NAPCLI Alumni

CDR Frank Castellano:  Class of 1994

Frank Castellano, who grew up in Bellport, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He has attended the Naval Postgraduate School earning a Master of Science Degree in Systems Technology and the United States Naval War College, earning Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Commander Castellano was the commanding officer of the USS Bainbridge during the April 12, 2009, rescue of Captain Phillips from pirates off the coast of Somalia. Commander Castellano stated that as the winds picked up, tensions rose among the pirates and "we calmed them" and persuaded the pirates to be towed by the Bainbridge. On April 12, 2009, Capt. Richard Phillips was rescued, reportedly in good condition, from his pirate captors.  The rescue began when Commander Castellano determined that Phillips' life was in imminent danger and ordered the action.

LCDR Michael Widman :  Class of 2000

Mike Widman grew up in Nesconset. At the Academy, Mike played lacrosse.  Mike married to Stephanie Tullock, also a 2000 USNA graduate, and headed off to Japan for 2.5 years.  He attended and graduated the Post Naval Graduate School studying Space Systems Operations.  Presently they are in Norfolk Va,  Mike does training on the ships and is out between 3 weeks and 2 months at a time.  He has received orders to be deployed to Iraq twice but they have been recinded due to other plans the Navy had for him. 

LT Matthew McKenna:  Class of 2001                                                

LT McKenna, recently selected for Lieutenant Commander, returned from being deployed to the Middle East at the beginning of 2010 and is assigned to the LCS USS Freedom, one of the new class of ships that are faster and more technologically advanced than other ships in the fleet.  He is developing the model for the use of the USS Freedom in modern warfare.  LT McKenna has been stationed in Mayport, FL, Corpus Christi, TX and San Diego, CA.  When at the Academy, LT McKenna was a noteworthy part of the Legend of Free 19.  His mark on the Academy still stands.

2nd Lt Clare McKenna:  Class of 2009

Clare received her MOS – Air Support Officer and looks like she will be heading to 29 Palms for several months of training before her 3 year assignment in Okinawa.

Barbara Beal

Ensign Barbara K. Beal (USNA2010) selected the USS Jason Dunham, DDG 109, on Service Selection Night, because Jason was from New York and a hero who gave his life for his fellow Marines. The ship was a PCU (pre- commissioned Unit) to be commissioned on November 13, 2010, in Port Everglades, Florida. Ensign Beal proudly manned the rails as a, "plank owner" when Mrs. Dunham, Jason's mother, ordered the ship to, "Come alive!"  on that beautiful November day in Florida. She is serving a the Division Officer in the Navigation Department. The Dunham is stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.