Commander Rogers in Navy Uniform Oct 1995
Photo Gallery
Junior Officer Years
During the summer of 1959, my family spent a week at a beach house at Balboa with the Bergmans. Bert Bergman told us about a Navy helicopter flying low along the beach around 6 AM, so my brothers and I rose early the next few days to watch the Navy chopper fly by. On our last day the pilot and a crewman waved to us as they passed by! From that moment forward I had my heart set on becoming a naval aviator! This shows the same type of chopper and paint scheme: a Sikorsky HSS-1N Seabat from HS-
During the summer of 1959, my family spent a week at a beach house at Balboa with the Bergmans. Bert Bergman told us about a Navy helicopter flying low along the beach around 6 AM, so my brothers and I rose early the next few days to watch the Navy chopper fly by. On our last day the pilot and a crewman waved to us as they passed by! From that moment forward I had my heart set on becoming a naval aviator! This shows the same type of chopper and paint scheme: a Sikorsky HSS-1N Seabat from HS-
With my daughter Beckie in front of Bancroft Hall at the Naval Academy on July 26, 1986. 7-year old Beckie was the “Belle of the Ball” at the Officer’s Club later that evening; the only kid present and having herself a wonderful time. It had a lasting impact. Today she is a Naval intelligence officer!
During the summer of 1959, my family spent a week at a beach house at Balboa with the Bergmans. Bert Bergman told us about a Navy helicopter flying low along the beach around 6 AM, so my brothers and I rose early the next few days to watch the Navy chopper fly by. On our last day the pilot and a crewman waved to us as they passed by! From that moment forward I had my heart set on becoming a naval aviator! This shows the same type of chopper and paint scheme: a Sikorsky HSS-1N Seabat from HS-
Carrier Service
My first aboard ship duty was TDY in the Carrier Intelligence Center (CVIC) aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-65) when she was based out of NAS Alameda with Carrier Air Wing 11 embarked in 1987 and 1988. The Enterprise was our first nuclear-powered carrier, commissioned in 1961. At 1,101 feet, she remains the longest carrier ever built, though less displacement than the newer Nimitz class carriers.
This shows the propulsion end of the Enterprise, revealed in dry dock at Hunter’s Point. The four five-bladed screws can develop up to 280,000 shaft horsepower, capable of propelling the ship at speeds up to 36 knots. Submariners loved to relate the story about how the Enterprise tried to masquerade as a merchant ship during one exercise, by only running two of her four screws. The sub’s sonar operators soon saw through the ruse by evaluating the blade rates, ascertaining that they were being
In the fall of 1990 the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) transited around the Horn of South America on her way to the Pacific Fleet. This view shows “sea smoke”, evaporation fog formed when very cold air drifts over comparatively warm sea water. I developed a dBASE program for the Lincoln to help them manage classified documents after they arrived at NAS Alameda.
My first aboard ship duty was TDY in the Carrier Intelligence Center (CVIC) aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-65) when she was based out of NAS Alameda with Carrier Air Wing 11 embarked in 1987 and 1988. The Enterprise was our first nuclear-powered carrier, commissioned in 1961. At 1,101 feet, she remains the longest carrier ever built, though less displacement than the newer Nimitz class carriers.
Battleship Service
One of our P-3Bs overflying the Admiral Ushakov, the lead unit of four nuclear-powered 24,500 ton Kirov class battlecruisers completed by the Soviets between 1980 and 1996. Our four Iowa class battleships were taken out of mothballs, modernized, and recommissioned between 1982 and 1988 in response to these behemoths.
Aerial oblique view of the New Jersey firing three of her 16 inch guns (one from each turret) simultaneously, after being recommissioned for an unprecedented fourth time in December 1982. Every Naval officer wanted to get a closer look at the old battleships. I was fortunate to have actually gotten aboard the Missouri for a short stint.
Turrets 1 and 2 firing simultaneously. Note the 16 inch projectile just emerging from the barrel of the closest rifle! This was taken from the forecastle (foc’sul) looking aft.
One of our P-3Bs overflying the Admiral Ushakov, the lead unit of four nuclear-powered 24,500 ton Kirov class battlecruisers completed by the Soviets between 1980 and 1996. Our four Iowa class battleships were taken out of mothballs, modernized, and recommissioned between 1982 and 1988 in response to these behemoths.
