CHAMBER LUNCHEON

Description

The Chamber is delighted to co-host this special luncheon event with Gorton Community Center. Catered by Heller Catering/Tu Chez Events, the luncheon will feature a talk given by Capt. James D. Hawkins, Commanding Officer at the Naval Station Great Lakes. 

Capt. Hawkins Biography
A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Capt. James D. Hawkins is a 1987 graduate of St. Joseph High School and a 1991 graduate of the University of Norte Dame where he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering and a commission through Naval ROTC. Captain Hawkins was designated a Naval Flight Officer in the E-2C Hawkeye in February 1994.

His sea duty assignments include the Bear Aces of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (VAW 124); the Bluetails of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW 121) and as Navigator onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

Ashore, Capt. Hawkins served on the staffs of Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, Nevada as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) instructor, Air Wing Weapons Detachment evaluator, and E-2C Tactics Manual program manager; Knowledge Manager and Aerospace Planner for United States Joint Forces Command, Standing Joint Force Headquarters; and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command Interagency Directorate (J9), Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Capt. Hawkins commanded Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC), San Diego, California. He assumed command of Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois on March 4, 2015.

He has more than 2,300 flight hours and 500 carrier arrested landings in the Hawkeye. He holds a master’s degree from the Naval War College and is a graduate of the Naval Operational Planner Course and Joint Forces Staff College.

Capt. Hawkins is a recipient of various personal and campaign awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Strike Flight Air Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards). In 2011 he was awarded the Stennis Center “Straight Furrow” Award for outstanding leadership, professionalism and integrity.