Previously Held NEC IC-0000-Interior Communications Electrician
IC-4774-MK NC-2 MOD 2/2A Plotting/MK 9 MOD 0/2 DRAI Technician
IC-4721-Gyrocompass Systems Maintenance Technician
NC-9502-Instructor
Retired from Active Service in 1994. Went to work with the American Red Cross Disaster Services in Port St. Lucie, Florida as a Disaster Coordinator. Transferred to Shrewsbury, New Jersey as a Disaster Director later that year. In 2000 transferred to San Bernardino California as an Emergency Services Director and then finished my career in 2005 in Palm Springs, California. One of my childhood dreams was to drive a big-rig truck, so went to truck driving school in Fontana, CAl and got my commercial drivers license. Went to work with SWIFT Transportation as an over-the-road trucker covering all 48 states and Canada. Moved to Shreveport LA in 2006 and transferred my dispatch yard to Dallas TX (Still driving with SWIFT). In 2007 had to quit doing that due to medical problems. Finally, retired for good that year. In 2013 went back to work as a Building Supervisor for Electsolve INC. The company was sold to IPKeys and I began working as a Facility Manager for Excentul Facilities and Services, where I am still working today.
Other Comments:
I was a "kiddy cruizer" so was discharged the day before my 21st birthday (19 April 1967). Worked for Pacific Gas and Electric in Hayward, California. Went back into the service in October 1967. Requested Swift Boats and got the Kitty Hawk instead. In October 1969 left the Navy for civilian life. Got a job with Pacific Telephone in Livermore, California as a cable splicer. In 1971 transfered to Pacific Northwest Bell in Portland Oregon. Transfered back to Pacific Telephone in Fresno, California in 1974. Left the phone company in 1977. Pretty much rode my motorcycle and partied until 1980 when I went back into the Navy and finished my career.
Description New massive U.S. war games involving some 30,000 military personnel from all service branches officially got under way today with planned operations that included the evacuation of 300 people from Guantanamo.
The war games, code named 'Ocean Venture,' are being staged in the Caribbean, Florida Straits and Gulf of Mexico and include the aircraft carrier America and supporting ships and Navy, Army and Air Force aircraft of all types.
A Pentagon spokesman said the maneuvers have no connection with current developments in Central America and the Caribbean and that the exercise has been in the planning stage since late 1982.
The Pentagon said Ocean Venture, which will run through May 6 at a cost of some $25 million, 'is designed to demonstrate and improve the capability of the United States to protect and maintain the free use of the sea lines of communication in the Caribbean Basin and the Gulf of Mexico.'
The maneuvers, a Pentagon statement said, also will 'enhance the perception of the capability of the United States to project military power when necessary and to protect our national interests by supporting our friendly neighbors in the Caribbean Basin.'
All aspects of conventional warfare will be employed, the Pentagon said, including naval battle group operations, maritime air operations, Navy-Marine Corps amphibious operations, Army airborne, air assault and conventional ground operations and Air Force strategic airlift, conventional bombing, reconnaissance and tactical air support.
Units of the Puerto Rican Army and Air National Guards also will take part.
The exercise features an amphibious land and air assault operation April 30 on Veiques island off Puerto Rico, which has been used during previous exercises.
Military reinforcements will be sent to Guantanamo for a defense exercise at the base. Under a 1934 U.S.-Cuban treaty, which Fidel Castro has tried to repudiate since he came to power, the United States has a perpetual lease on the island.
Guantanamo's normal base population is about 6,400, including 2,500 U.S. military personnel, 2,100 dependents and 1,800 civilian contract workers from the United States and Jamaica.
About 300 dependents of Guantanamo military personnel, on a voluntary basis, will be evacuated by air transport May 3 to the Naval Air Station at Jacksonville, Fla., as part of the exercise. They will return May 6.
A similar evacuation, involving about 250 dependents, was staged in 1982.
Ocean Venture is the latest in a continuing series of military exercises in the Caribbean area that began last summer.
U.S. Marines and Army personnel have been working with Honduran Army units, including realistic amphibious landings operations earlier this year on Honduras's northern Caribbean coast.
There are about 1,700 U.S. military personnel in Honduras who remained after the most recent war games. In addition some 55 U.S. military advisers are stationed in El Salvador.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
April / 1982
To Month/Year
May / 1982
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories DDG-46 Operated with USS America Battle Group
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