Tactical Training Team
The Tactical Training Team of Commander Patrol Wings Pacific was an elite group of antisubmarine warfare experts selected from VP-31, the Pacific P-3 Fleet Replenishment Squadron. Our job was to teach graduate-level ASW tactics to fleet operators. I became the team's first assigned intelligence officer in October 1987.
This was TTT’s unofficial logo, which hung on the back side of our office door in the FASO spaces of Hangar One at Moffett Field.
The Aussies also fly P-3 Orion aircraft and we had an exchange program with them at VP-31. We also flew patrol missions with the Aussies out of RAAF Butterworth in Malaysia. The Aussie’s maritime patrol wings were headquartered in Perth. Whenever we had a trip to Perth I would be asked to set up a “World War II remembrance tour” as we passed through the South Pacific going and coming (we had to make stops for fuel anyway). So, I was able to visit most of the islands where the principal battles
The Tactical Training Team of Commander Patrol Wings Pacific was an elite group of antisubmarine warfare experts selected from VP-31, the Pacific P-3 Fleet Replenishment Squadron. Our job was to teach graduate-level ASW tactics to fleet operators. I became the team's first assigned intelligence officer in October 1987.
Flying P-3 Orions
The P-3 Orion is a four jet turboprop aircraft made by Lockheed for the Navy, beginning in the early 1960s. It is named Orion for the mythical hunter of the same name. The Orion could remain aloft for up to 19 hours without refueling. We normally carried three pilots, who exchanged seats every four hours.
The P-3 Orion underwent near-continuous upgrades to keep pace with advancing sensor technology. When I came to the Black Lightnings (VP-31) they were flying TP-3As’, P-3Bs, P-3 Charlie baselines (shown here), Charlie Update Is, Updates II’s and Update III’s.
The Patron Master Augment Unit at NAS Moffett Field, just before we were disestablished in late 1991. VP-MAU was a novel concept in the reserve force, augmenting active duty units wherever they needed help. I was proud to be a part of this elite unit who was working at the cutting edge of Navy VP operations, not just collecting pay to take correspondence courses.
The P-3 Orion is a four jet turboprop aircraft made by Lockheed for the Navy, beginning in the early 1960s. It is named Orion for the mythical hunter of the same name. The Orion could remain aloft for up to 19 hours without refueling. We normally carried three pilots, who exchanged seats every four hours.
Submarines
Much of our ASW tactics research revolved around submarine operations beneath the polar ice cap, where airplanes and sonobouys couldn't detect them. This shows the USS Trepang (SSN 674) surfacing through a thin layer of polar ice. The subs employed various techniques to find thin ice for easy surfacing. Note the sails turned perpendicular to protrude through the ice.
North Pole rendezvous of the American submarines Archerfish (SSN 678) (top), Ray (SSN 653) (center) and Hawkbill (SSN 666) (bottom) on May 6, 1986. A major research emphasis in those days was operation and detection of submarines beneath the polar ice cap.
Warm core eddies duct sound upward, so are less desirous locales for a submarine to loiter if they suspect they are being tracked. Some of the larger eddies can be traced for upwards of a year across the north Pacific.
Much of our ASW tactics research revolved around submarine operations beneath the polar ice cap, where airplanes and sonobouys couldn't detect them. This shows the USS Trepang (SSN 674) surfacing through a thin layer of polar ice. The subs employed various techniques to find thin ice for easy surfacing. Note the sails turned perpendicular to protrude through the ice.
Submarines
Persian Gulf Operations
This shows the USS LaSalle (LPD-3), which served as the flagship for our Persian Gulf operations. She was specially configured for this role with additional air conditioning, a covered hangar for parking her helicopters and the only American warship painted pure white!
Chart showing the respective share of the world’s crude oil that emanated from Persian Gulf states in 1987.
Soon after we began staging P-3s in the Persian Gulf to fly nighttime patrols, patches began appearing, like this Persian Gulf Highway Patrol. Despite the humor, our patrol planes were attacked from time to time, mostly by small e USS LaSalle (LPD-3), which served as the flagship for our Persian Gulf operations. She was specially configured for this role with additional air conditioning, a covered hangar for parking her helicopters and the only American warship painted pure white!
