CAPT Randall O. Abshier, USN (Ret.)

Solo, AOC Cadet, Saufley

 A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Captain Abshier graduated from Jacksonville University, August of 1968 with degrees in Mathematics and Physics.  He entered the Navy in September 1968 through the Aviation Officer Candidate School and was in the first “Reverse Flow” class, RF-1; two weeks AOCS indoctrination, one week flight training indoctrination, then reported to VT-1, Saufley Field to complete the T-34B syllabus, and then back to NAS to complete AOCS. He was commissioned as an Ensign in January 1969. He then reported to VT-3 for T-28 training, VT-5 for T-28 carrier quals (USS Independence, CVA-62), VT-6 for T-28 advanced instruments, and HT-8 for TH-57 basic and H-34 advanced helicopter training. He completed flight training and “winging” at Ellison Field, November 1969, Naval Aviation Number T-12646/R-10828.

Ensign Abshier was ordered to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as the Air Operations Maintenance Department’s Quality Assurance Officer and flew the UH-34 and later the HH-1 helicopters in support of the Navy’s Search and Rescue operations. He became the station’s NATOPS Officer in both helicopters. He was the HAC on 5 military & 4 civilian rescue missions. Additionally, he was qualified to fly in several of the station’s fixed wing aircraft: T-28 (NATOPS Officer), US2B (2P).  He also flew as copilot, often with the Navy’s last “AP”-E9 pilot, in the HU-16 Dumbo Sea Plan, C-131 and C117.

In October 1971, He reported to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron ONE (HS-1) at NAS Quonset Point, Rode Island, as a Replacement Pilot enroute to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron FIFTEEN (HS-15) at NAS Lakehurst, NJ. With HS-15, a Plank Owner, the first squadron to receive the SH-3H helicopter, he deployed aboard the USS Guam for the CNO’s Sea Control Ship evaluation. He also flew HS-15’s SH-3G, equipped with an E-1 radar deployable beneath the helicopter, used for Harrier air control. After the squadron moved to NAS Jacksonville, he deployed aboard USS Independence. He served as ASW Officer, Flight Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Aviation Safety Officer and Squadron’s first Safety Department Head. 

In October 1974, LT Abshier was assigned to HS Wing ONE (HSW-1), NAS Jacksonville, as the Safety Department Head and Assistant Operations Officer. There, he made significant contributions to the entire East Coast HS community by conceptualizing and then overseeing the eventual establishment of an HS training site at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), Andros Island, Bahamas. During this same period, he earned his master’s degree in Personnel Management and later his MBA.

In August 1977, LT Abshier reported as a student to the Naval War College, Newport, RI, and completed the Command and Staff course in the summer of 1978, a rare accomplishment for a LT to attend.

Following Replacement Pilot training at HS-1 in December 1978, LCDR Abshier reported to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS-7) where he served as Safety Department Head, Operations Department Head, and Aircraft Maintenance Department Head. He participated in two Mediterranean deployments while embarking aboard the USS Saratoga.

In January 1981, three months after returning from deployment, he transferred to Staff, Commander Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) that was deployed to the Mediterranean aboard USS John F. Kennedy. Serving as the ASW Operations Officer and later as the Chief Staff Officer for CVW-1, he also deployed aboard USS America for a North Atlantic cruise and then later a Mediterranean/Indian Ocean cruise. There he flew with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron ELEVEN (HS-11) as a HAC and with Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron THIRTY-TWO (VS-32) as a S-3A copilot.  In April 1983, after 5 months into the cruise, he departed the staff from the Indian Ocean and reported to Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific for Pre-Squadron XO indoctrinations.

In late May 1983, Commander Abshier reported as Executive Officer of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron EIGHT (HS-8) in San Diego, California and in July 1983 deployed with Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9) aboard the USS Ranger to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, Westpac/IO. After seven and half months, they returned in February 1984, and the squadron transferred to Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW-14) and immediately started workups aboard USS Constellation. In September 1984, Commander Abshier assumed command of the “Eightballers” of HS-8 and led the squadron through a highly successful 7 months Westpac/IO deployment. During this period, HS-8 was awarded the CNO Safety Award, Battle Efficiency “E” Award, Top Torpedo Delivery Award, and the Sikorsky Superior Maintenance Award.

In April 1986, following his command tour, he was assigned to Staff, Commander Antisubmarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet as the Readiness Officer for

West Coast Helicopter Antisubmarine squadrons.

