Oklahoma City Navy Week 2009 has the privilege of hosting Rear Admiral Douglas L. McClain, Director of Global Operations (J3), United States Strategic Command and Rear Admiral Robin R. Braun, Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command as our spokespersons this year. In addition to the Admirals, there will be guest appearances from Captain Dwight D. Shepherd,Commander, Strategic Communications Wing ONE (TACAMO), Task Force 124, Commander Aaron M. Thieme, USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) Commanding Officer with Namesake Crew, Navy Mid-South "Freedom" Band and other outstanding local Sailors.

Rear Admiral Doug McClain is the director of Global Operations (J3), United States Strategic Command. He serves as the principal advisor to the Commander, USSTRATCOM on all operational matters, providing strategic guidance to planning and execution of Strategic Command's Global Missions, to include providing coordinated space, information capabilities, network operations and global strike in support of deterrent and decisive national security objectives.

A 1975 graduate of Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City, he attended the University of Colorado, helping the Buffaloes to a berth in the Orange Bowl before transferring to the University of Oklahoma graduating in 1979 with a bachelor of business administration degree and his commission earned through the Oklahoma University Naval Reserve Officer Training Program. He instructed the freshman NROTC class until 1980 assigned to the staff of the Oklahoma NROTC Unit while awaiting flight school. He received his Navy Wings of Gold from VT-22 in Kingsville, Texas, in August 1981.

McClain’s command tours include the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, the Rough Raiders of VFA-125 (Fleet Readiness Squadron) and commanded the Navy’s only forward deployed air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) based in Atsugi, Japan. McClain reports to USSTRATCOM from Commander, Battle Force U.S. 7th Fleet (CTF-70 and Carrier Strike Group 5/ USS Kitty Hawk Strike Group), commanding all Carrier Strike Forces and Surface Combatant operations over the 150 million square miles of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. He has flown in support of Operations Desert Storm, Desert Strike and Southern Watch.

Significant assignments include tours with the Eagles of Attack Squadron (VA) 115 (1982-1985) onboard USS Midway (CV 41), The Golden Phoenix of VA-128 as an instructor pilot and head of Carrier Qualifications (1985-1987), The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, (1987-1990), The Green Lizards of VA-95 (1991-1993), was the chief of policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff J-5 Directorate (2001-2003) where his division led the efforts in writing the 2002 Unified Command Plan (UCP), standing up U.S. Northern Command and the merging of U.S. Space and U.S. Strategic Commands. Following his Joint Staff assignment, he was assigned to the staff of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet where he was the deputy chief of staff for Operations, Plans and Policy and Training (N3/5/7) (2003-2005) while simultaneously holding the position of director of operations (J-3) for Joint Task Force 519 (JTF-519), which is responsible for contingency operations in the Pacific.

In 1993, McClain attended the United States Naval War College earning a Master of Science degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and was awarded the President’s Honor Graduate award.

McClain has logged more than 6,500 hours in carrier jet aircraft including 2,000 hours in the A-6 Intruder and more than 4,000 hours in F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft. He has more than 1,500 carrier-arrested landings on 12 different aircraft carriers including over 500 night-arrested landings. McClain is a former U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilot who flew as number 7, 3 and 4 as well as the operations officer.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal (four), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (two), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two) and various unit and campaign awards. He has also received honors as the Tailhooker of the Year in 1984, Landing Signals Officer of the Year in 1985 and Instructor Pilot of the Year in 1986.

Updated: 4 December 2008

Please visit the official United States Strategic Command
web site at: www.stratcom.mil

Rear Admiral
Douglas L. McClain
Director of Global Operations (J3), USSTRATCOM

Rear Admiral Robin R. Braun
Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

Rear Admiral Robin R. Braun, daughter of a career Naval Aviator, was born in Pensacola, Fla. A graduate of Northern Arizona University, she was commissioned in March 1980 and was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1981.

Braun’s first assignment was to Training Squadron 31, Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas, where she served as an Instructor Pilot and Selectively Retained Graduate (SERGRAD) in the T-44 aircraft. In 1983, Braun reported to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 3 (TACAMO) at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. She served as a Mission Commander and Aircraft Commander in the EC-130Q aircraft, providing an airborne communications link for strategic forces throughout the Pacific theater.

In 1986, Braun reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington as a Navy Intern in the Operations Directorate (J3). Subsequently, she was assigned to the Navy Personnel Command as the Aviation Initial Assignments Detailer and Chairman of the Aviation Warfare Transition Board.

Braun’s first Reserve Component assignment was with Naval Reserve NAS Keflavik at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Washington. From 1989 through 1994, she served with Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 61 at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. and VR-51 at NAS Glenview, Ill., flying worldwide missions in the DC-9 and C-9B aircraft. Upon closure of NAS Glenview, she transferred to VR-48 at NAF Washington, serving as one of the Navy’s first C-20G Aircraft Commanders and Instructor Pilots. Following assignment as Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer, she became Commanding Officer of VR-48 in 1998. During her tour, the squadron was awarded the Battle “E” and CNO Safety Award.

