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Military News of Virgin Islanders for December

Editor’s note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see previous months’ files in this section. Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to visource@gmail.com. Provide the individual’s full name, age, rank, service branch or organization, home island, immediate family members in the Virgin Islands, brief description of education and training, and, if possible, a description of where the person is based or has been deployed. Please limit the information to about 200 words. We welcome photos.
Air Force Reserve Airman Rick E. Baron
Air Force Reserve Airman Rick E. Baron/St. Thomas
Dec. 9, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Reserve Airman Rick E. Baron graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Ursuline Baron of Estate Fortuna, and Henryson Baron, both of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Army Reserve Pvt. Jeffrey A. Miranda/St. Croix
Dec. 7, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Reserve Pvt. Jeffrey A. Miranda has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. He received instruction and practice in physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
He is the son of Janice Miranda of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Miranda is a 2008 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
Navy Seaman Kelvin H. Rogers/St.Thomas
Dec. 3, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Kelvin H. Rogers, a 2005 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas, V. I., along with sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), Norfolk, Va., and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Camp Lejeune, N. C., recently departed the 5th Fleet and entered 6th Fleet’s area of operations after traveling through the Suez Canal and entering the Mediterranean Sea. The BATARG is preparing to return to the U.S. as it nears the end of a six-month deployment.
The BATARG has been conducting maritime security operations while the 22nd MEU participated in several theater security cooperation engagements and exercises in 5th Fleet’s area of operation. The 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses 2. 5 million square miles of water and includes the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.
While deployed, Bataan launched 10 MV-22B Ospreys from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in three waves, completing the 510 nautical-mile flight to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in just over two hours. The aircraft were part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) and were attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 to serve as part of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s aviation combat element. The 22nd MEU was the first Marine Expeditionary Unit to conduct a ship-based deployment with the tiltrotor aircraft. VMM-263 (Rein) attached to the MEU in September 2008 and was the first squadron to deploy with the aircraft to Iraq in 2007.
The Osprey was also used to conduct multiple medical evacuations from ship to shore during the deployment and was employed to conduct logistics flights to Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Italy; Djibouti, Africa; and Bahrain. For more than a month, the squadron supported desert training while the MEU trained ashore in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. During the bi-annual exercise Bright Star 2009, U.S. forces teamed with coalition forces including the Egyptian army and navy, Pakistani marines and Kuwaiti marines to storm Egyptian beaches near Alexandria simulating an amphibious assault in October. Twelve aircraft from the MEU, five landing craft from the Bataan ARG, two Egyptian landing craft utilities, six amphibious assault vehicles, five Egyptian amphibious tracked vehicles and a host of forces from other partner nations also participated in the bi-annual event. Bright Star, the longest running exercise in the U.S. Central Command’s area of operations, was established in 1981 as a result of the Camp David Peace Accords. The CENTCOM and Egyptian co-sponsored exercise is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships and improve readiness and interoperability between U.S., Egyptian, and coalition forces.
ARGs usually include an amphibious squadron (PHIBRON), an amphibious assault ship (LHA/D), amphibious transport dock (LPD), dock landing ship (LSD), embarked Naval support elements and an embarked MEU. The Bataan ARG is composed of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 6, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, ACU 4 and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 2. The BATARG and 22nd MEU provide the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, as well as littoral and inland environments in support of the Navy’s Maritime Strategy. The 22nd MEU is composed of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced); Combat Logistics Battalion 22 and its command element. The unit is serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command.
Navy Seaman Rogers joined the Navy in July 2005.
For more information on Bataan, visit www. bataan. navy. mil and www. navy. mil/local/lhd5/
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ivan McClean Jr./St.Thomas
Dec. 3, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ivan McClean Jr., son of Joan C. and Ivan McClean of Charlotte Amaile, V. I., along with sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), Norfolk, Va., and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Camp Lejeune, N. C., recently departed the 5th Fleet and entered 6th Fleet’s area of operations after traveling through the Suez Canal and entering the Mediterranean Sea. The BATARG is preparing to return to the U.S. as it nears the end of a six-month deployment.
The BATARG has been conducting maritime security operations while the 22nd MEU participated in several theater security cooperation engagements and exercises in 5th Fleet’s area of operation. The 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses 2. 5 million square miles of water and includes the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.
While deployed, Bataan launched 10 MV-22B Ospreys from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in three waves, completing the 510 nautical-mile flight to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in just over two hours. The aircraft were part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) and were attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 to serve as part of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s aviation combat element. The 22nd MEU was the first Marine Expeditionary Unit to conduct a ship-based deployment with the tiltrotor aircraft. VMM-263 (Rein) attached to the MEU in September 2008 and was the first squadron to deploy with the aircraft to Iraq in 2007.
