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 Shaine J. Dewindt-Graham/St. Thomas
Nov. 9, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman Shaine J. Dewindt-Graham 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 Doreen Graham of Crystal Creek, Hattiesburg, Miss., and grandson of Roy Dewindt of Estate Tutu 173-318, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The airman is a 2009 graduate of Oak Grove High School, Hattiesburg.
Navy Seaman Recruit Valencia K. Connor/St. Thomas
Nov. 1, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Valencia K. Connor and more than 5, 000 fellow sailors and Marines aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), San Diego, Calif., recently returned from a five-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR).
Ronald Reagan, the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 flagship, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Howard (DDG 83) arrived to meet family members waiting on the pier aboard Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
This return marked the completion of the Ronald Reagan’s fourth deployment since it was commissioned in 2003 as well as the groups return from Afghanistan. More than 5,000 sailors, 20 percent of whom are women, serve aboard USS Ronald Reagan and hail from all 50 U.S. states and 40 nations.
The guided missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) and the guided missile frigate USS Thach (FFG43) remain deployed in the 5th Fleet to provide Maritime Security Operations and are scheduled to return next month. Ronald Reagan and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 operated in the 5th Fleet AOR for more than two months, providing 30 percent of all air support to U.S. and coalition ground forces in Afghanistan and flew more than 1, 600 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadrons of CVW-14 include the "Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Eagles" of VFA-115, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4. A detachment from Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30 provided logistics support to the carrier.
Additionally, the ships of Carrier Strike Group 7 were vital in counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and the Horn of Africa, and maritime security operations to include protecting vital Iraqi infrastructure in the North Arabian Gulf. Ronald Reagan’s sailors participated in 50 community relations projects during port visits to Singapore, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and Phuket, Thailand.
Seaman Recruit Valencia K. Connor is the niece of Janet Morton of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Connor joined the Navy in March 2009.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Reuben B. Lawrence/St. Thomas
Nov. 1, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center)–Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Reuben B. Lawrence and fellow sailors of Patrol Squadron 10 "Red Lancers" (VP-10), Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., recently completed the fourth month of their six-month deployment to the Navy’s Africa Command and Central Command, operating from bases in Quatar, Djibouti and Japan.
While deployed, the Lancers have conducted operations in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to include maritime security operations; anti-submarine warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; routine maritime patrol and anti-piracy missions in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden; and maintained a 99.5 percent sortie completion rate.
The Lancers introduced a contingent from Patrol Squadron One "Screaming Eagles" (VP-1) to Central Command theater of operations during the Screaming Eagles’ two-day visit from Widbey Island, Wash. The Screaming Eagles will replace the Lancers at the conclusion of the unit’s deployment in December. In Djibouti, during a "Non Sibi" day – meaning not for ourselves – the Lancers helped distribute 10,000 units of clothing donated by Carter’s Inc., Atlanta, Ga. The influx of 270 boxes temporarily shut down the camp post office until the sailors loaded the donations on a truck and moved them into storage. The donations were then distributed with the assistance of the base staff, U.S. Embassy personnel and the Ministry of Women and Family Affairs.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Reuben B. Lawrence is a 1992 graduate of Antilles School, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Lawrence joined the Navy in November 2003.
Army National Guard Pvt. Idris Brice/St. Thomas
Nov. 1, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pvt. Idris Brice has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
Brice is the brother of Bernard Brice of Estate Nazarer, Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Army Reserve Pfc. De’Shaw A. Henderson/St. Thomas
Nov. 5, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Reserve Pfc. De’Shaw A. Henderson 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 and physical fitness. She 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.
She is the daughter of Venice and David Henderson of Blueridge Drive, Lexington, Ky., and the granddaughter of Rosemarie and Gregorie George of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Henderson is a 2009 graduate of Bryan Station High School, Lexington.
Candice L. O’Reilly Graduates from Army ROTC/St. Croix
Nov. 6, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) Candice L. O’Reilly has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
The 32 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet’s officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet’s intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet’s performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.
Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard or Reserve.
She is the daughter of Brian P. and Arleen E. O’Reilly of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
O’Reilly is a 2006 graduate of St. Croix Country Day School.
Army Reserve Pfc. Tyeim J. Sackey/St. Thomas
Nov. 6, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Reserve Pfc. Tyeim J. Sackey 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 and physical fitness. He 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.
He is the nephew of Kathryn Connor of Mariendahl, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Conroy Crabbe of Middle Drive, East Hartford, Conn.
Sackey is a 2009 graduate of East Hartford High School.
Army National Guard Pvt. Shimoi Van Holten/St. Thomas
Nov. 6, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pvt. Shimoi Van Holten 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 and physical fitness. He 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.
He is the son of Marjorie Wheatley of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Van Holten is a 2001 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Air National Guard Airman Roy Joseph/St. Croix
Nov. 12, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air National Guard Airman Roy Joseph 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 brother of Debbie Joseph of Christiansted St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Joseph is a 1995 graduate of Seventh-day Adventist School, Christiansted.
