By AFRO Staff
Chief Warrant Officer Keith Ira Camper (Courtesy Photo)
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(November 5, 2009) - Chief Warrant Officer Keith Ira Camper is bringing his 30 years of service to the United States Navy to a close with a big celebration on Nov. 6. He is returning to his hometown of Cambridge , Md., to celebrate his retirement and career accomplishments with family and friends.
Camper joined the Navy in 1979, just months after his graduation from high school. After his basic training, he was assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk in San Diego, Calif., where he was for his first naval deployment lasting from April to November 1981.
After a year of training, he became an aviation structural mechanic and was promoted to petty officer third class. By 1983 he was a flying aviation structural mechanic for Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 and was deployed to a variety of places all over the world.
During his 30 years of service, Camper moved quickly through the ranks, receiving not only promotions, additional training and increasing level of responsibility, but other honors and awards. He has sailed from the shores of Haiti to the Adriatic, the Middle East to the Pacific Rim, learning from many and teaching many along the way.
As evidence of his exemplary service, Camper has received the three gold star Navy Marine Corps Naval Commendation Medal, seven Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medals and other individual and unit commendation awards.
In retirement, Chief Warrant Officer Camper will continue his public services. He has made a commitment to President Barack Obama's spirit of volunteerism and plans to mentor the youth in his community.
Camper's daughter Keishawna, grandson O'Dell (A.J.), and granddaughter Skyer (Momie) reside in Cambridge, Md. He resides in Virginia Beach, Va.