The Osprey was also used to conduct multiple medical evacuations from ship to shore during the deployment and was employed to conduct logistics flights to Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Italy; Djibouti, Africa; and Bahrain. For more than a month, the squadron supported desert training while the MEU trained ashore in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. During the bi-annual exercise Bright Star 2009, U.S. forces teamed with coalition forces including the Egyptian army and navy, Pakistani marines and Kuwaiti marines to storm Egyptian beaches near Alexandria simulating an amphibious assault in October. Twelve aircraft from the MEU, five landing craft from the Bataan ARG, two Egyptian landing craft utilities, six amphibious assault vehicles, five Egyptian amphibious tracked vehicles and a host of forces from other partner nations also participated in the bi-annual event. Bright Star, the longest running exercise in the U.S. Central Command’s area of operations, was established in 1981 as a result of the Camp David Peace Accords. The CENTCOM and Egyptian co-sponsored exercise is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships and improve readiness and interoperability between U.S., Egyptian, and coalition forces.
ARGs usually include an amphibious squadron (PHIBRON), an amphibious assault ship (LHA/D), amphibious transport dock (LPD), dock landing ship (LSD), embarked Naval support elements and an embarked MEU. The Bataan ARG is composed of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 6, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, ACU 4 and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 2. The BATARG and 22nd MEU provide the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, as well as littoral and inland environments in support of the Navy’s Maritime Strategy. The 22nd MEU is composed of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced); Combat Logistics Battalion 22 and its command element. The unit is serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class McClean is a 1996 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of Charlotte Amaile, V. I. and joined the Navy in March 1998.
For more information on Bataan, visit www. bataan. navy. mil and www. navy. mil/local/lhd5/
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Hilton T. Huggins/St. Croix
Dec. 3, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Hilton T. Huggins, son of Marion Caines of Frederiksted, St. Croix, V. I., along with sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), Norfolk, Va., and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Camp Lejeune, N. C., recently departed the 5th Fleet and entered 6th Fleet’s area of operations after traveling through the Suez Canal and entering the Mediterranean Sea. The BATARG is preparing to return to the U.S. as it nears the end of a six-month deployment.
The BATARG has been conducting maritime security operations while the 22nd MEU participated in several theater security cooperation engagements and exercises in 5th Fleet’s area of operation. The 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses 2. 5 million square miles of water and includes the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.
While deployed, Bataan launched 10 MV-22B Ospreys from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in three waves, completing the 510 nautical-mile flight to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in just over two hours. The aircraft were part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) and were attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 to serve as part of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s aviation combat element. The 22nd MEU was the first Marine Expeditionary Unit to conduct a ship-based deployment with the tiltrotor aircraft. VMM-263 (Rein) attached to the MEU in September 2008 and was the first squadron to deploy with the aircraft to Iraq in 2007.
The Osprey was also used to conduct multiple medical evacuations from ship to shore during the deployment and was employed to conduct logistics flights to Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Italy; Djibouti, Africa; and Bahrain. For more than a month, the squadron supported desert training while the MEU trained ashore in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. During the bi-annual exercise Bright Star 2009, U.S. forces teamed with coalition forces including the Egyptian army and navy, Pakistani marines and Kuwaiti marines to storm Egyptian beaches near Alexandria simulating an amphibious assault in October. Twelve aircraft from the MEU, five landing craft from the Bataan ARG, two Egyptian landing craft utilities, six amphibious assault vehicles, five Egyptian amphibious tracked vehicles and a host of forces from other partner nations also participated in the bi-annual event. Bright Star, the longest running exercise in the U.S. Central Command’s area of operations, was established in 1981 as a result of the Camp David Peace Accords. The CENTCOM and Egyptian co-sponsored exercise is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships and improve readiness and interoperability between U.S., Egyptian, and coalition forces.
ARGs usually include an amphibious squadron (PHIBRON), an amphibious assault ship (LHA/D), amphibious transport dock (LPD), dock landing ship (LSD), embarked Naval support elements and an embarked MEU. The Bataan ARG is composed of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 6, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, ACU 4 and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 2. The BATARG and 22nd MEU provide the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, as well as littoral and inland environments in support of the Navy’s Maritime Strategy. The 22nd MEU is composed of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced); Combat Logistics Battalion 22 and its command element. The unit is serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Huggins is a 1990 graduate of St. Croix Central High School of Kingshill, V. I. and joined the Navy in April 1991.
For more information on Bataan, visit www. bataan. navy. mil and www. navy. mil/local/lhd5/
Army National Guard Pvt. Alana G. Hector/St. Croix
Dec. 15, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pvt. Alana G. Hector has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. She received instruction and practice in physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, the military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
She is the daughter of Anthony Hector of Christiansted, Virgin Islands, and Gwenneth Hazel-Mangum of Amsterdam Ave., New York, N.Y.
Hector is a 2007 graduate of A. Philip Randolph High School, New York.
