HONORED GUEST: CAPT BILL GORTNEY

Captain William E. Gortney graduated from Elon College, North Carolina in 1977, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. He entered the Navy as an Aviation Officer Candidate (AOC), and received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve in September 1977. Captain Gortney received his Wings of Gold in December 1978 while assigned to VT-7 in Meridian, Mississippi.

Captain Gortneys fleet assignments have included tours with VA-82, from 1981 to 1984, onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68); VFA-87, from 1988 to 1990, onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71); VFA-132, as Executive Officer, from 1991 to 1992, onboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59); and VFA-15, as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, from 1992 to 1995, onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). Captain Gortney joined Carrier Air Wing SEVEN as Deputy Commander in July, 2000, while deployed onboard USS EISHENHOWER (CVN 69). He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing SEVEN in January 2002. Carrier Air Wing SEVEN is assigned to the JOHN F. KENNEDY BATTLE GROUP.

Captain Gortneys shore assignments have included tours with VT-26, NAS Beeville Texas, from 1978 to 1980; VFA-125, NAS Lemoore, California, from 1984 to 1988; and Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare), in Washington, D.C., from 1990 until 1991. Additional training tours include VT-6 (T-28), VT-9 (T-2C), VA-174 (A-7E), VFA-125 and VFA-106 (F/A-18A/B/C/D). He is a 1996 graduate of the Naval War College, earning a Masters of Arts in International Security Affairs. Captain Gortney commanded VFA-106, the East Coast F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron, from 1996 to 1997, followed by a tour on the Joint Staff, J-33 Joint Operations Department, CENTCOM Division, until the summer of 1999. After departing the Joint Staff, Captain Gortney completed air wing command pipeline training, which included a tour as the Deputy for Current Operations, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia.