Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in connection with the war against Iraq — those in the military and also those working with agencies providing emergency relief and/or humanitarian assistance. 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.
Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Latoya Greene / St. Croix
July 30, 2003 (Army & Air Force News) — Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Latoya S. Greene, a 2000 graduate of St. Croix Central 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.
Greene is the daughter of Bernice Allick of Kingshill, St. Croix.
Army Pfc. Michelle Velez / St. Croix
July 28, 2003 (Army & Air Force News) — Army Pfc. Michelle Velez, a 1997 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, 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.
Velez is the daughter of Mae Agnes Velez of St. Croix.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Shawn Connor / St. Croix
July 24, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Seaman Apprentice Shawn A. Connor, son of Rosella Connor of St. Croix, was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Connor received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Trainees studied general military subjects designed to prepare them for further academic and on-the-job training in one of the Navy's 85 basic occupational fields. Included in course studies were seamanship, close-order drill, Navy history and first aid.
Connor is a 2002 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
Navy Seaman Recruit Alford Forbes / St. Thomas
July 24, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Seaman Recruit Alford M. Forbes, son of Veronica E. Seagoud of St. Thomas and Alford W. Forbes, also of St. Thomas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
During the eight-week program, Forbes completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, 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," an exercise 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 core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Forbes is a 2002 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Army Warrant Office 1 Clarissa Buchanan / St. Croix
July 23, 2003 (Army & Air Force News) — Army Warrant Officer 1 Clarissa A. Buchanan, a 1990 graduate of St. Joseph High School, has arrived for duty at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
Buchanan, an ammunition technician, is the daughter of Wil Frank W. Barris of Strawberry Hill, St. Croix.
Air Force Staff Sgt. TieJie Jones / St. Croix
July 23, 2003 (Army & Air Force News) — TieJie A. Jones has been promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He is the son of Audrey B. Lescott of Lorraine Village, Fredericksted, and Austin H. Jones of Kingshill, Christiansted.
Jones is an aircraft armament systems technician assigned to the 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Va.
Navy officer Tyron L. Turnbull / St. Thomas
July 18, 2003 (Fleet News)–Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyron L. Turnbull, son of Hyacinth and Vernol L. Turnbull of St. Thomas, recently received the Navy Good Conduct Medal.
The Good Conduct Medal recognizes the service member's honest and faithful service during a three-year period. To earn it, Turnbull achieved and maintained a satisfactory level of performance and an unblemished conduct record for the entire period.
Turnbull is currently assigned with Strike Fighter Squadron 94, Naval
Air Station, Lemoore, Calif. Turnbull joined the Navy in June 2000.
Air Force cadet trainee Anna S. Garcia / St. Croix
July 17, 2003 (Army & Air Force News) — Anna S. Garcia. A 2002 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex, has entered basic cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Col., in preparation to enter the first academic year at the academy. The six-week, two-phased orientation program trains men and women to meet the rigorous mental and physical challenges of a cadet.
Phase one involves personal in-processing, orientation, and training in the fundamentals of being a cadet. Cadet trainees are prepared to adjust from civilian to military life, and learn proper wear of the uniform, drill and ceremony, marching, and living quarters standards.
During phase two, cadets train outdoors living in tents while learning to function in field conditions. Teamwork, cohesion and learning to deal with physically and mentally demanding situations are practiced. Trainees complete the obstacle, confidence, assault, and leadership reaction courses, and participate in a rescue mission termed Operation Warrior.
Garcia is the daughter of Ana Gloria Cardenas of Estate Ruby, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Navy Seaman Tamika Woods / St. Thomas
July 16, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Seaman Tamika J. Woods, daughter of Elodia P. Woods of St. Thomas, is currently assigned to the Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, recently commissioned at Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, Va.
Woods' ship, the ninth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, will be homeported in San Diego, Calif. USS Ronald Reagan will hold more than 5,500 Sailors and support approximately 75 aircraft.
