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.
Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs/St. Thomas
November 16, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center ) — Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs, son of Hazra and Louis Gumbs of St. Thomas, V. I., along with sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 were welcomed home by family and friends after a successful seven month deployment to Afghanistan.
NMCB-11 was deployed to U.S. Central Command to conduct general, mobility, survivability engineering operations, defensive operations, Afghan National Army (ANA) partnering and detachment of units in combined/joint operations area – Afghanistan in order to enable the neutralization of the insurgency and support improved governance and stability operations.
Among the numerous missions, the battalion conducted a large-scale road construction project in southern Helmand province in which they partnered with the ANA, a village stability platform mission in support of Marine Special Forces, construction of helicopter landing zones in partnership with the Italian army to facilitate timely medical evacuations, and construction of buildings and facilities for an ANA recruit training command.
Despite being faced with the dangers of operating in a combat zone for the length of the deployment, the Seabees of NMCB-11 are fortunate to have all returned. Thorough training and preparation in the months leading up to the deployment undoubtedly contributed to the battalion’s success.
Following a brief stand-down period to allow sailors time to rest, spend time with family, and take care of personal matters, NMCB-11 will reorganize and begin a homeport period filled with training and tactical exercises designed to prepare them for the next deployment and increase their in-rate knowledge and skills.
Gumbs is a 2006 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School of St. Thomas, V. I., and joined the Navy in April 2011.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Kirby J. Alexis/St. Croix
Nov. 16, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Air Force Airman 1st Class Kirby J. Alexis 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.
Alexis is the son of Theresa and Bernard Alexis of Upper Love, St. Croix.
He is a 2010 graduate of Central High School, St. Croix.
Army Pvt. Kamal A. Simmonds/St. Croix
Nov. 16, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Army Pvt. Kamal A. Simmonds 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.
Simmonds is the nephew of Corine Simmonds of Williams Delight, and the cousin of Nikima Richards of Estate Whim, both of Frederiksted.
He is a 2011 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex, Kingshill.
