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President (07-08)

Aviation Boatswain's Mate Association President. | by Tony Hernandez

Posted 18 Sep 2007

Flight deck personnel stow the aircraft barricade after flight deck drills on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).   U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

From The President

ABMA President, CDR. Tony Hernandez

CDR Luis A. Hernandez (Tony)
ALRE Installation Officer (N433)
COMNAVAIRFORCES (Atlantic)

A native of Puerto Rico, CDR Hernandez graduated high school in 1978. After attending the University of Puerto Rico for 2 years, his adventurous nature led him to a Navy recruiter’s office and in June of 1980 he was sworn into naval service.
He reported to basic training in Naval Recruit Training Center Orlando, Florida, and upon completion of bootcamp, in September of 1980, he was detailed to his first duty station aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) then deployed to the Persian Gulf in response to the Iran-Iraq conflict. Once aboard Ike he was assigned to the Air Department, Aviation Fuels Division also known as the “V4 Grapes” in lieu of their purple flight deck jerseys.
As an E-5 and upon completion of 4 years aboard Ike, he accepted orders to Rota, Spain where he served in the capacity of Transient Line Supervisor. In 1987 he reported to Lakehurst, New Jersey for Aviation Fuels Class “C” school enroute again to CVN-69. While serving aboard Ike, in 1988, he was notified of his selection to Chief Petty Officer and consequently in 1991 he was selected for commission under the Limited Duty Officer in Service Procurement Program.
Commissioned as an Ensign, he attended Mustang University in Pensacola, Florida with a brief stop in Millington Tennessee for Fuels Maintenance Officer School in transit to USS Belleau Wood, LHA3 in San Diego, California. A month after reporting, the ship executed a change of home port to Sasebo, Japan. While on Belleau Wood he served in the capacity of Air Bos’n and later Fuels Division Officer. Upon completion of this tour, as a Lieutenant, he reported to pre-commissioning unit Bataan as the precom Air Officer. Once LHD-5 was commissioned he transferred to USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN71 as the Flight Deck Officer. Completing a successful tour aboard TR, in September of 2000, he reported to NAS Oceana as the station’s Aviation Fuels/Cryogenics Program Manager. While assigned to Oceana he completed his undergraduate degree through Saint Leo University and commenced a Masters Program in Public Administration via Troy University. In parallel, he also began working on a Master’s of Science on International Affairs sponsored by the Naval War College as part of the JPME (Joint Professional Military Education) program, completing both programs in the summer 2006.
In September of 2002 he reported, once again, to Commanding Officer USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, this time as the Aircraft Handling Officer. While aboard Ike, he served as the Assistant Air Officer, and consequently in the billet to which he was ordered, Aircraft Handling Officer. He spearheaded Air Department’s efforts in Ike’s Refueling Complex Overhaul valued at over 2.8 billion dollars. In September of 2005 he was selectively chosen to lead the ALRE Installations Team for Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic.
Commander Hernandez’ personal awards include, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6 awards), Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards), and numerous other personal and unit decorations.

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