Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman Cindi Donaghue LaPorte, formerly of the Caledonia area, was honored at a retirement ceremony for her 30 years of dedicated service to the United States Navy. Many members of Cindy’s family, her husband Jim’s family, friends and members of the her Navy family, attended the retirement ceremony held July 21, 2006 at the United States Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, Maryland where she was recognized for the numerous honors she earned over her career. Master Chief LaPorte enlisted in the U.S. Navy in summer 1976 and reported for Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Florida in September, as part of the Navy’s first coed training classes. After completing her training, she reported to the Navy Training Technical Center in Tennessee for Aviation Structural Mechanic AMS A school. She was assigned to her first Aviation Squadron in California where she qualified as a Plane Captain. In 1980 LaPorte moved to the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department in NAS Oceana Virginia to the Structures workcenter in the Airframes Division. Since that time, LaPorte has completed several different tours with the Navy, earned numerous honors and received several rank advancements including being named First Class Petty Officer, Lead Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer in July 1991 and Senior Chief Petty Officer. LaPorte served in many different capacities as she climbed the ranks including coordinating the escort of apprehended Navy deserters in her early years and a three year sea tour with the Elite Fighter Squadron Three Two (Gypsies). In June 2000, LaPorte reenlisted to sea duty with Strike Fighter Squadron Thirty Seven (Raging Bulls) as the Aircraft Division LCPO then into Maintenance Control. It was at this time that she advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer and took over as the Maintenance Master Chief during her deployment in the Persian Gulf in support of operation Southern Watch onboard the USS Harry S Truman. LaPorte reported to Naval Test Wing Atlantic, Patuxenet River, MD as the Maintenance Master Chief and Command Master Chief in October 2003, performing manpower oversight, monitoring for correct and safe maintenance practices and serving as a Senior Enlisted Advisor to WING Commodore over AIMD and four squadrons flying 204 aircraft of 54 different types at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. In her 30 year career, LaPorte has been supported by her loving husband Jim and their son, Michael. The family makes their home in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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