Other challenges of Vinson s distinguished career could fill a book, however, he related the most fulfilling of those occurred prior to Desert Storm while serving as Director for Intelligence, Strike Support and Security at the Naval Strike Warfare Center, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. We provided pre-deployment training to aircrews and battlegroups, he explained. We developed contingency operations for a variety of the Navy s weapons systems. Our Navy s successes during the desert war are a strong testimony to the Naval Strike Warfare training program. It gave me great satisfaction after they formed up and deployed to the desert.
Plans don t always turn out as designed, like they did during the Gulf War.
For instance, Vinson originally planned a quick return to police duties following his four-year minimum service time. Vinson says he ll miss the military lifestyle, in fact, I d stay if the statutes would allow it. I remember the good times . Deployments were long, but exciting, and I got every assignment I asked for. It s been outstanding definitely a non-typical career.