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HomeNewsArchivesMilitary News of Virgin Islanders - January 2005

Military News of Virgin Islanders – January 2005

Editor's note: The Source newspapers continue to 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 Earl D. Lake / St. Thomas
Jan. 28, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Earl D. Lake, son of Merle R. and William W. Lake of St. Thomas, V.I., recently departed on a routine, scheduled deployment as part of Expeditionary Strike Group 5 while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius, homeported in San Diego.
Lake, a 1988 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, joined the Navy in April 1989.
During the deployment, Lake and his fellow shipmates helped the Spanish Red Cross to provide clean water for tsunami victims by transporting Spanish water purifiers to a remote area of Indonesia. USS Milius provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The ship and crew perform anti-submarine, air and surface warfare by using the Vertical Launching System, advanced Tomahawk and anti-aircraft missiles and a multi-function phased array radar. For more information on the deployment and high resolution photographs, visit the Navy NewsStand Web site.
Civilian Alberto V. Donastorg III / St. Thomas
Jan. 25, 2005 – (Fleet Hometown News)Civilian Alberto V. Donastorg III, son of Maria Concepcion and Alberto Donastorg of St. Thomas, V. I., recently enlisted in the United States Navy under the Delayed Entry Program at Navy Recruiting District Miami, Sunrise, Fla.
Donastorg will report for active duty to undergo basic training at the Navy's Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill.
Donastorg is a 2004 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
Seaman Apprentice Andre Burke / St. Croix
Jan. 21, 2005 Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Andre C. Burke, son of Angelita Bermudez of St. Croix, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Burke is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
During the eight-week program, Burke 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 Apprentice Alvin F. Lewis / St. Croix
Jan. 14, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Alvin F. Lewis, son of Mary N. Apeadu-Lewis and Lawrence W. Lewis of Frederiksted, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Lewis is a 2002 graduate of St. Croix Seventh Day Adventist School of Christiansted.
During the eight-week program, Lewis 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 Officer Eric E. Moorehead / St. John
Jan. 13, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Chief Petty Officer Eric E. Moorehead, son of Gwendolyn E. and Edward Moorehead of St. John, assigned to the dock-landing ship USS Harpers Ferry, forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, is currently underway in the Central Command Area of Operation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.
Dock-landing ships like USS Harpers Ferry transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assault operations.
Moorehead is one of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines embarked with the USS Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, which consist of USS Harpers Ferry, USS Essex, USS Juneau and USS Fort McHenry. The group's deployment is part of the repositioning of military forces to prepare for and support the President's campaign against terrorism.
Moorehead is a 1984 graduate of Central Islip Senior High School of Central Islip, N. Y. He joined the Navy in June 1984.
For more information on the deployment, visit the ship's Web site.
Navy Airman Ray Ralph / St. Thomas
Jan. 11, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Airman Ray D. Ralph, son of Charles W. Ralph of St. Thomas, and his fellow sailors recently delivered 75,000 pounds of humanitarian relief supplies to Indonesian tsunami relief victims, while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, homeported in San Diego.
Along with food and water Ralph's ship also delivered lumber, nails and plastic sheeting to build shelters and help set up the Spanish Red Cross medical aid station.
USS Bonhomme Richard deployed as Expeditionary Strike Group Five's flagship and embarked Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of the global war on terrorism. Ralph's ship's primary mission is to embark, deploy and land elements of a Marine landing force by helicopter, landing craft air cushion or amphibious assault vehicle. USS Richard Bonhomme is deploying under the Navy's new operational construct, the Fleet Response Plan.
Ralph is a 2003 graduate of St. Petersburg High School of St. Petersburg, Fla. He joined the Navy in January 2004.
For more information on the deployment and high resolution photographs, visit the USS Bonhomme's Web site.
Air Force Airman Jessica Morales / St. Croix
Jan. 10, 2005 (Army & Air Force News) – Air Force Airman Jessica E. Morales has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Morales, a 2004 graduate of the St. Croix Educational Complex, is the daughter of Barbara Nisbett of Estate Grove Place, 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.
Navy Seaman Recruit Taylor Reed / St. Thomas
Jan. 6, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News)– Navy Seaman Recruit Taylor T. Reed, son of Staci L. Reed of St. Thomas and Lynn Reed of Elmira, N.Y., recently completed U.S. Navy b
asic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Reed 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.
Reed is a 2004 graduate of Elmira Free Academy of Elmira, N.Y.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Ocano Julius / St. Croix
Jan. 6, 2005 (Fleet News) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Ocano Julius, nephew of Edmond S. and France P. Hodge of Kingshill, V.I., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Julius is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
During the eight-week program, Julius 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". (See above item for details of this exercise.)
Navy Seaman Sheldon Augustine / St. Thomas
Jan. 6, 2005 (Fleet News) – Navy Seaman Sheldon A. Augustine, son of Yvette and Andrew Augustine of St. Thomas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Augustine 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". (See previous item for details of this exercise.)
Navy Seaman Recruit Shakeem Petersen / St. Thomas
Jan. 6, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Recruit Shakeem J. Petersen, son of Diana and Wilbur Petersen of St. Thomas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
The recruit is a 2004 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
During the eight-week program, Petersen 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.
Airman Keenan Ryner / St. Croix
Jan. 5, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Keenan R. Ryner has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Ryner, a 2004 graduate of the St. Croix Educational Complex, is the grandson of John Ryner of 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.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamal A. Baxter, Jr. / St. Thomas
January 27, 2005(Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamal A. Baxter, Jr., son of Vivian C. Raymond of St. Thomas recently deployed to the
Caribbean while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Baxter and his shipmates will participate in New Horizons, a humanitarian assistance exercise in Haiti. The two-month-long exercise will support the rebuilding of schools and wells, and also provide medical support to the victims of Hurricane Jeanne.
Elements of the Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group will also conduct maritime interdiction operations training and multinational exercises with Marines from Honduras and Columbia.
Amphibious assault ships like USS Saipan deploy 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.
For more information about the USS Saipan and high-resolution photographs, visit their official Web site at www.saipan.navy.mil.

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