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HomeNewsArchivesMilitary News of Virgin Islander - March 2006

Military News of Virgin Islander – March 2006

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 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.
Air Force Captain Alida E. Forbes/St. Thomas
March 6, 2006 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Alida E. Forbes has been promoted to the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Forbes, a launch mission manager with 20 years of military service, is assigned to the 4th Space Launch Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, Calif.
Her husband, Vernon, is the son of Cecil O. Forbes of Contant, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The captain received a bachelor's degree in 2001 from the University of Maryland through the military extension program.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tamika V. Woods/St. Thomas

March 8, 2006 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tamika V. Woods, daughter of Elodia Woods of St. Thomas, V. I., and her fellow shipmates made a five-day port visit to Brisbane, Australia while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, homeported in San Diego.
In early January, USS Ronald Reagan began its maiden western Pacific deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and maritime security operations (MSO). The port visit was an opportunity for sailors to participate in community service projects while also visiting tourist attractions and experiencing the Australian culture.
During the visit, sailors volunteered at the local children's and women's hospitals, helped restore an Australian World War II frigate at the Queensland Maritime Museum and cleaned a training facility for emergency medical technicians.
MSO sets the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and supports the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO denies international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons and other materials.
Carriers like USS Ronald Reagan are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in time 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.
Woods is a 1999 graduate of Charlotte High School of St. Thomas, V.I.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Jesse M. Gallagher/St. Thomas
March 9, 2006 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Jesse M. Gallagher, son of Donna R. Gallagher of Virginia Beach, Va. And James J. Gallagher of St. Thomas, V. I., was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Gallagher received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Training 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.
Gallagher is a 1999 graduate of Virginia Beach Friends School of Virginia Beach, Va.
Army Spec. Jerome J. Blyden/St. Thomas
March 16,2006 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army Spec. Jerome J. Blyden has graduated from the Quartermaster and Chemical Equipment Repairer Advanced Individual Training (AIT) course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md.
The course is designed to train soldiers to perform direct and general support maintenance on chemical equipment, quartermaster machinery, air heaters and special purpose equipment. Students are trained to maintain and repair electrical and mechanical systems on fuel heaters, pumps, filters, generators, water purification and decontamination systems, and laundry washers and dryers.
Blyden is the son of Margaret E. Rawlings of Estate Pillsbury Heights, and brother of Alicia J. Blyden of Estate Fortuna, both of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The specialist graduated in 1994 from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas. He received an associate degree in 2000, and a bachelor's degree in 2005, both from the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas.
Navy Seaman Robert M. Holder Jr./St. Thomas

March 21, 2006, (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Robert M. Holder Jr., son of Delta C. Bryan and Robert M. Holder Sr., both of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, recently graduated from recruit training and was presented the Military Excellence Award at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
The award is presented to the single recruit who best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, professional and academic achievement, military appearance and behavior, self-discipline and teamwork.
During the training cycle, recruits are taught general military subjects designed to prepare them for further academic and on-the-job training in one of the Navy's 85 occupational fields. Studies also include seamanship, close-order-drill, naval history and first aid.
Holder is a 2005 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V. I.
Army Spec. Sherron M. Thomas/St. Thomas
March 28, 2006(Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army Spec. Sherron M. Thomas has graduated from the Automated Logistical Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
The course is designed to train soldiers to establish and maintain stock records and other documents such as inventory, material control, accounting and support reports, and automated and manual accounting records. They also learn to perform stock record/warehouse functions pertaining to receipt, storage, distribution and issue and maintain equipment records and parts; review and verify bills of lading, contracts, and purchase orders; and repair and construct shipping crates for equipment and supplies. They can also perform prescribed loads and shop stock lists in manual and automated supply applications.
Thomas is the daughter of Ellis Thomas of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
She received a bachelor's degree in 2005 from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, San Juan.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tamika Woods/St. Thomas
March 28, 2006 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tamika Woods, daughter of Elodia Woods of St. Thomas, V. I., and her fellow shipmates assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan made a port visit to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates while on a scheduled deployment as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7.
The port visit gave Woods' unit a chance to experience a different culture and strengthen the relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the coalition of maritime forces. CSG-7 has been conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the 5th Fleet area of operations.
MSO sets the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and supports the counter-terrorism and security ef
forts of regional nations. It denies international terrorists use of the seas as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other materials. Carriers like Ronald Reagan are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in time 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.
Woods is a 1999 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School of St. Thomas, V. I. and joined the Navy in May 2002.
Army Pvt. Chenelle R. Hendricks/St. Croix
March 20, 2006 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Chenelle R. Hendricks has graduated from the Automated Logistical Specialist Advanced Individual Training (AIT) course at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
The course is designed to train soldiers to establish and maintain stock records and other documents such as inventory, materiel control, accounting and support reports, automated and manual accounting records. Soldiers also learn to perform stock record/warehouse functions pertaining to receipt, storage, distribution and issue and maintain equipment records and parts; review and verify bills of lading, contracts, and purchase orders; repair and construct shipping crates for equipment and supplies, and perform prescribed loads and shop stock lists in manual and automated supply applications.
Hendricks is the daughter of Hyacinth P. Hendricks of Estate Humbug,
Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
The private is a 2005 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex,
Kingshill, V.I.
Army Pvt. Amanda Dorville/St. Croix
March 29, 2006 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Amanda Dorville has graduated from the Automated Logistical Specialist Advanced Individual Training (AIT) course at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
The course is designed to train soldiers to establish and maintain stock records and other documents such as inventory, materiel control, accounting and support reports, automated and manual accounting records. Students learn to perform stock record/warehouse functions pertaining to receipt, storage, distribution and issue and maintain equipment records and parts; review and verify bills of lading, contracts, and purchase orders; repair and construct shipping crates for equipment and supplies, and perform prescribed loads and shop stock lists in manual and automated supply applications.
Dorville is the daughter of Marie and stepdaughter of Alexander Solomon of Williams Delight, Frederiksted, Virgin Islands.
The private graduated in the year 2000 from St. Croix Educational Complex.
Air Force Airman Eliana L. Schuster/St. Croix
March 30, 2006 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Eliana L. Schuster has arrived for duty at Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, Mo.
She is the daughter of Ernst and Elaine Schuster of Estate Clairmont, Kingshill, Virgin Islands.
The airman is a 2005 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School, Frederiksted, V.I.

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