This shows the USS LaSalle (LPD-3), which served as the flagship for our Persian Gulf operations. She was specially configured for this role with additional air conditioning, a covered hangar for parking her helicopters and the only American warship painted pure white!
Midway Atoll
Map of the Hawaiian Island chain. Midway and Kure are located about 1000 nautical miles west northwest of Pearl Harbor. All the islands west of Kauai are coral atolls formed on top of submerged (planated) volcanoes.
Aerial view of Sand Island at Midway Atoll. This was a gas-and-go stop for land-based Navy aircraft on most trips to WESTPAC. The enormous runway here was all constructed after World war II, when Midway became an importanmt DEW base. In mid-November 1990 I spent an entire week exploring the islands with a USFWS orinthologist after after my P-3 suffered a burned deicer boot and awaited repairs.
Kure Atoll is the breeding home of the Hawaiian Monk Seal, shown here relaxing on a beach at Green Island on Kure. I don't know what damaged his back, but he seemed to be recouperating and didn't take notice of me!
Map of the Hawaiian Island chain. Midway and Kure are located about 1000 nautical miles west northwest of Pearl Harbor. All the islands west of Kauai are coral atolls formed on top of submerged (planated) volcanoes.
NAS Adak in Aleutian Islands
Adak was the most unpredictable deployment location for maritime patrol units, requiring 21,000 lbs of fuel “on top” of the base on returning flights, because the nearest divert fields were a long, long way off. During wintertime, about 50% of the missions would divert to others bases in Alaska, usually King Salmon on Bristol Bay, Elmendorf near Anchorage, or Eielson near Fairbanks.
That’s me standing next to the only trees on Adak Island, planted by some creative Navy foresters and provided with the humorous sign proclaiming them as the "Adak National Forest."
In December 1988 the Navy positioned AN/TPS-71 Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar (ROTHR) antennas like those shown here on Amchitka Island. I began briefing our forces on this system at that time. ROTHR arrays were intended to provide advance warning of air or surface threats at “great range”. The concept was so successful it was subsequently adopted for use in the Caribbean and Atlantic seaboard to help with drug interdiction.
Adak was the most unpredictable deployment location for maritime patrol units, requiring 21,000 lbs of fuel “on top” of the base on returning flights, because the nearest divert fields were a long, long way off. During wintertime, about 50% of the missions would divert to others bases in Alaska, usually King Salmon on Bristol Bay, Elmendorf near Anchorage, or Eielson near Fairbanks.
Nome, Alaska
Cockpit view of final approach to Nome Airport, along Norton Sound, about 125 miles from the Bering Straits. Jimmy Doolittle grew up here and he was a pretty tough guy. P-3s staged here for North Sea Route (NSR) patrols in late September and early October, when Soviet ships would take trans-arctic journeys to their Siberian and Pacific ports. Operating out of Nome gave new meaning to the term “Cold War”.
Cockpit view of the sea ice routinely observed on North Sea Route missions in Septembers and Octobers of the Cold War. Around 1989 the Navy began issuing Imperial survival suits in case we ever had to ditch in such frigid waters.
Soviet weather reporting icebreaker Georgiy Sedov in the Chukchi Sea in 1986. She was one of two icebreakers converted for such duty, usually working out of the Siberian port of Anadyr. Our P-3s "rigged"any vessels we encountered while patrolling the sea lanes; photographing, noting location, course, speed and identifying the type of ship. Note sailor waiving to us on the after deck!
Cockpit view of final approach to Nome Airport, along Norton Sound, about 125 miles from the Bering Straits. Jimmy Doolittle grew up here and he was a pretty tough guy. P-3s staged here for North Sea Route (NSR) patrols in late September and early October, when Soviet ships would take trans-arctic journeys to their Siberian and Pacific ports. Operating out of Nome gave new meaning to the term “Cold War”.
NAF Atsugi, Japan
Operations Shack at NAF Atsugi, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) air base closest to Yokohama and Tokyo. We passed in and out of here on our way to 7th Fleet ASW ops, headquartered at nearby Kami Seya.
