Command

USS Anchorage

CAPT Jeffrey A Craig
Commanding Officer

A native of Panama City, Florida, Captain Craig graduated from the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD) in May 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and received his commission as an Ensign.

Captain Craig received his wings as a Naval Aviator in September 1995 and, after training in the EA-6B Prowler at VAQ-129, was assigned as a pilot to VAQ-139 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. While assigned to the COUGARS, Captain Craig deployed to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) with CVW-14 in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. As a COUGAR, Captain Craig served as the Legal Officer, NATOPS Officer, Safety Officer, Training/Assistant Operations Officer, Avionics/Armaments Division Officer and Quality Assurance Officer.

In February 2000, Captain Craig reported to the Electronic Attack Weapons School as an EA-6B Instructor Pilot and was designated a Prowler Tactics Instructor in June 2000. While at the Weapons School, he served as the Assistant Training Officer and Reactive SEAD Phase Head.

In June 2002, Captain Craig was assigned to the VAQ-137 ROOKS for his department head tour. As a ROOK, he deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf with CVW-1 onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, where he served as the Tactics Officer, Administrative Officer, Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer. During this deployment, Captain Craig forward deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan as a part of the first-ever EA-6B squadron on the ground there.

In November 2005, Captain Craig reported to the Joint Staff J-3 Directorate, Washington, D.C, as an action officer in the Space and Missile Defense Division of the Global Operations Directorate. He also served as the daily briefing officer to the J-3 Director and concluded his tour on the Joint Staff as the Executive Assistant to the J-3 Global Operations Director. During this tour, Captain Craig was selected for Operational Command and graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, with a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Business Ethics.

In April 2008, Captain Craig reported as the Executive Officer of the EA-6B/EA-18G Fleet Replacement Squadron, the VAQ-129 VIKINGS. During this tour, he transitioned to the EA-18G Growler.

In May 2009, Captain Craig reported to the VAQ-132 SCORPIONS as the Executive Officer and assumed command of the SCORPIONS in July 2010. In November 2010, he led the SCORPIONS on the first operational deployment of an EA-18G Growler squadron, supporting Operation NEW DAWN from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. In March 2011, responding to immediate expeditionary tasking, Captain Craig redeployed the SCORPIONS from Al Asad into Aviano, Italy, and into combat within 36 hours. Captain Craig led the squadron’s first combat mission into Libya in support of Operation ODYSSEY DAWN and completed the deployment in support of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. Under his leadership, the SCORPIONS were awarded the 2010 and 2011 Commander, Naval Air Forces Battle “E” and CNO Safety “S”.

In July 2011, Captain Craig was selected for a second command tour and returned to VAQ-129 as the squadron’s Commanding Officer. As a VIKING, Captain Craig ensured the timely production of EA-6B and EA-18G student aircrew and the on-time transitions of two EA-6B squadrons to the EA-18G. During this tour, Captain Craig was selected for Aviation Major Command and the US Navy Nuclear Power Program.

In April 2014, Captain Craig successfully completed the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program and reported to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) as the aircraft carrier’s Executive Officer. In this capacity, Captain Craig successfully completed an around-the-world deployment to the Arabian Gulf with CVW-1 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and a home port change and historic three carrier crew swap for the ship from Norfolk, VA to San Diego, CA.

In April 2016, Captain Craig completed his tour onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) and was selected as the Prospective Commanding Officer of USS ANCHORAGE (LPD 23).

Captain Craig’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Combat "V", Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.

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LCDR Johnson
Executive Officer

Upon graduation from USNA in 2000, LCDR Johnson was initially assigned to USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50) as communications officer and EKMS Manager where he fleeted up to Navigator. As a Department Head, he served as Operations Officer aboard USS GERMANTON (LSD 42) and as the N3 at Amphibious Squadron THREE (CPR3).

After serving at CPR3, LCDR Johnson earned a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport. Upon graduation, LCDR Johnson joined the Staff Plans Division at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific (EWTGPAC) in Coronado, CA, where he managed the Amphibious Warfare Indoctrination and Expeditionary Warfare Staff Planning Courses. During his tour at EWTGPAC, he was selected to fill an IA billet as the Forward Staging Base OIC for the Cultural Engagement Group at SOCCENT in Qatar. His most recent shore tour saw him stationed in Toulon, France, where he served as the PEP Officer for the French Naval Academy.

Currently, he serves as the Executive Officer aboard USS ANCHORAGE (LPD 23) in San Diego, CA.

His personal awards include the Joint Commendation Medal, five Navy Commendation Medals, and a Navy Achievement Medal.

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CMDCM (SW/AW/EXW) Robyn Pierce
Command Master Chief

Master Chief Robyn Pierce is from Cincinnati, Ohio. She enlisted in the Navy on 27 August 1990, attending Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Florida. Upon graduation, she began training at Hospital Corpsman “A” School, Great Lakes, Illinois. In March 1991, she attended Field Medical Service School, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Her first assignment was BMC, Naval Recruit Training Command, Orlando, FL. In May 1992 she received orders to Naval Hospital, Rota Spain. After a successful overseas tour of duty she reported to Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia. In August of 1997, she reported to Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman “C” School, Portsmouth, Virginia. She graduated August 1998 as the Honor Graduate and received orders to the USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN 74). During this tour she earned Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. She completed two Western Pacific Deployments in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer on 15 September 2001.

In September 2002, she transferred to ATG Pacific, San Diego, CA and qualified Master Training Specialist and Afloat Training Specialist She also earned her Bachelor of Science degree from George Washington University during her tour with ATG. She was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer in April of 2004. In 2005 she attended the Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 121, Green Group. She served onboard the USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47) and completed Rim of the Pacific in addition to her third Western Pacific Deployment in support of OIF/OEF, while earning her Master of Health Science degree from George Washington University.

In September of 2009, she deployed as an IA, to Combined Joint Task Force –Horn of Africa where she was assigned as SMDR/IDC, Forward Operating Location, Camp Kasenyi, Entebbe, Uganda. In May of 2010 she was promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer. She served as Deputy Command Master Chief, Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA. In 2012 she was selected to the Command Master Chief program. She was assigned to VFA-22, Fighting Redcocks, Lemoore, CA. She deployed onboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) for her fourth deployment in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. January, 2015 she reported onboard USS ANCHORAGE (LPD 23), San Diego, CA as the Command Master Chief.

Master Chief Pierce has earned three warfare qualifications (Enlisted Surface Warfare, Enlisted Aviation Warfare, and Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist). Her personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Health Science and a Master of Health Science degree in Clinical Practice Management and Leadership, from George Washington University.

(Past Leadership)

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141201-N-OR184-013 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 1, 2014) Sailors lower the jack staff aboard the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23). Anchorage is conducting the first exploration test flight for the NASA Orion program. EFT-1 is the fifth at sea testing of the Orion crew module using a Navy welldeck recovery method. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emiline L. M. Senn/Released)