Cerny deployed to Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea and Japan

MADISON – Retired ICO Alan P. Cerny, SCPO, USN grew up in North Miami, Fla.

Cerny joined the U.S. Navy by Delayed Entry Program in 1981 and completed Boot Camp in Orlando, Fla. He was assigned to Naval Air Technical Training Center in Millington, Tenn.

His first assignment was Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. In 1984, he transferred to Sea Duty with VAQ-134 meeting the squadron in Subic Bay, Philippines and deploying onboard USS Carl Vinson.

Next, he transferred to VAQ-133 and made Mediterranean Sea deployments onboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43). In 1990, he returned to VAQ-129 to instruct Communications, Navigation, RADAR and Electronic Countermeasure systems of EA-6B Prowler aircraft.

“During this tour, I qualified as Aviation Warfare Specialist, Master Training Specialist and promoted to rank of Petty Officer First Class,” Cerny said.

With VAQ-138, he made two Persian Gulf deployments to Operation Southern watch onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He served in numerous Avionics jobs.

In 1996, the Cerny family moved from Whidbey Island, Wash. He reported as instructor at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Fla. and served as Avionics Branch Supervisor and Testing Branch Leading Chief. In 1998, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (CPO/E-7).

In 1999, they returned to Whidbey Island. He reported to Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron and worked in several chief roles. He deployed three times as Detachment Chief Petty Officer in Charge to Kadena Airbase, Okinawa, Japan. He supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in Bahrain.

In 2003 with VAQ-142, he made combat deployment to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He deployed to Marine Corps Station in Iwukuni, Japan. He was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO/E-8).

In his final assignment in 2006, he was Assistant Officer in Charge at Whidbey Island and oversaw 40 Government Civilian Equipment specialists. He transferred to Fleet Reserve and retired in May 2008.

Cerny then worked as New Equipment Fielder Trainer with ARINC. After training at Fort Monmouth, N.J., the family moved to Madison. In 2011, he started working as Civil Service Logistician for PM-AME and now is New Equipment Training Team Lead for all PM-AME products.

He received an associate’s degree in applied technologies from Excelsior College. Currently, he is studying for a bachelor’s degree. Cerny completed Level 3 DAWIA certification in logistics from Defense Acquisition University and is pursuing secondary certification in program management.

He and wife Lisa Hein Cerny are parents of three daughters. Daughters Heather and Alicia are 28 and 26 years old, respectively. Nicole Chandler, 31, and husband Jared have two daughters — Hayden, 10, and Marleigh, 4.

The family belongs to Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Alan serves as associate deacon, Sunday school teacher and with sanctuary choir. He is a member of American Legion, Post 229 in Madison.