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HomeNewsArchivesMilitary News of Virgin Islanders - July 2005

Military News of Virgin Islanders – July 2005

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.

Army Pfc. Keith G. Nicholas Completes Training/St. Thomas
July 6, 2005 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pfc. Keith G. Nicholas has graduated from the Light-wheeled Vehicle Mechanic advanced individual training (AIT) course at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
The course is designed to train soldiers to perform maintenance, troubleshoot and repair wheeled vehicles and related mechanical components. These include: suspension systems, internal combustion engines and power trains, spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines, wheel-hub assemblies, hydraulic brake and steering systems. He also learned how to operate a wheeled vehicle crane, hoist, and winch assemblies.
Nicholas is the son of Peter G. and Nancy L. Nicholas of St. Thomas,
Virgin Islands.
He is a 2003 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.

Army Sgt. Ryan E. Joseph Re-enlists/St. Thomas
July 6, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Sgt. Ryan E. Joseph has re-enlisted in the U.S. Army after four years of military service. He was sworn in by the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Peter Schoomaker.
Joseph graduated in 2000 from Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Major John A. Knight Graduates from Army College/St. Thomas
July 7, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Maj. John A. Knight has graduated from the command and general staff officer course at the Army Command and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth, Kan. The college is the Army's senior tactical school. The 10-month course is designed to educate selected mid-career officers in the conduct of military operations during war and conditions other than war according to established doctrine. The officers can, therefore, confidently accept higher levels of responsibility, especially at the corps and division levels.
Graduates are trained in tactical and technical combined arms proficiency and joint and multinational operations. They learn how to prepare, fight and sustain forces in conflict, apply perspectives, embody principles, attitudes and values of military leadership and understand the role of the military. Effective use of oral, written and electronic communications and the fundamentals of proficient military decision-making and problem solving, including character and competence and battle component integration are stressed.
Knight, an engineer with 16 years of military service, is the son of Clifford and Asta Knight of Frydendahl 11-1, St. Thomas.
The major graduated in 1987 from Charlotte Amalie High School and received a bachelor's degree in 1992 from Norfolk State University. He earned his master's degree in 2002 from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.

Army Pfc. Deriece A. George Deployed to Iraq/St. Thomas

July 7, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pfc. Deriece A. George has been deployed to a forward-deployed base in Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she will be part of Task Force Renegade. The soldier is usually assigned to a unit of the 159th Aviation Regiment based at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, N.C.
TFR members support and participate in aviation operations that strengthen the Multinational Corps, Iraq and multinational forces, and Iraqi commands. Task force soldiers play an important part in supporting the movement of equipment and supplies in the Iraqi theater of operations. They help keep our ground forces traveling on safer roads and their service ensures success in our nation's global war on terror.
George, an automated logistical specialist, is the daughter of Austin O. and Delsia E. George of St. Thomas.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamal A. Baxter/St. Thomas
July 09, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamal A. Baxter Jr., son of Vivian C. Raymond of St. Thomas, participated in Trafalgar 200 commemorative events in Portsmouth, England while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan, home ported in Norfolk, Va. The event commemorates Admiral Lord Nelson and the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Baxter's unit hosted several media outlets aboard Saipan and also participated in the International Fleet Review, which included more than 160 ships from more than 36 of the world's navies. 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.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Shahoni D. Ryan Graduates Training/St. Thomas
July 25, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Shahoni D. Ryan 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.
Ryan is the son of Kathleen Ryan of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He is a 2004 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.

Navy Seaman Ehdie M. Sackey/St. Croix
July 28, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Ehdie M. Sackey and his shipmates made a port visit to Sydney, Australia while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, forward deployed to Yokosula, Japan. On the first day of the visit, Sackey's ship hosted a reception for more than 1, 000 Australian dignitaries and conducted tours for more than 3,000 guests.
Also drawing the interest of both sailors and local Australians was the Hospitality-in-the-Homes program, sponsored by Kitty Hawk's religious ministries department, which has local Sydney families host sailors in their homes for a meal. USS Kitty Hawk is the first of the "super carriers " commissioned April 29, 1961. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.
He is the son of Lateefah A. Collongwood of Tucson, Ariz. and Rael L. Sackey of Frederiksted, V.I. Sackey is a 1999 graduate of Rincon High School of Tucson, Ariz. And joined the Navy in April 2002.

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