Navy reservist, Air Force civilian deploys to Africa

  • Published
  • By Mike Molina
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
DENVER --  After serving 14 months in the dangerous Iraqi Anbar province, Chief Petty Officer Robert Orton said his visit to Madagascar was about as good as a deployment can get.

"This was about partnership and friendship," Chief Orton said. "It was the kind of tour you write home about."

The Navy reservist and personnel technician in the Air Reserve Personnel Center's Directorate of Assignments deployed to Madagascar for three weeks in September as a part of the Navy's mission and contributions to the newly created U.S. Africa Command.

Chief Orton served on a three-person advance team and shore element for the USS Normandy, a Navy guided missile cruiser that was preparing to visit Madagascar on a humanitarian and diplomatic mission. 

"There were lots of moving parts, different languages and different government agencies," Chief Orton said. "A U.S. Navy ship hadn't visited Madagascar in more than 20 years." 

The team assessed the Malagasy ports' ability to accommodate a Navy war ship and ordered goods and supplies for the ship's arrival.

"I got a ticket and an authorization to spend money," he said. "We had to make sure there were fresh fruits, vegetables and canned goods. The ship's captain gave us a big shopping list and we made sure it got ordered."

Along with preparing for the ship's arrival, Chief Orton's team helped serve meals and refurbished a park during the deployment. 

The team put a fresh coat of paint on the gazebo in the city's music park and put lights up so it could be used at night.

"This was a great opportunity to help people and establish a strong relationship with another nation," Chief Orton said. 

In 2005 and 2006, Chief Orton deployed to Al Qaim, Iraq. During his tour in western Iraq, he led a team of logistics and equipment specialists serving more than 1,200 Navy construction battalion Sailors.

In August 2006, Chief Orton shared his experiences in Iraq as the guest speaker at ARPC's Warrior Day.