Shinmeiwa PS-1 turboprop powered amphibian of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force photographed at Atsugi in April 1988. Maritime patrol aircraft were predominately seaplanes up through the late 1950s. JMSDF also used P-3C Update "2-1/2's", like that seen on the right.
Romeo Papa ONE SIX taxing at Osan AFB in South Korea in Aug 1990. We affectionately referred to our Osan stopovers as the “K-Mart shoppers special” flights because of all the inexpensive paraphernalia we would acquire in a few hours perusing Osan’s countless shops. I purchased miniature flight jackets and flight suits with appropriate embroidery for all my kids.
Operations Shack at NAF Atsugi, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) air base closest to Yokohama and Tokyo. We passed in and out of here on our way to 7th Fleet ASW ops, headquartered at nearby Kami Seya.
NAF Misawa, Japan
Aerial view of Misawa AFM in Japan, about 400 miles north of Tokyo and close to the Tsugaru Straits, between Honshu and Hokkaido. It is a combined joint service installation, operated by the Japanese Air Defense Forces, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy since the end of the Second World War. During the Cold War we routinely deployed a patrol squadron at the Naval Air Facility here.
American F-86 Sabre jet gate guard at Misawa Air Base. F-86Es stationed here at the outbreak of the Korean War became famous for their jet-to-jet combat with Soviet-built MiG-15s over North Korea.
Misawa can get pretty cold during winter, even at sea level. Here’s one of our P-3s sitting outside the NAF hangar following a winter storm.
Aerial view of Misawa AFM in Japan, about 400 miles north of Tokyo and close to the Tsugaru Straits, between Honshu and Hokkaido. It is a combined joint service installation, operated by the Japanese Air Defense Forces, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy since the end of the Second World War. During the Cold War we routinely deployed a patrol squadron at the Naval Air Facility here.
NAF Kadena, Okinawa and NAF Agana, Guam
One of our EP-3E Aires II's of VQ-1 landing at NAS Agana, Guam. Guam is the largest of the Marianna Islands and a protectorate of the United States. One of these same birds (#32) subsequently brought fame to VQ-1 when it was involved in a mid-air collision with a Chinese F-8 fighter over the South China Sea, making a remarkable recovery and emergency landing on Hainan Island in April 2001.
Kadena Air Base on Okinawa is operated by the US Pacific Air Force. During the Cold War a P-3 squadron was forward deoployed here, rotating on 6 month cycles. The best Navy patches were also made here, off base. This view shows some Air Force E-3C AWACS and KC-135 refueling aircraft. Kadena was famous for Japanese Kobe beef restaurants.
While cruising around the central Pacific we occasionally encountered this strange looking Range Tracking Ship, which tracked missile launches out near Kwaljelin Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
One of our EP-3E Aires II's of VQ-1 landing at NAS Agana, Guam. Guam is the largest of the Marianna Islands and a protectorate of the United States. One of these same birds (#32) subsequently brought fame to VQ-1 when it was involved in a mid-air collision with a Chinese F-8 fighter over the South China Sea, making a remarkable recovery and emergency landing on Hainan Island in April 2001.
NAS Cubi Point, Philippines
A warmer outpost known throughout the Navy for its legendary shenanigans, this is Naval Air Station Cubi Point, on the edge of Subic Bay in the Philippines. The Officers Club sported an enormous collection of WESTPAC deployment plaques, now in the custody of the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola.
Runway approach at NAS Cubi Point, with Subic Bay and dormant volcanoes in the background. During the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in June 1991, most personnel were was evacuated to Maactan International Airport in Cebu. Tons of ash from the eruption covered the facility, causing many roofs to collapse. The clean-up cost millions, but the base was given to the Philippine government less than a year later.
Patwing One ASWOC at Cubi Point. We tried to have a meaningful dialogue with the operators here, but failed to convince them of our doctrines. A number of Soviet subs gracefully evaded this ASWOC's attempts to detect South China Sea transits. Through it all I learned some things about organizational behavior.
A warmer outpost known throughout the Navy for its legendary shenanigans, this is Naval Air Station Cubi Point, on the edge of Subic Bay in the Philippines. The Officers Club sported an enormous collection of WESTPAC deployment plaques, now in the custody of the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola.
Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory
Aerial view of the Naval Air Station on Diego Garcia under construction around 1980. It is part of the Chagos Archipelago, administered by the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Note the MSC ships parked in the lagoon, at upper left. Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this base serves as our gateway to the US CENTCOM (Persian Gulf) ops area. We always referred to Diego Garcia as “Dodge”; as in 'Dodge City' of the Wild Wild West. I don't know who started that, but it sure stuck.
Main runway approach at Diego Garcia. The U.S. Navy Support facility here was built in 1977, but not enlarged significantly until the Shah of Iran abdicated his throne in January 1979. During the previous 130 years it had been nothing but English coconut plantations. During the first Gulf War (1991) the Air Force based their venerable B-52s here and they had personnel stuffed into every crevice of the few BEQs and BOQs on the base.
The O Club at Dodge was filled with well-greased Maritime Sealift Command (MSC) officers whose hermetically-sealed transports were anchored in the island’s scenic lagoon. The ships holds were filled with equipment for our Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) in the Middle East, which eventually formed an integral part of all subsequent operations in the Middle East, especially Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001.
Aerial view of the Naval Air Station on Diego Garcia under construction around 1980. It is part of the Chagos Archipelago, administered by the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Note the MSC ships parked in the lagoon, at upper left. Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this base serves as our gateway to the US CENTCOM (Persian Gulf) ops area. We always referred to Diego Garcia as “Dodge”; as in 'Dodge City' of the Wild Wild West. I don't know who started that, but it sure stuck.
RTNAB Utapao, Thailand
During our trips to the Persian Gulf we tried to catch some R & R at Pataya Beach in the Gulf of Thailand, landing at U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Air Base. This enormous base once served a wing of giant B-52s during the Vietnam War. I had my first encounter with a real live double agent here, but, thankfully, had received appropriate warning just before landing.
LT Rick Cutting and I posing in front of an ex-American C-47 gunship at RTNAB U-Tapao, where it was soldiering on as a rain seeder, dispensing iodide droplets during drought periods! Rick and I were the same age and we routinely worked out together. He could lift more weights than me, but I could run faster than him!
One of the 572 emerald isles of the Nicobar and Andaman Islands, a chain of atolls, cays and islets 700 km long between Burma and Indonesia. Soviet submarines occasionally made monkeys out of us in this area...
During our trips to the Persian Gulf we tried to catch some R & R at Pataya Beach in the Gulf of Thailand, landing at U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Air Base. This enormous base once served a wing of giant B-52s during the Vietnam War. I had my first encounter with a real live double agent here, but, thankfully, had received appropriate warning just before landing.
Operation Desert Shield
The King Faisal Naval Airbase on Masirah Island in Oman was our base of operations for maritime patrol duties in North Arabian Sea Ops Area, with VP-4 supplying the nucealus aircraft. We routinely deployed pairs of P-3s to Masirah from our deployed squadrons at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The nearest pizza was at Al-Fujayrah, a major anchorage about 400 miles up the coast. Masirah-det aircraft always smelled like pizzarias!
American troops playing sandlot football by their tents on the island of Masirah, Oman during Operation Desert Shield in 1990-91. P-3s routinely deployed to Masirah for a week at a time prior to the first Gulf War. During Desert Shield/Storm the island’s modest base became home to thousands of sailors and airmen.
USS Theodore Roosevelt transiting the Suez Canal on its way to the Persian Gulf in mid-January 1991.
The King Faisal Naval Airbase on Masirah Island in Oman was our base of operations for maritime patrol duties in North Arabian Sea Ops Area, with VP-4 supplying the nucealus aircraft. We routinely deployed pairs of P-3s to Masirah from our deployed squadrons at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The nearest pizza was at Al-Fujayrah, a major anchorage about 400 miles up the coast. Masirah-det aircraft always smelled like pizzarias!
Operation Desert Storm
Our P-3s played a lead role in monitoring seaborne commerce entering the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield. This is one of the more colorful jacket patches that was typical of those produced by various units.