Follow-on assignments include Commanding Officer, Tactical Support Center 0793 supporting Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 5; Facilitator for the Naval Safety Center’s Culture Workshop Program; Chief of Staff, Navy Command Center 106/CNO Ops and Plans supporting OPNAV N3/5; Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve Carrier Strike Group Ten supporting the USS Harry S. Truman and Joint Task Force Katrina; and Commanding Officer of Navy Air Logistics Office, New Orleans, LA.

Braun reported as Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command in October 2007.

Braun has accumulated over 5800 flight hours in Navy aircraft. Her awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (three awards).

Braun has been employed as a pilot for Federal Express since 1996.

Updated: 2 December 2008

Please visit the official Navy Recruiting Command
web site at: www.cnrc.navy.mil

Captain Dwight D. Shepherd
Commander, Strategic Communications Wing ONE (TACAMO)
and Task Force 124

Captain Dwight D. Shepherd graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1983, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing. He also earned a Master of Science degree from the Industrial College of Armed Forces (ICAF), in National Resource Strategy. Captain Shepherd was commissioned an Ensign in June 1984. Upon completion of Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla., he reported directly to flight training, and was designated a Naval Flight Officer from Mather AFB, Calif., in July 1985.

His first operational tour was with Patrol Special Projects Unit Two (VPU-2), NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. VPU-2 was responsible for conducting sensitive airborne surveillance operations in support of high priority naval and national intelligence collection. While there, he qualified in three models of the P-3 Orion aircraft and logged more than 1,800 flight hours.

Captain Shepherd then transitioned to the TACAMO community and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Three (VQ-3), NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii where he flew more than 1,500 hours as an Airborne Communications Officer (ACO), ACO Instructor, Navigator Instructor, and Mission Commander Evaluator. As a TACAMO/E-6A Mission Commander, he conducted strategic communications operations from the Pacific region in support of Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines.

Captain Shepherd reported for his first shore tour at the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the Initial Assignment and VQ/Force Support Detailer, where he was responsible for the detailing of more than 1,000 constituents and maintaining a $2 million PCS budget. He then reported to Naval Training Support Unit (NTSU) for a brief tour as the NATOPS evaluator prior to his Department Head tour.

Captain Shepherd returned to VQ-3 for his Department Head tour in November 1995. He served as Mission Commander Evaluator, ACO/NAV Instructor, Tactics Officer, Administration Officer, and Aviation Maintenance Officer.

After completing his Department Head tour in May 1998, Captain Shepherd reported to United States Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb., for his Joint tour as the TACAMO/ABNCP Current Operations Officer.

Captain Shepherd then reported to VQ-3, the Navy's largest aviation squadron, for his Operational Command tour, becoming the first black officer to command a TACAMO squadron.

After his command tour, Captain Shepherd reported to Combat Carrier Group FIVE, Yokosuka, Japan, aboard USS Kitty Hawk as the N6/IWC for the Flag staff. After the USS Kitty Hawk tour, he reported to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) where he completed his Master's of Science degree in National Resource Strategy.

Captain Shepherd then reported to OPNAV staff as the Executive Assistant to N6F.

He screened for command of Strategic Communications Wing ONE and returned to TACAMO in June 2007 to assume duties as SCW-1 and Task Force 124 Deputy Wing Commander. He assumed his current position in February 2009.

Captain Shepherd's decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and other unit and service awards.

Please visit the official Strategic Communications Wing ONE (TACAMO) and Task Force 124 web site at:
www.tacamo.navy.mil

Commander Aaron M. Thieme
Commanding Officer, USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723)

Commander Aaron Thieme grew up in Denver, Colorado, earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1992, and was commissioned through the NROTC program.

Following nuclear power and submarine training, CDR Thieme was assigned to USS GEORGIA (SSBN 729) Blue Crew from 1993 to 1996, where he qualified in submarines and completed five strategic deterrent patrols. His next submarine assignment was as Combat Systems Officer on USS TOLEDO (SSN 769) from 1999 to 2002. During this tour CDR Thieme deployed twice, once to the North Atlantic Ocean and once to the Mediterranean Sea. Following this tour, CDR Thieme successfully completed the Royal Navy Submarine Command Course (Perisher) on HMS TIRELESS and HMS SCEPTRE. As Executive Officer on USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760) from 2005 to 2006, CDR Thieme completed a deployment to the Indian Ocean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He took command of USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723) in November, 2008.

CDR Thieme’s other assignments include duty as Operations Officer for COMSUBDEVRON TWELVE from 2002 to 2004 and duty as an NROTC instructor at the University of Mississippi from 1996 to 1998. His graduate degrees are in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi, and in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

CDR Thieme’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal. He also proudly wears unit citations and campaign service ribbons earned by the outstanding crews with whom he has been privileged to serve.

For more information about the USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723) you can visit the ship's Wikipedia page at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Oklahoma_City_(SSN-723)

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