#RDML Robert S Owens, USN (1955-1985 )
Owens	Nickname: Bob Branch: USN Commission: Navcad 1957 Pre-Flight: Navcad 41-55 Wings Year: 1957 Active Years: 1955-1985 Reserves:  Mil Retirement:  1985 Last Location: VA	Assignments:	Highlights: A hell of a ride. I'd do it again.
— Bob Owens March 24, 2007

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RDML Robert S Owens USN 1955-1985

Navcad Class 41-55. Completed Pre-flight went to Whiting North and T-34's; next to Corry and T-28 transition; Saufley for formation; Barin for gunnery and CQ; Memphis T28 instruments and TV2 transition; commissioned May 10, 1957; Forest Sherman F9F-2 transition to complete flight training.

• 9/57 to 3/59: First tour - NAVCICSCHOL, NAS Glynco, Brunswick, GA flying F2H- 2,3, and -4, Banshees. Married Martha Rutledge on 30 May 1958.
• 4/59 to 8/59: VA-44. A4D RAG. Received a Battle E for High Altitude Dive Bombing at Hicackle Target, Gitmo. Son, Charles born the day before the weapons detachment so wife was in the Jax Navy Hospital when I left on the Det. Attended five-week Special Weapons Delivery Course for Instructors.
• 9/59 to 4/62: VA-66, NAS Oceana. Two deployments to the Med aboard INTREPID. Qualified as squadron Landing Signal Officer. Weapons D.I. Ordnance Officer. Air Frames Officer. Safety Officer.
• 4/62 to 12/62: VA-43, NAS Oceana. Instructor Pilot. LSO. Air Frames.
• 1/63 to 3/65: VA-42, NAS Oceana, IP, A6 Fleet Introduction.
• 4/65 to 3/68: VA-65, NAS Oceana, LSO; Operations Officer, SEASIA aboard CONSTELLTION and FORRESTAL.
• 4/68 to 12/68: VA-42, NAS Oceana, IP, LSO.
• 1/69 to 9/70: USNAVPGSCOL, Undergraduate; BS September, 1970.
• 10/70 to 1/71: Navy Weapons Center, China Lake; Military Assistant Analysis, A6 Pilot. Promoted to 05.
• 2/72 to 3/72: VA-128, NAS Whidbey Island, WA; Fleet Replacement Pilot, PXO, VA- 145.
• 4/72 to 6/73: VA-145, NAS Whidbey Island, WA; two SEASIA deployments aboard RANGER; CO and XO. Squadron won Battle E for 1972-73. Introduced the PAVEKNIFE airborne Laser Designator to Pacific Fleet. Used system to destroy 14 bridges on a single strike the last day of bombing in NVN.
• 7/73 to 8/74: Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL. Attended Auburn University night school. MS, Business Administration, 1974.
• 9/74 to 11/75: Pentagon, Washington, DC, OP-506 Air-to-Ground Guided Weapons Coordinator.
• 12/75 to 10/76: VA-128, NAS Whidbey Island, WA; CO.
• 11/76 to 12/76: PCO/PXO School, NWC. Promoted to 06.
• 1/77 to 2/78: USS CORAL SEA CV-43, XO. WestPac Deployment.
• 3/78 to 7/79: USS WHITE PLAINS AFS-4,CO. Ship won Battle E, Golden Anchor reenlistment award.
• 8/79 to 1/81: COMVAVAIRPAC, San Diego, CA; Staff, Ship's Training Officer.
• 2/81 to 8/82: USS MIDWAY CV-41, CO. Ship won Battle E, Golden Anchor and Best Mess Award. Promoted to 07.
• 9/82 to 9/84: CINCLANTFLT, Norfolk, VA, DCOS Operations,Command and Control.
• 10/84 to 12/85: COMCARGRU TWO, NAS Norfolk.

A hell of a ride. I'd do it again.

— Robert S. Owens, March 24, 2007