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HomeNewsArchivesMilitary News of Virgin Islanders - July 2004

Military News of Virgin Islanders – July 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.
Navy Officer Radford Chinnery / St. Thomas
July 29, 2004(Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Radford F. Chinnery, a 1988 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, recently returned home after a scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean while assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Chinnery and his shipmates participated in Summer Pulse '04, the Navy's first exercise of its new operational construct, the Fleet Response Plan. Summer Pulse '04 demonstrated the Navy's ability to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters, with other U.S., allied and coalition military forces. It included scheduled deployments, surge operations, joint and international exercises, and other advanced training and port visits.
Carriers such as the USS Harry S. Truman 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.
Navy Airman Shaeme Ramos / St. Croix
July 29, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Airman Shaeme S. Ramos, son of Marjorie F. Ramos of Christiansted, recently returned home after a routine, scheduled deployment to the Persian Gulf while assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Ramos is a 2001 graduate of St. Croix Central High School. He joined the Navy in December 2002.
Ramos' ship returns home after providing vital support to ground troops in the effort to stabilize the newly liberated Iraq.
USS George Washington also participated is Summer Pulse '04, the Navy's first exercise of its new operational construct, the Fleet Readiness
Response Plan. Summer Pulse '04 is detailed in the above article.
Marine Corps Cpl. Jasen Jones / St. Croix
July 23, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) -Marine Corps Cpl. Jasen J. Jones, son of Corrine A. Jones of St. Croix, and more than 2,200 Marines and Sailors assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit recently deployed to Iraq.
The unit will stop at March Air Reserve Base in Southern California for specialized training in patrolling, operating vehicle checkpoints and responding to threats.
Jones' unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. MEUs are built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a combat service support element, a reinforced helicopter squadron and a command element. With its complement of fully integrated air and ground forces, the unit is ready to conduct real-world operations including amphibious, heliborne and boat raids, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, noncombatant evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance operations.
Jones, a 2001 graduate of Central High School, joined the Marine Corps in October 2001.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Arlene George / St. Croix
July 22, 2004 (Personal submission) – My name is Arlene George, SSgt (E-5), U.S. Air Force. I'm currently stationed at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan.
I'm a proud Crucian. My immediate family are Vera Gittens-George, mother; Austin George, brother (works for V.I. Housing Authority), and Leroy Lindsey, uncle (a fisherman). I graduated from St. Croix Central High school in 1984, and from Barber-Scotia College in '89.
My military training/occupation is in transportation (vehicle dispatcher).
Air Force Airman Ramon Roman Funez / St. Thomas
July 19, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Ramon E. Roman Funez, the son of Ramon Roman of St. Thomas, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
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.
The airman is a 2003 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Air National Guard Airman Amy P. Davis / St. Thomas
July 16, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Amy P. Davis, a 1997 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
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.
Editor's note: See the St. John Source for Davis' photo.
Army National Guard Pvt. Hope D. Hodge / St. Thomas
Army National Guard Pvt. Jonelle O. Smith / St. Thomas

July 15, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Hope D. Hodge, the daughter of Rivo Hodge of Bournefield, St. Thomas, has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
Army National Guard Pvt. Jonelle O. Smith, the daughter of Iris and George Smith of Estate Frydenhoj, has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Smith is a 2001 graduate of St. Thomas Seventh Day School.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldiers 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.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Winston Henry Jr. / St. Croix
July 8, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Staff Sgt. Winston P. Henry Jr., a 1998 graduate of St. Croix Education Complex, is a member of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard stationed at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., who provided support for the state funeral honoring former President Ronald W. Reagan in Washington.
Henry is the son of Winston P. and Mathilda Henry of Castle Coakley, Christiansted.
Honor Guard members were selected or volunteered to perform precision movements as a color guard or drill team member, participating in special duties to support the historic event of President Reagan's state funeral. Participating airmen performed duties which included standing guard along Washington streets and memorials during the funeral procession, escorting mourners and other dignitaries, and standing watch as a cordon guard alongside the National Mall or at the U.S. Capitol.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Rodney Fabio III / St. Croix
July 2, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Rodney A. Fabio III, son of Jeanette and Rodney A. Fabio of St. Croix, re
cently completed U.S.
Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Fabio 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.
Navy Seaman Recruit Kameka Govia / St. Thomas
July 1, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Recruit Kameka A. Govia, daughter of Annette A. Robles and Valentine E. Govia of St. Thomas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Govia is a 2002 graduate of Ivannna Evdora Kean High School.
During the eight-week program, Govia 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.
Army Pvt. Ismael Lampe / St. Croix
July 1, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Pvt. Ismael A. Lampe, the son of Mirza Lampe of Estate Sion Farm, Christiansted, has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the eight weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

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