenson served consecutive sea tours as Chief Engineer in USS KLAKRING CFFG 425 and in USS BARRY QDDG 525, each including a Mediterranean deployment. In 1996, BARRY received the BATTENBURG CUP for the finest ship in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the Golden Anchor Award for best people programs, and the USS Arizona Memorial Trophy for best overall fleet combat readiness. Commander Wilkenson was next assigned as the Second Tour Division Officer Detailer in the Surface Warfare Assignment Branch at the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. From April 2000 through August 2001, Commander Wilkenson served as Executive Officer in USS GETTYSBURG CCG 645, deploying to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the ENTERPRISE Battle Group. Commander Wilkenson most recently served as Analyst and was Executive Assistant for Director, Assessment Division! Capabilities Analysis Group CN81!NO0X5 on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon. Commander Wilkenson assumed command of USS THE SULLIVAN S CDDG 685 in December 2004. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal ffive awards5, Navy Achievement Medal Cthree awards5, Combat Action Ribbon, and various campaign and service awards. He is an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Program.

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CGM A DER RICHARD . BROW COMMANDING OFFICER fMarch 21, 2003 - December 11 20045 lf Commander Brown is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1981 and eamed a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics upon graduation in 1985. After completing the basic course at the Surface Warfare Officers' School in Newport, Rhode Island, he reported to USS CHARLES F. ADAMS CDDG 25 where he served as Damage Control Assistant and Navigator. During this tour, he qualified as Surface Warfare Officer and completed deployments to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic. In December 1988, Commander Brown reported to Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group TWELVE as Flag Lieutenant. During this tour of duty, he completed a Mediterranean Deployment while the staff was embarked in USS EISENHOWER CCVN 695. In June 1990, Commander Brown reported to the Naval Post Graduate School and earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research. Upon graduation from the Surface Warfare Department Head course in June 1993, Commander Brown reported to USS OBANNON CDD 9875 as Operations Officer. In August 1995, he reported to USS LEYTE GULF CCG 555 as Operations Officer. LEYTE GULF served as the Air Warfare Commander for the THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Grou durin her P 8 Mediterranean Deployment from November 1996 to May 1997. In August 1997, Commander Brown reported to the Naval War College and eamed a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Following assignment to the Naval War College, Commander Brown served as Executive Officer in USS MAHAN QDDG 725 from November 1998 to February 2000. He then served as Flag Secretary for the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic! Commander in Chief, United States Joint Forces Command from February 2000 to July 2002. Commander Brown assumed command of USS THE SULLIVANS CDDG 685 in March 2003. Commander Brown's personal awards include the Defense M . . . . . eritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals.

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LIEUTEN NT COMMANDER WYATT CHIDE TER EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Chidester was commissioned via the Limited Duty Officer program in 1991 and subsequently approved for lateral conversion to the Unrestricted Line Community in 1996. From January of 1991 to July 1996, Lieutenant Commander Chidester served consecutive CIC Officer tours aboard USS GRIDLEY CCG 215 where he attained his Surface Warfare Qualification, and USS CHANCELLORSVILLE CCG 625 completing two Middle East Force deployments to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. From August 1996 to June 1998 he served as Assistant Surface Operations and Theater Missile Defense Officer on the staff of the Command-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe in London, England. Upon graduation from the Surface Warfare Department Head course in February 1999, Lieutenant Commander Chidester served consecutive Operations Officer tours in USS CARNEY QDDG 645 and USS GETTYSBURG CCG645 from May 1999 to May 2002, completing two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea in support of USS JOHN F. KENNEDY and USS ENTER- PRISE Battle Group operations. In June 2002, Lieutenant Commander Chidester reported to United States Southern Command, Miami, Florida and served as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Operations until April 2004. Lieutenant Commander Chidester assumed duties as the Executive Officer, USS THE SULLIVANS CDDG 685 in July 2004. Lieutenant Commander Chidester's personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy!Marine Corps Commendation Medal C8 awards5, Navy! Marine Corps Achievement Medal C2 awards5, and Good Conduct Medal C3 awards5.