In January 1987, he reported to Newport, RI for Ship PRE-Executive Officer training. Commander Abshier reported as the Executive Officer, USS Guam, Naval Station, Norfolk, VA in June 1987. Shortly after reporting, the ship started workups and then made a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Theater. The ship won the Battle “E” and the CNO Safety Award during this period.  Upon return from deployment, the ship went into dry dock for a 5-month major maintenance period.

In April 1989, Captain Abshier transferred to Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic to start aircraft familiarization and pipeline training at the various FRSs for the SH-60B, SH-2, P-3C, and S-3A/B. He later reported to HS-1 for SH-3H Pilot refresher training and then initial Pilot Qualified in Model training at HS-10 for the SH-60F.

Captain Abshier assumed command of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron ONE (VX-1) in January 1990. VX-1 was the Navy’s largest Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron consisting of over 20 aircraft: an E-6A, P-3’s, S-3’s, SH-2’s, SH-60B’s, SH-3H’s, SH-60F’s, and HH-60H’s. The  Squadron’s manning was over 1200 enlisted and over 100 Officers.  During this period, the squadron was responsible for the Operational Testing & Evaluation (OPEVAL) of the SH-60F and the HH-60H and completion of the S-3B’s eval. It also conducted evals on other various aircraft/ASW systems upgrades to the P-3C, SH-2, SH-3 and H-53.  Additionally, the squadron conducted the eval for fleet introduction of the E-6A (Boeing 707) Tacamo aircraft, the MK-50 Antisubmarine torpedo, and the Navy’s V-22. The Squadron was awarded the Golden Anchor during this period.

In late November 1991, Captain Abshier reported as Commander, Helicopter Wing ONE (HSW-1).  The Wing was responsible for the Operational and Administrative Support of six Atlantic Fleet HS Squadrons and the Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS), flying the SH-3 H/G’s and SH-60F/H’s helicopters. The Wing was responsible for the fleet squadron’s shore-based training/inspections, shore-based squadron spaces, training facilities, and all pilot/aircrew helicopter training devices/simulators. During this period, the Wing was responsible for the transition from the SH-3H to the SH-60F/H for two fleet HS squadrons and the FRS. In January 1993, HSW-1 changed its name to Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing Atlantic (HSWL) and reported directly to Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic.  In Jul 1993, Captain Abshier detached as the Wing Commander.

In July 1993, Captain reported as Commander, Training Air Wing FIVE (TRAWING-5) at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL. The Base Commanding Officer, 3 VT and 2 HT Squadron Commanding Officers reported directly to him. His command was also responsible for over 1000 Navy, Marines Corps, Coast Guard, and foreign flight students.  The Wing’s aircraft inventory consisted of 225 T-34’s and 150 H-57’s for Primary and Intermediate Fixed Wing and Primary/Advanced Helicopter training which the Wing daily assigned to the squadrons. The command was responsible for all ground school classes and simulators’ daily schedules.  The Wing was also responsible for all the VT and HT Instructor’s training/qualifications prior to squadron assignment. The Wing was responsible for all the training devices/simulators and the oversight of the civilian aircraft maintenance and simulator maintenance/Instructors’ contracts. The Wing made all the flight students’ selection for Advance Jet, Multi Engine, and Advance Rotary pipelines.

In June 1995, He reported as one of the 4 Captain Training Directors at Chief of Naval Education and Training. The division was responsible for budget requests/allocations and curriculum management for Boot Camp, Leadership Continuum Training (Officer, Enlisted, PXO/PCO and Senior Enlisted Academy), Core Value/GMT, and its assigned “A” and “C” schools.

He retired from the Navy in June 1999. Captain Abshier has over 6000 flight hours and has flown the T-34B/C, T-28B/C (carrier qualified), H-19, H-34, H-1, C-117, C-131, HU-16 seaplane, US-2B, SH-3 D/G/H, SH-2, SH-60B/F, HH-60H, S-3A/B, P-3C, E-6A, V-22, AH-1J, H-46, H-53, TH-57B/C, and T-6.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit (5), Meritorious Services Medal (2), Air Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation (8), Battle Efficiency “E” Ribbon (4), National Defense Service Medal (2), and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (7). He was a Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) Trustee 92-96. NHA Lifetime Member #1000.

Captain Abshier married to his college sweetheart in 1966, the former Dianne Brassfield of Jacksonville, Florida. They have two sons, Randy Jr. and Gary, 5 grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren. His hobbies include distance road bike riding, Olympic length Triathlons, and kayaking.