Army Pvt. Karolynne A. Baptiste/St. Thomas
Dec. 15, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Pvt. Karolynne A. Baptiste has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. She received instruction and practice in physical fitness in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
She is the daughter of Carolyn Jackson of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Baptiste is a 2008 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Cynthia K. Espinosa/St. Croix
Dec. 15, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Cynthia K. Espinosa graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Espinosa is a 2005 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex High School, Frederiksted, Virgin Islands.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Dwyana R. Smithen/St. Thomas
Dec.16, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Dwyana R. Smithen recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, the seaman apprentice completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.
Smithen is the niece of Janice V. Hodge of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Army National Guard Sgt. Damita V. Furlonge/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Sgt. Damita V. Furlonge has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants; to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Furlonge, a property book noncommissioned officer with nine years of military service, is normally assigned to the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
She is the daughter of Alfred J. and Christobelle V. Furlonge of Dronnigens Cage, St. Thomas.
The sergeant is a 2000 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Army National Guard Warrant Officer 1 Diane B. Wescott/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Warrant Officer 1 Diane B. Wescott has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Wescott, a property book officer with 20 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
She is the daughter of Isa Wescott of Estate Thomas, St. Thomas.
The warrant officer graduated in 1989 from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and received a master’s degree in 2005 from the University of the Virgin Islands, both of St. Thomas.
Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Fitzroy R. Tutein/St. Croix
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Fitzroy R. Tutein has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Tutein, a force protection superintendent with 21 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Leonard B. Francis Armory, U.S. Virgin Islands.
He is the son of Veronique T. Fedee and Fritz P. Tutein of Mary S. Fancy St., St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The sergeant first class is a 1987 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Army National Guard Sgt. Delicia G. Henley/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Sgt. Delicia G. Henley has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Henley, a facilities supervisor with nine years of military service, is normally assigned to the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
She is the daughter of Judith A. Dawson of Estate Bovoni, and George K Greenaway of Estate Thomas, both of St. Thomas.
The sergeant is a 1992 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas.
Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Sherrianne L. McFarlane/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Sherrianne L. McFarlane has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
McFarlane, a human resource specialist with 20 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
She is the daughter of Norma A. Christian of Concordia St., Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Army National Guard Maj. Cipriani A. Phillip Jr./St. Croix
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Maj. Cipriani A. Phillip Jr. has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Phillip, a deputy communications officer with 19 years of military service, is normally assigned to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
He is the son of Riavelette A. Reyes of Marshill Ave., and Charles Farrell of Estate Smithfield, both of Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The major graduated in 1985 from Seventh Day Adventist High School, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands, and received a bachelor’s degree in 1989 from Barber-Scotia College, Concord, N.C.
Army National Guard Lt. Col. Patricia A. Charles/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Lt. Col. Patricia A. Charles has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Charles, a joint task force transportation deputy officer with 27 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
She is the daughter of Gloria E. Donovan of La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Melvin A. Donovan of Tavor and Harmony St., St. Thomas.
The colonel graduated in 1980 from Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the University of Phoenix, Ariz.
Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Bailey/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Bailey has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Bailey, a noncommissioned officer with 19 years of military service, is normally assigned to the Headquarters Company, 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
He is the son of Kelvin Bailey and Emelda Bailey, both of Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas.
Air National Guard Capt. Cindy Messiah-Cuencas/St. Croix
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air National Guard Capt. Cindy Messiah-Cuencas has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants, and to conduct interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence; and ensure and support coordination among government agencies involved in the detention of suspected terrorists.
Messiah-Cuencas, a logistics management officer with 21 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 201st Combat Communications Group at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
She is the daughter of Rupert Massiah of Tide Village, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The captain graduated in 1983 from Central High School, Christiansted, and received a master’s degree in 2008 from Central Michigan University through the military extension program at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
Army National Guard Pvt. Javonn F. Williams/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pvt. Javonn F. Williams has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. He received instruction and practice in physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
He is the son of Cheryl Tuitt of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and brother of Cherisa Williams of Cottage Place, Greensboro, N.C.
Williams is a 2009 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas.
Army Pvt. Pedro Castillo/St. Croix
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Pvt. Pedro Castillo has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. He received instruction and practice in physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
Castillo is the son of Catalina Vegas of LBJ Gardens, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and stepson of Edgardo Santana of M St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Army Pfc. Nikita J. Turnbull/St. Thomas
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Pfc. Nikita J. Turnbull has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. He received instruction and practice in physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
Turnbull earned distinction as an honor graduate.
He is the son of Annette Turnbull of Bovoni Blvd. E., St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Gervin Turnbull of W. 18th St., West Palm Beach, Fla. The private is a 2007 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Army National Guard Pvt. Steven James/St. Croix
Dec. 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pvt. Steven James has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. He received instruction and practice in physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
James is the son of Vivian James of Gallows Bay, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands.

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