USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77)

Commanding Officer of USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) 

Capt. Brian E. Luther 

Captain Brian “Lex” Luther was born in Michigan and graduated from Marquette University in 1984 with a degree in Computer Science.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1986.

Seagoing assignments include Sea Control Squadron Twenty-Two on board USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and Sea Control Squadron Twenty-Four onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), flying the S-3B Viking. During this tour he was recognized as the Sea Control Wing One Aviator of the Year for 1990. Capt. Luther also served as the Carrier Air Wing Seven Undersea and Surface Warfare Officer aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). He commanded Sea Control Squadron Twenty-Four onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). Under his leadership, the squadron completed a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf, participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, and was awarded the CNAL 2001 Battle ‘E”, CNO Safety “S”, CINCLANTFLT Retention Excellence Award, CVW-8 Golden Wrench, and was nominated for the DoD Phoenix Maintenance Award by CVW-8 and Sea Control Wing, Atlantic. He served as Executive Officer onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). He also served as commanding officer for USS TARAWA’s (LHA 1) final deployment, after which she was awarded the Department of the Navy Safety Award, the Admiral Flatley Memorial Award for Aviation Safety, CINCPACFLT Retention Excellence Award, and Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Pacific Fleet 2008 Battle “E”.

He first served ashore as a Joint Staff Intern (J6K) as an action officer and watchstander in the National Military Command Center during operation Desert Storm. Other Washington, D.C., duty assignments include Tactical Air Analyst for the Director, Strike and Amphibious Warfare Division (OP- 74) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and at the S-3 Class Desk, Naval Air Systems Command. He has served two tours on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller as the Financial Management Officer for Aviation Procurement programs and as the Assistant Director, Office of Budget. Most recently, Capt. Luther served on the staff of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Comptroller as a Congressional Liaison for House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

He graduated from the Naval War College non-resident program, was the honor graduate in his MBA program at George Mason University in May 2004, and completed the Navy Nuclear Power training program in December 2005.

Capt. Luther’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards, one combat device), Navy Achievement Medal, and various other unit and campaign awards. He has flown over 3,400 flight hours and has accumulated 825 carrier landings.

 Executive Officer of USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77)

Capt. Richard McCormack

Captain McCormack graduated in 1984 from Canyon High School, Canyon Country, CA.  Following graduation he joined the Navy and after a brief enlistment was selected to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI.  Captain McCormack went on to attend the United States Naval Academy and graduated with distinction in May 1990 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Oceanography.  He earned his wings of gold in 1994 and reported to VFA-106 at NAS Cecil Field, FL.

Captain McCormack completed FRS training in the F/A-18 and reported to the Wildcats of VFA-131 where he served as NATOPS Officer, Line Division Officer, Training and Assistant Operations Officer and an Air Wing qualified LSO.  He completed two deployments aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON and USS JOHN C. STENNIS and participated in Operations JOINT ENDEAVOR, DENY FLIGHT and SOUTHERN WATCH.  

In December of 1997, Captain McCormack was selected to attend the Navy Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD and was designated a Navy Test Pilot in June 1999. He was assigned to Weapons Test Squadron, Naval Air Weapons Center China Lake, CA where he served as the lead test pilot for the FA-18 E/F mission systems development phase, FA-18 E/F model manager and lead project officer for AIM-9X and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). 

Captain McCormack transferred in June 2001 to the Blue Diamonds of VFA-146 for his Department Head tour.  He completed two extended deployments aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS and USS CARL VINSON and participated in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in support of the global war on terrorism.

Following his Department Head tour, Captain McCormack reported to the Rough Raiders of VFA-125 in November of 2003 where he served as the squadron Training Officer.  He was selected for Aviation Command in April 2004.

Captain McCormack reported to the Sidewinders of VFA-86 as the Executive Officer in October of 2004 and assumed command in February 2006.  While in command, Captain McCormack led the Sidewinders on an extended deployment to three operational theaters that included combat operations in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM and presence operations in the Western Pacific.

In August of 2007, Captain McCormack reported to the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.  Following graduation in February 2008, he volunteered for a 12 month deployment to Iraq to serve as the Officer in Charge of Multi-National Division Baghdad’s Joint Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare team supporting the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.  Following his deployment, Captain McCormack served as the F/A-18 requirements officer on the OPNAV N-88 staff.

Captain McCormack has accumulated over 2,800 hours in 18 different aircraft and has logged over 750 arrested landings while participating in six operational deployments. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Air Medals (Strike/Flight), three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various other unit and campaign awards.

 Command Master Chief of USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77)

CMDCM(SW/AW) David Colton 

Command Master Chief (Surface Warfare/Aviation Warfare) David Colton was raised in Western Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Navy in October 1986. Master Chief Colton received recruit training and seaman apprenticeship in Great Lakes, Ill.

In January 1987, Seaman Colton reported to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in Norfolk, Va., where he struck into the Signalman rating.  While aboard, he advanced to Petty Officer 2^nd Class and embarked on “The Big Stick’s” maiden deployment.  In November 1990, Signalman 2^nd Class Colton reported to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., for his first shore tour, serving as a Security Supervisor.

In December 1993, he returned to sea aboard USNS HENRY J. KAISER, homeported in Norfolk, where he advanced to Petty Officer 1^st Class and deployed to the Red Sea and North Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield.

In October 1994, Signalman 1^st Class Colton reported for back-to-back sea duty aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit STETHEM (DDG 63) in Pascagoula, Miss.  As a plankowner, he commissioned the ship in July 1995 and homeported in San Diego, Calif.  Aboard STETHEM, SM1 Colton deployed to the Middle East, and was the first enlisted Sailor aboard to qualify as Officer of the Deck (Underway).

For his next shore duty assignment, he served as a Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor with the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program in San Diego.  He was selected as a Chief Petty Officer in 2000.

Chief Colton returned to sea duty in January 2002 aboard USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) in San Diego.  There, he served as the Command 3M Coordinator, Command Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, and Leading Chief Petty Officer for Navigation/Administration Department.  He earned his second OOD (Underway) letter and converted to Quartermaster when the Signalman rate was disestablished, and later converted again to Master-at-Arms.  While aboard PEARL HARBOR, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

Senior Chief Colton reported to Commander, Navy Region Southwest Security Detachment in March 2004 as the Security LCPO for Naval Submarine Base Point Loma.  There, he among the first group of Senior Chief Petty Officers selected for the Navy’s Command Senior Chief program.

Command Senior Chief Colton reported aboard USS GUARDIAN (MCM 5), forward-deployed out of Sasebo, Japan, in July 2006.  He earned his third OOD (Underway) letter and was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer.

CMDCM Colton reported as the Command Master Chief aboard USS ANZIO (CG 68), homeported in Norfolk, in June 2008, where he deployed to the Navy’s Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of responsibility.  ANZIO served as the flagship for Commander, Task Force 151, responsible for anti-piracy operations.

In February 2011, CMDCM Colton reported for duty as Command Master Chief aboard the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), homeported in Norfolk.

Master Chief Colton is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 119/Gold) and the Command Master Chief Course, Newport, R.I.  He holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix. He is Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualified, and his personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards) and various unit and campaign awards.