Larry Lahtinen

USS Hector (AR-7) was a repair ship of the United States Navy commissioned in February 1944. Serving throughout World War II, Hector provided vital repair and maintenance services to the Pacific Fleet, supporting operations in the Marshall Islands, Marianas, and the Philippines. After the war, she continued her service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, often operating in forward areas to keep U.S. naval forces operational. Decommissioned in 1987, USS Hector earned numerous battle stars for her decades of dedicated support to American naval operations.

**Commander Fleet Air, Mediterranean (COMFAIRMED)** was a United States Navy aviation command established in the post-World War II era to oversee naval air operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, COMFAIRMED provided operational control and support for carrier-based and land-based naval aviation units assigned to the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Its primary missions included maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and coordination with NATO allies during the Cold War. The command played a critical role in projecting American air power and maintaining maritime security in the Mediterranean region until its deactivation in the late 20th century.

USS Halsey (CG-23) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in July 1963. Named in honor of Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey Jr., the ship served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous operations during the Vietnam War and later Cold War exercises. Halsey was involved in air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and carrier escort missions, reflecting her advanced missile capabilities for the era. After nearly three decades of service, USS Halsey was decommissioned in January 1994 and subsequently scrapped.

USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy in 1963. Named after the pivotal World War II battle, she served as a platform for helicopter-borne Marine assaults, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Notably, she was involved in the recovery of the Apollo 9 space capsule in 1969. After three decades of service, USS Guadalcanal was decommissioned in 1994, leaving a legacy of support for both military and humanitarian missions.