Stern view of the Missouri firing at Iraqi targets in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm
A month and $5 million later, the Triploi was repaired and able to return to her assigned tasks. It was the first time since the Civil War that a warship remained on station and actively functioning after a mine detonation. She was subsequently decommissioned in Sept. 1995.
Our P-3s played a lead role in monitoring seaborne commerce entering the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield. This is one of the more colorful jacket patches that was typical of those produced by various units.
Drug Interdiction Duty in Panama
In June 1991 I was Assistant Officer-in-Charge (AOIC) of Patron Det Panama operating out of Howard AFB. The P-3s and their crews were supplied by VP-MAU at Moffett Field. We enjoyed the protection provided by Air Guard F-16 Falcons from West Virginia and Montana. We were all working for JTF-4 in Key West as part of drug czar Bill Bennett’s newly declared war on drugs. Here I am pondering a geologic map of the Canal Zone while over the Galliard Cut, doing some low level sightseeing and photog
During Panama duty we were prohibited from flying below 4,000 feet over the canal. I received diplomatic clearance one afternoon to take some low level pictures of the canal. We buzzed one of our off-duty crews touring the Pedro Miguel Locks, flying at 500 feet! They thought we’d be put in hack and never seen again!
During my duty in Panama I also flew missions with VAW-127, the Bats. They provided Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability for or drug interdiction efforts for JTF-4, also operating out of Howard Air Force Base. This shows me in flight gear with one the Bat’s E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.
In June 1991 I was Assistant Officer-in-Charge (AOIC) of Patron Det Panama operating out of Howard AFB. The P-3s and their crews were supplied by VP-MAU at Moffett Field. We enjoyed the protection provided by Air Guard F-16 Falcons from West Virginia and Montana. We were all working for JTF-4 in Key West as part of drug czar Bill Bennett’s newly declared war on drugs. Here I am pondering a geologic map of the Canal Zone while over the Galliard Cut, doing some low level sightseeing and photog
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey
Hermann Hall at the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA. This used to be the Del Monte Hotel, which dates back to 1880 (the present structure was built in 1925 after the second fire). The Navy took over the hotel during World War II and moved the postgraduate school from Annapolis to Monterey in 1951. Our family loved staying here during my duty periods and we enjoyed many Sundays in the post chapel.
While serving at the Naval Postgraduate School in 1992 I was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal by Vice Admiral Edwin R. Kohn, Commander Naval Air Force US Pacific Fleet, for my work on PATWINGSPAC Tactical Training Team, with particular emphasis on my preparation of Navy air crews during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-91.
From August ’91 to March ’93 I served as Security Manager with NAVMIC 2020 at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. This was my official portrait during that period.
Hermann Hall at the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA. This used to be the Del Monte Hotel, which dates back to 1880 (the present structure was built in 1925 after the second fire). The Navy took over the hotel during World War II and moved the postgraduate school from Annapolis to Monterey in 1951. Our family loved staying here during my duty periods and we enjoyed many Sundays in the post chapel.
Famous Personalities
RADM and Mrs. Robert N. Colwell in 1986. Bob Colwell was the person who got me into Naval intelligence. A Professor of Forestry and Resource Management at Berkeley for almost four decades, he taught courses in aerial photo interpretation and was a respected international figure in remote sensing. He also did a lot of recruiting while serving as the first Director of the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program (DNRIP) between 1974-77.
Admiral Wesley McDonald when he was Commander Atlantic Fleet in 1985. I got to know him through my involvement with the Association of Naval Aviation, of which I am a life member. Admirals have to be effective people managers to carry out their tasks and they make great mentors. Admiral McDonald told me the most important trait of a naval officer was the ability to judge other men’s character; then strive to get the best people you can onto your team. I was fortunate to have worked under four
GEN Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, standing on an anchor windlass speaking to the crew of the USS Wisconsin in the Persian Gulf on Sept. 1, 1990, during Operation Desert Shield.
RADM and Mrs. Robert N. Colwell in 1986. Bob Colwell was the person who got me into Naval intelligence. A Professor of Forestry and Resource Management at Berkeley for almost four decades, he taught courses in aerial photo interpretation and was a respected international figure in remote sensing. He also did a lot of recruiting while serving as the first Director of the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program (DNRIP) between 1974-77.