Carriers like USS Ronald Reagan 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.
Woods is a 1999 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School. She joined the Navy in May 2002.
Marine Corps Pfc. Calvern Williams / St. Thomas
July 9, 2003 (Fleet News) — Marine Corps Pfc. Calvern A. Williams, son of Burnet I. and Alfred E. Williams of St. Thomas, recently graduated from Marine Security Guard School at Marine Corps Security Force Training Center, Chesapeake, Va.
During the course, Williams was taught the organization and functioning of the U.S. State Department's foreign service
, protection of classified material, interior guard duty, protocol, etiquette and ceremonial functions, locks and safes, fire prevention, and identification of bombs and incendiary devices.
Williams is a 2002 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School. He joined the Marine Corps in June 2002.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Amit Daswani / St. Croix
July 9, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Amit R. Daswani, son of Rochi Daswani of Christiansted, recently returned from the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Porter, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Daswani was one of more than 8,000 Atlantic Fleet Sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Battle Group who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His ship was one of the first of 30 U.S. Navy and coalition ships to launch Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles during military operations to disarm Iraq.
USS Porter is one of the most powerful warships ever put to sea. The computer-based AEGIS weapons system is the heart of the ship's war fighting capability. It centers around a powerful radar that enables the crew to detect, track and fire on more than 100 targets at a time.
Daswani is a 1996 graduate of Central High School. He joined the Navy in September 1997.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Herschel Cohen / St. Thomas
July 9, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Herschel T. Cohen, son of Edna Menyard of St. Thomas, recently returned from the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Porter, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
See information about the ship and its activities in the article immediately above.
Cohen is a 2001 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School. He joined the Navy in July 2001.
Marine Corps Pvt. Richard Ryan / St. Thomas
July 9, 2003 (Fleet News) — Marine Corps Pvt. Richard A. Ryan, son of Caroline C. Ryan of St. Thomas, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Ryan and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Ryan spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments to learn first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Ryan and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core values — honor, courage and commitment — and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Ryan and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as "Marines" for the first time in their careers.
Ryan is a 1998 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Army Sgt. Shenneth Gomes-Belle / St. Thomas
July 2, 2003 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) — Army Sgt. Shenneth J. Gomes-Belle has deployed overseas to a forward operating location to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction, weapons capabilities and delivery systems, and use of chemical and biological agents. The focus of the mission is to liberate the Iraqi people, preserve Iraq as a unified state, keep its territorial integrity intact, and help the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction.
The sergeant, a cargo specialist, is the daughter of Andrea D. Edwards of St. Thomas, and Linroy K. Gomes of Antigua. She is a 1994 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Navy officer Steve A. Hodge / St. Thomas
July 1, 2003 (Fleet Home Town News) — Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Steve A. Hodge, son of Ola M. Hodge of St. Thomas, recently made port visits to Townsville, Australia, and the Republic of Seychelles, Africa, while on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa, homeported in San Diego, Calif.
Hodge is one of more than 4,000 Pacific Fleet Sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group. Prior to the port visits, he was part of a coalition amphibious force that participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sailors and Marines aboard Hodge's ship had the opportunity to shop, sightsee and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.
USS Tarawa supports amphibious operations using landing craft air cushions which are specially designed hovercraft that travel above land and sea surfaces and deliver vehicles and equipment. The ship also has conventional landing craft and helicopters embarked, and is equipped with medical facilities staffed by Navy doctors, dentists, nurses and corpsmen.
Hodge joined the Navy in January 1990.
Army Sgt. Herbert Lake / St. Croix
July 1, 2003 (e-mail communication) — U.S. Army Sgt. Herbert Lake, born in Christiansted to Edmund Lake of Campo Rico and the late Ireta Lake, who died in May 2003, is stationed at the Army Garrison Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Ga. A 1989 graduate of Central High School, he's the brother of Army Capt. Helen Thomas.
He's been in the Army seven and a half years, and plans to retire.
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