Home Community People Military News of Virgin Islanders – September 2005

Military News of Virgin Islanders – September 2005

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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 [email protected] 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 Tina S. Meyers/St. Croix
Sept. 6, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Tina S. Meyers 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, military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches; and received physical training. She also learned 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.
Meyers is the daughter of Myrtle Meyers of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
She is a 2003 graduate of the St. Croix Educational Complex, Kingshill, V.I.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamal A. Baxter Jr./St. Thomas
Sept. 9, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamal A. Baxter Jr., son of Vivian C. Raymond of St. Thomas, V. I., returned from a three-month deployment while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan, home ported in Norfolk, Va. Marines and sailors in Baxter's unit are deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Baxter's unit participated in a number of bilateral and multilateral theater security engagements that directly supported the war by strengthening regional partnerships and increasing their presence. His ship was involved in Exercise Adriatic Engagement with forces from Albania and Macedonia on Sazan Island, off the coast of Albania. Saipan also took part in the 100th anniversary of Norway's independence and the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in Portsmouth, England.
Amphibious assault ships like 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.

Navy Seaman Kareem J. Turnbull/St. Thomas
Sept. 12, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Kareem J. Turnbull, son of Margaret R. and Winston Turnbull of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Turnbull received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Training 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.
Turnbull is a 2004 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School of St.
Thomas, V. I.

Army Reserve Pfc. Charles K. Vanterpool/St. Croix
Sept. 13, 2005 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army Reserve Pfc. Charles K. Vanterpool has graduated from basic combat military training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
During the eight weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction in drill and ceremonies, rifle marksmanship, weapons, map reading, tactics, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, Army history, core values and traditions, and special training in human relations.
Vanterpool is the son of Florine Lang of Kingshill, Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
Army National Guard Sgt. Melbourne C. Phipps/St. Thomas
Sept. 13, 2005 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Sgt. Melbourne C. Phipps completed two weeks of required annual training at Camp Pendleton, Virginia Beach, Va. The soldier is a member of the Maryland National Guard assigned to the 229th Army Band, 5th Regiment Armory based in Baltimore.
More than 180 guard members assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters and various subordinate support elements from Maryland participated in field and classroom training. The soldiers received training in marksmanship, security operations and tactical planning. They performed military specialty tasks and honed their basic soldiering skills.
Phipps, a trombone player with 29 years of military service, is the son of Lubin Phipps of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The sergeant is a 1976 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.

Army National Guard Pvt. Jamell K. Buncome/St. Thomas
Sept. 14, 2005 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Jamell K. Buncome has graduated from the armament repair technician technical/tactical certification course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md.
The course included common military and warrant officer professional development subjects, technical training to perform maintenance, inspect and repair small arms, field artillery equipment, and other armament systems. The officer also was taught to identify and troubleshoot malfunctions in electrical, hydraulic, fire control, instrument items and equipment.
Buncome is the son of Clever Buncome, and brother of Clever Buncome, both of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
He is a 2000 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.

Navy Seaman Ehdie M. Sackey/St. Croix
Sept. 16, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Ehdie M. Sackey, son of Lateefah A. Collingwood of Tucson, Ariz. and Rael L. Sackey of St. Croix, V. I., and his shipmates returned from a three-month summer underway period while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.
Sackey and more than 5, 300 of his fellow shipmates participated in exercises Talisman Saber 2005, the third annual Orange Crush and Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX) 2005. Talisman Saber 2005 gave the USS Kitty Hawk the chance to train with Australian military forces. Orange Crush focused on integrating different parts of the strike group together, and JASEX tested the group's ability to operate with different parts of the U.S. Armed Forces.
USS Kitty Hawk is the first of the "super carriers, " commissioned April 29, 1961. Carriers like USS Kitty Hawk are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in time of crisis. The ship serves as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors and is equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.
Sackey is a 1999 graduate of Rincon High School of Tucson, Ariz. And joined the Navy in April 2002.
For more information on the deployment and high-resolution photographs, visit USS Kitty Hawk's web site at http://www.kittyhawk.navy.mil.

Navy Seaman Alex F. Brache/St. Croix
Sept. 16, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Alex F. Brac
he, son of Paulina R. and Francisco Brache of St. Croix, V. I., departed on a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, home- ported in Norfolk, Va.
Prior to deploying, Brache and more than 7, 500 of his fellow shipmates of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group successfully completed a Composite Training Unit Exercise and a Joint Task Force Exercise. The JTFEX is the final step in preparing the strike group for deployment, and is designed to test its ability to operate in a complex, hostile environment with other U.S. and coalition forces.
Carriers like Theodore Roosevelt are deployed 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 and aircraft available. Brache's squadron flies the F/A-18C Hornet, a single-seat, all-weather fighter and attack aircraft that is used for force projection, interdiction, close and deep air support, and fleet air defense.
For more information on the deployment and high-resolution photographs, visit USS Theodore Roosevelt's web site at http://www.navy.mil.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Simon Sam/St. Croix
Sept. 16, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Simon Sam, son of Ormand O. Sam of St. Croix, V. I., departed on a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, home ported in Norfolk, Va.
Prior to deploying, Sam and more than 7, 500 of his fellow shipmates of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group successfully completed a Composite Training Unit Exercise and a Joint Task Force Exercise. The JTFEX is the final step in preparing the strike group for deployment and is designed to test its ability to operate in a complex, hostile environment with other U.S. and coalition forces. Carriers like Theodore Roosevelt are deployed 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 and aircraft available.

Army Pvt. Christopher Edwin/St. Croix
Sept. 28, 2005 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Christopher Edwin 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. He also learned drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, the military justice system, basic first aid, and participated in foot marches and field training exercises.
He is the brother of Link Edwin of Montpellier, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
The private is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.

Coast Guard Seaman Biann I. Creque/St. Thomas
Sept. 29, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Coast Guard Seaman Biann I. Creque, daughter of Ianthie G. and Peter P. Julion of St. Thomas, V. I., recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J.
During the eight-week training program, she completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.
Creque and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty — and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. She will join 36, 000 other men and women who comprise Coast Guard's force. Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, Creque and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management.
Creque is a 1999 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School of St. Thomas, V. I. She is a 2004 graduate of DeVry University, Alpharetta, Ga. with a bachelor's degree.
Coast Guard Seaman Recruit Jamal Hodge/St. Croix
Sept. 29, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Coast Guard Seaman Recruit Jamal Hodge, son of Janice Schuster of Christiansted, V. I. and Walter I. Hodge of Frederiksted, V. I., recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J.
During the eight-week training program, he completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.
Hodge and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty — and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. He will join 36, 000 other men and women who comprise Coast Guard's force. Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, Hodge and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management.
Hodge is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex, Virgin Islands.

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