Commanding Officer
CAPT S. Robert Roth
Captain S. Robert Roth was raised in Mendham, N.J. He graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and was commissioned through the Aviation Officers Candidate School. He earned a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1999.
Captain Roth was designated a Naval Aviator in 1987 at NAS Chase Field and subsequently served as a flight instructor with VT-25 for two years in Beeville, Texas. He completed his initial FA-18 Hornet training at VMFAT-101, MCAS, El Toro, Calif.
Captain Roth’s first sea duty assignment was with the “Privateers” of VFA-132 where he deployed on USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) in support of Operation PROVIDE COMFORT. He then joined the “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87 embarked on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) and participated in Operation DENY FLIGHT. His Department Head tour was with the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136 where he deployed onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
Ashore Captain Roth served as an Instructor Pilot and Landing Signals Officer in VFA-106, NAS Cecil Field, Florida. He subsequently attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and served as an Ordnance Test Pilot at NAS Patuxent River. Captain Roth then attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he received his Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, graduating with highest distinction. He served as Flag Aide to the Commander, Naval Air Forces, US Atlantic Fleet from 1999-2000.
Captain Roth served as Executive officer and Commanding officer of the VFA-34 “Blue Blasters” and deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).
Captain Roth then joined U.S. Joint Forces Command and served as an Observer Trainer supporting multiple combatant command exercises and headquarters assistance visits including Multi-National Force, Iraq and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Djibouti. After completing nuclear propulsion training, Captain Roth served as the commissioning Executive Officer of USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77). He served as Commanding Officer of USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) in San Diego, CA and deployed in support of PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2010, a humanitarian assistance mission to south pacific island nations.
In August 2012, he assumed command of USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in Norfolk, VA.
Captain Roth has logged more than 3,500 flight hours and more than 800 carrier landings. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Strike Flight Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, and several Unit and Campaign Awards.
Executive Officer
CDR Pat Hannifin
CDR Pat “Fin” Hannifin is a native of San Diego, California and was commissioned in May 1991 after completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania (NROTC) and a Masters Degree in International Relations from the University of San Diego. Graduating from Legal School in July 1991, his first tour of duty was as legal officer for the Pacific Fleet adversary “Bandits” of VF-126 at NAS Miramar, San Diego, California.
He attended flight school in May 1992 and was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1994 at NAS Kingsville, Texas. CDR Hannifin was then trained as an F/A-18C Hornet pilot at VFA-125 in Lemoore, California and joined VFA-27 in Lemoore by January of 1995. He led the advanced det for a homeport change to Atsugi, Japan later that summer and completed the remainder of his tour with the “Royal Maces” in Japan. He served as First Lieutenant Division Ofiicer, Information Systems Security Manager, Aviation & Armament Division Officer, and Air-to-Ground Weapons Training Officer during his three years with VFA-27, completing numerous deployments to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf aboard the USS Independence.
Selected to attend U. S. Air Force Test Pilot School, he departed the “Maces” in November 1998 for Edwards AFB, California. Graduating from Class 99A in December 1999, CDR Hannifin was assigned to Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. After serving one year in the Ordnance Support Team he led the T-45 test program as T-45 Project Coordinator, testing F/A-18 A-Fs and T-45s.
CDR Hannifin completed his Department Head tour in NAS Oceana with the VFA-81 “Sunliners” from December 2001 to April 2004. Serving as Safety, Operations, and then Maintenance Officer, he participated in Iraq and Afghanistan combat operations from the USS George Washington while deployed in the Persian Gulf.
Selected as CNAL VFA Readiness Officer in April 2004, “Fin” led TSPAT (Transition Support Process Action Team) / MAP (Master Air Plan) efforts and managed CNAF resources to meet Fleet readiness needs through September 2006. CDR Hannifin rejoined the VFA-81 “Sunliners” in February 2007 and held command from May 2008 through July 2009, serving in CVW-11 with F/A-18Cs and CVW-17 with F/A-18Es. “Fin” was selected to the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program while completing the Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy course at the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) in Norfolk, VA. CDR Hannifin completed nuclear power training in March of 2012 and reported to USS Harry S. Truman in May of 2012 as Executive Officer.
CDR Hannifin has over 2,800 hours of flight time in 33 different aircraft, of which approximately 2300 are in the F/A-18. His awards include Meritorious Service Medals, Navy Commendation Medals, an Air Medal Strike/Flight Award, and selection as Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron’s Test Pilot of the Year in 2000.
Command Master Chief
CMDCM Raymond Kemp, Sr.
Command Master Chief Raymond D. Kemp enlisted in June 1986 as a Data Processing Technician and completed Basic Training at Recruit Training Center San Diego, California, as well as Class-A School at the Service School Command.
CMDCM Kemp’s previous duty stations and assignments include USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) Philadelphia, PA and San Diego, CA; NAVAL SECURITY STATION, Washington D.C.; USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), Alameda, CA; COMMANDER AMPHIBIOUS GROUP ONE (CTF 76) Okinawa, Japan; COMMANDER NAVAL SPACE COMMAND, Dahlgren, VA; USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3), Norfolk, VA; CNO Staff, Pentagon; and recently served as Command Master Chief aboard USS MASON (DDG 87), Norfolk, VA.
His military education includes all phases of Navy Enlisted Leadership and Development. CMDCM Kemp is also a proud graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA).
Command Master Chief Kemp’s awards and decorations include the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist breast insignia, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Battle Efficiency Ribbon (two E’s), and numerous other unit or campaign awards.