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 visource@gmail.com. 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 Airman Acheem A. Hodge/St. Thomas
July 20, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman Acheem A. Hodge graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Lisa Plaskett Samuel and grandson of Jennifer Carr, both of Annas Retreat, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Navy Seaman Jawahn J. Potter/St. Thomas
July 2, 2009 – (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Jawahn J. Potter, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, the seaman completed a variety of training, which 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.
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.
He is the son of Jennifer C. Gardner of North Lauderdale, Fla., and Cecil E. Potter of St. Thomas, V. I.
Potter is a 2005 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V. I
Potter is a 2005 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V. I
Navy Seaman Recruit Jechonias S. James/St. Croix
July 8, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Jechonias S.
James recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
James recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, James completed a variety of training, which 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. It 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.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. It 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.
The Navy seaman is the son of Linda G. and Wilmoth J. James of Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
James is a 2007 graduate of St. Croix Seventh-day Adventist High School of Christiansted, V. I.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Hilton T. Huggins/St. Croix
July 8, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Hilton T. Huggins, along with more than 2,500 sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), Norfolk, Va., and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU), Camp Lejeune, N. C., are currently deployed to support Maritime Security Operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward Naval presence in the Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of operation.
During a port call in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, the sailors and Marines hosted tours aboard ship. They also volunteered to assist residents and refurbish the grounds at the Association Sindrome de Down de Beleares, dedicated to helping persons with Down Syndrome. The sailors and Marines also had the opportunity to participate in bicycling and kayaking tours as well as tours of Palma City, the Caves of Drach and Costa Nord.
Bataan also recently commemorated the Battle of Midway, wearing uniforms as they were worn in 1942 and playing Midway announcements throughout the day over the ship’s general announcing system.
Four midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., who spent three weeks aboard the Bataan, were paired with enlisted sailors who helped prepare the future officers for shipboard life and acquire tools to become effective leaders.
Bataan transited the Suez Canal and entered the Fifth Fleet’s area of responsibility, relieving the USS Boxer Amphibious Group.
Bataan transited the Suez Canal and entered the Fifth Fleet’s area of responsibility, relieving the USS Boxer Amphibious Group.
The 22nd MEU performed the first ship to shore emergency medical evacuation from the Bataan using the new MV-22B Ospreys. The V-22 is a joint service, multi-mission aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability and performs missions as effectively as a conventional helicopter while also having the long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop aircraft.
ARGs usually include an amphibious squadron (PHIBRON), an amphibious assault ship (LHA/D), an amphibious transport dock (LPD), a dock landing ship (LSD), embarked Naval support elements and an embarked MEU.
The BATARG is comprised of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15) and the amphibious, dock-landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). The BATARG and 22nd MEU provide the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, littoral and inland environments in support of the Navy’s maritime strategy.
The 22nd MEU includes a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its command element.
The Navy petty officer is the son of Marion Caines of Frederiksted, Virgin Islands.
Huggins is a 1990 graduate of St. Croix Central High School of Kingshill, V. I. and joined the Navy in April 1991.
Army Pvt. Lacey D. Smith/St. Thomas
July 23, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Pvt. Lacey D. Smith 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. She received instruction and practice physical fitness, 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. Smith is the sister of Chantel Skelton of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
