Comments
United States Navy BIO ICO Danny G. East
Captain with United States Naval Reserve (Retired),
Commanding Officer VR-59, Navy C-9 Squadron,
Executive Officer, CARGRU 570,
Commanding Officer Naval Reserve Operational Support Group,
Naval Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for North Texas (FEMA Region-6)
Captain East was born in LaPorte, Indiana, grew up in Ferguson Missouri, and graduated from McCluer High School, Florissant, Missouri in 1971.
In January 1973, Captain East enlisted in the United States Navy serving as an Aviation Electronics Technician at training squadron (VT-10) and maintenance facility (AIMD) Pensacola, Florida. Upon separation from active duty in 1977, he received an NROTC scholarship to the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Operational Analysis and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy on May 1979.
In November of 1979, Captain East reported to (VT-6) in Pensacola, Florida for primary flight training, completing advanced training with VT-28 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and earned his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in November 1980. In January 1981, he began C-130 initial transition Training.
Captain East’s initial fleet assignment was to VXE-6 (Operation Deep Freeze) in Point Mugu, California, where he made several 5-month deployments to McMurdo Station Antarctic, providing logistic support for polar scientific operations in support of crack the National Science Foundation and having landed an LC-130 aircraft over 75 times at the South Pole and countless remote sites in the Antarctic (where man has never set foot). While there he served as an Aviation Safety Officer, Instructor Pilot, and completed an exchange pilot tour with the New Zealand Air Force.
In April 1984, Captain East detached from VXE-6 and reported to a Strategic Communications squadron (VQ-4), Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, where he served as the Aviation Safety Officer, and as a NATOPS Instructor pilot until January of 1986. He operated random-based EC-130 aircraft while maintaining continuous airborne coverage in the Atlantic Command Region to provide a survivable command, control, and communications link to our strategic forces.
In August of 1986, Captain East joined the Naval Reserves and affiliated with Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Five Nine (VR-59), Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas in November of that year. He has served as the Training Officer, Administration Officer, Maintenance Officer, NATOPS Instructor Pilot, and Executive Officer. In April of 1997 Captain East assumed command of VR-59 as the commanding officer. Captain East was recalled to active duty, and he was involved in a highly successful mobilization effort in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991).
In October 1998 Captain East affiliated with Naval Reserve Carrier Group Five Seven Zero (CARGRU 570) serving as the Administration Officer and Executive Officer providing contributory support for Carrier Battle Group Five during numerous fleet exercises and real-world operations.
In September of 2005 Captain East was selected as a Naval Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for North Texas (FEMA Region VI) responsible for coordinating emergency disaster resources between the military and civilian agencies.
Captain East has flown over 6000 accident-free flight hours in the navy and his decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/Gold Star (for an individual award), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Antarctic Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation of Kuwait Medal, Saudi Arabia Liberation of Kuwait Medal Medal (GOK), VR-59 Junior Officer of the Years for 1990 and 1991, and numerous unit, service and deployment medals, and citations.
American Airlines BIO ICO Danny East
Captain with American Airlines (Retired)
Qualified on Boeing 727, DC-10, MD-80 and B-737
MD-80 Check Airmen, Instructor Pilot,
MD-80 and B-737 Captain,
Human Factors, Safety, and Security Training Facilitator and Program Development
Captain East joined American in 1986 managing his dual career in the Naval Reserves and airlines. He has been a commercial pilot with American Airlines for 32 years, having qualified on the Boeing 727, DC-10, MD-80, and B-737 aircraft and being selected to the elite cadre of professional aviators as a Check Airman and Instructor pilot on the MD-80 aircraft flying domestic and international flights. As a Check Airman and instructor pilot, he was responsible for the training and evaluation of his fellow line pilots in aircraft normal, abnormal, emergency and safety procedures.
In 2002 Captain East was selected as a Human Factors, Safety Training and Security Facilitator. In this position, he developed course curriculum, taught and promoting risk and threat awareness and management, enhancing the American Airlines line pilot's recognition and timely response to potential safety and security hazards to enhance aircraft mishap prevention. Subsequently, Captain East qualified on and retired from American Airlines flying the Boeing 737.
Captain Danny G. East attended McCluer High School, Florissant, MO., 1969-1971, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL., 1976-1977 (in his off duty hours while enlisted in the navy) and the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO., 1977-1979 on an NROTC scholarship. He also attended the Naval Post Graduate School Aviation Safety Program, Monterey, CA., in 1983, promoting aviation safety and accident prevention, and performed several aircraft accident investigations. He currently resides in Colleyville, Texas, a suburb of the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
