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HomeNewsArchivesMILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS - MARCH 2004

MILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS – MARCH 2004

Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see separate files in this section.
Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to source@viaccess.net. 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.
Airman Kevin J. George / St. Thomas
March 25, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin J. George has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
George, son of Rolland George of St. Thomas, is a 2003 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Air Force Reserve Airman Glenties Jacobs / St. Croix
March 25, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Glenties C. Jacobs has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman is a 1991 graduate of St. Croix Central High School and a 2002 graduate of DeVry University, Decatur, Ga.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Airman Marlon Sam / St. Croix
March 23, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Marlon A. Sam has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Sam, son of Reginald and Cheryl C. Sam of Kingshill, St. Croix, graduated in 2000 from St. Joseph High School in Frederiksted.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Army National Guard Pvt. Cosme Harrison / St. Thomas
March 19, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Cosme J. Harrison has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
Harrison, a 2003 graduate of Wesleyan Academy, St. Thomas, is the son of Kathleen Pero of Ross Taarneberg, St. Thomas, and the brother of Shelly Ann Sullivan of Garland, Texas.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice 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.
Navy Seaman Curtis S. Taylor / St. Croix
March 15, 2004 (Fleet News)–Navy Seaman Curtis S. Taylor, son of Margaret
Thompson of Frederiksted, recently made a port visit to the Seychelles Islands while in the middle of a routine, scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the Spruance-class destroyer USS Thorn, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
The islands are just south of the Equator in the Indian Ocean. While in the Seychelles, Taylor and his fellow shipmates enjoyed several sponsored events including a steel beach picnic and a successful casino night on the mess deck with fake money.
The primary mission of Taylor's ship is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. This will be USS Thorn's final deployment, as the ship is scheduled for decommissioning in 2004 after 23 years of active Navy service.
Taylor joined the Navy in June 2002.
Navy Officer Vince Vanterpool / St. Thomas
March 15, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Chief Petty Officer Vince V. Vanterpool, son of Germaine and Vincent Vanterpool of St. Thomas, recently made a port visit to the Seychelles Islands, while in the middle of a routine, scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the Spruance-class destroyer USS Thorn, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
The islands are just south of the Equator in the Indian Ocean. While in the Seychelles, Vanterpool and his fellow shipmates enjoyed several sponsored events including a steel beach picnic and a successful casino night on the mess deck with fake money.
The primary mission of Vanterpool's ship is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. This will be USS Thorn's final deployment, as the ship is scheduled for decommissioning in 2004 after 23 years of active Navy service.
Vanterpool is a 1989 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School. He joined the Navy in February 1989.
Army Pvt. Montgomery M. Philip / St. Croix
March 11, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Montgomery M. Philip, son of Michael M. Philip of Christiansted, St. Croix, has graduated from basic combat military training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
During the eight weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction in drill and ceremonies, rifle marksmanship, weapons, map reading, tactics, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, Army history, core values and traditions, and special training in human relations.
Army Pvt. Dwayne A. Hodge / St. Thomas
March 11, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Dwayne A. Hodge, son of Letetia Penn-Rodgers of St. Thomas, 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, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice 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.
Navy Seaman Brian McCarthy / St. Croix
March 9, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Seaman Brian N. McCarthy, son of Judy Clarke
of Christiansted, St. Croix, recently made a port visit to Shanghai, China, while assigned to the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
While in China the Sailors and Marines of McCarthy's unit had the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and interact with their counterparts from the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This is the first port visit Blue Ridge has made to mainland China in three years.
McCarthy's ship serves as the Seventh Fleet command ship, with a crew of more than 800 Sailors. The Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility includes more than 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. As Asia continues to develop rapidly, the Seventh Fleet will stay engaged, promoting growth and ensuring the free flow of trade that is vital to all
nations.
McCarthy joined the Navy in September 2000.
Navy Officer Terrance Ritter / St. Croix
March 9, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Terrance W. Ritter, son of Bernice and Monroe Clendenen of Christiansted, St. Croix, recently made a port visit to Shanghai, China, while assigned to the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
While in China the Sailors and Marines of Ritter's unit had the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and interact with their counterparts from the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This is the first port visit Blue Ridge has made to mainland China in three years.
Ritter, a 2000 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, joined the Navy in July 2000.
Navy Officer James Slaughter / St. Thomas, St. Croix
March 5, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class James M. Slaughter, whose wife, Cleo, is the daughter of Ceicely O. Burke of St. Croix, and Monteclair Burke of St. Thomas, recently returned home from a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla.
Slaughter is one of more than 6,500 Sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. The strike group was the first to deploy since the end of major operations in Iraq.
During the deployment, members of Slaughter's unit supported the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise by protecting it from air, surface and subsurface threats. The crew of Gettysburg also participated in community relations projects in Bahrain.
Cruisers like USS Gettysburg are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons available.
Army Pvt. Hadia Descartes / St. Thomas
March 4, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Pvt. Hadia H. Descartes has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
A 2003 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, she is the daughter of Ursula Descartes of Estate Tutu, St. Thomas.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice 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.
Navy Petty Officer Tyron Turnbull / St. Thomas
March 2, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News)–Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyron L. Turnbull, son of Hyacinth and Vernol L. Turnbull of St. Thomas, recently received a Letter of Commendation while assigned with Strike Fighter Squadron 94, Naval Air Station, Lemoore, Calif.
Turnbull was recognized for his superior performance of duty. Displaying remarkable dedication and initiative, Turnbull consistently performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner.
Turnbull joined the Navy in June 2000.
Navy Officer Carl Christopher / St. Thomas
Navy Officer Barry Emanuel / St. Thomas
Navy Lt. Mzcah Harley / St. Thomas
March 1, 2004 – (Fleet News) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Carl Christopher, son of Annie Christopher of St. Thomas; Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Barry M. Emanuel; Mzcah B. Harley, son of Barbara Harley of New York City and Aubrey W. Harley of St. Thomas; and their fellow crewmembers recently returned from a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
The Navy officers were three of more than 6,500 Sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. Enterprise was the first U.S. aircraft carrier to deploy since the end of major military operations in Iraq.
During the deployment their unit spent most of its time in the
Arabian Gulf region. Enterprise's 80-plane air wing flew more than 19,000 flight hours, conducted 8,000 sorties and seven precision bombing strikes over Iraq.
Carriers such as USS Enterprise are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.
Christopher joined the Navy in December 2000, and Harley joined the Navy in February 1994. Emanuel is a 2000 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.

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