VOLUME 11, NO. 1     MAY 1997

Naval aviators celebrate a common heritage

Onboard the USS George Washington, four WPI alums weathered a six-month deployment together in Bosnia and the Persian Gulf, planning strikes and flying together on a daily basis. (In photo, from left) Lt. Cdr. Steve Kochman '83, Lt. Al Mousseau '88, Lt. Rob Barthelmes '89 and Lt. Kerry Hennessy '88 were all assigned to aviation squadrons comprising Carrier Airwing Seven, the shooting arm of the GW, between January and June 1996.

"It was during the early stages of preparation for this deployment that we discovered our common academic heritage," says Kochman. Following the extensive work-up stage, they shipped out of Norfolk, Va. After a trans-Atlantic crossing and several weeks on station in the Adriatic Sea performing missions in support of Decisive Endeavor over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the GW was called to the Persian Gulf to cover Operation Southern Watch in the Kuwaiti theater of operations. They also visited several Mediterranean ports, including Cannes and Marseilles, France; Naples and Trieste, Italy; Corfu, Greece; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

"Having a common bond that takes you back to your college days improves your working relationship, especially when you are working with guys from other aircraft communities," says Barthelmes. Hennessy, Barthelmes and Mousseau were all acquaintances at WPI, and they enjoyed reminiscing about their college days together, as well as poking fun at the more experienced Kochman, who had graduated prior to their arrival.

As they passed through the Suez Canal (a.k.a. "the ditch"), the four decided to commemorate their alma mater with a picture. Since the end of their deployment in July, Mousseau and Barthelmes have remained squadronmates in Norfolk, Hennessy's squadron was stationed in Jacksonville, Fla., and Kochman is serving on Whidbey Island, Wash., until spring.

Joan Killough-Miller

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