Military news
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on November 20, 2005 2:03 AM
A Goldsboro native has received the prestigious Robert F. Gibson Marine Aviation Command and Control Officer of the Year Award.
Capt. Kenneth M. Karcher, MAWTS-1, command, control and communications speciast for the Aviation Development, Tactics and Evaulation Department, received the award at a ceremony in Reno, Nev., last month.
The award was established in honor of Col. Robert F. Gibson, who pioneered the concept of integrated air control group detachments, supporting Marine aviation around the world. This award is given to an officer in recognition of the most outstanding contribution to Marine aviation by an officer serving in a Marine command and control unit.
Karcher received the award for his services as detachment officer-in-charge, weapons and tactics instructor and assistant operations officer for Marine Air Support Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, from May 2004 to April 2005.
Karcher credited his fellow Marines.
"To me, this award is a representation of a year's worth of work by me and my Marines within my community and is directly attributable to the Marines that I worked with in Iraq last year and at my former squadron at MASS-1, Cherry Point, North Carolina. Without those Marines, this award would not have been possible," said Karcher.
Airman Lashad J. Sturgis 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.
Sturgis is the son of Linwood Sturgis of Hampton, Va., and the grandson of Juanita Jacobs of Goldsboro.
Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rex W. Thomas is currently deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He is a superintendent regularly assigned to the 5th Combat Communications Group, Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Ga.
His wife, Pamela, is the daughter of Dan and Iris Cox and Tom and Peggy Wiggins, all of Goldsboro.
Ashley C. Wall joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program and has reported for duty at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.
She is a 2005 graduate of James Hunt High School and is the daughter of Angela C. Wall of Goldsboro and Joseph D. Wall of Lucama.
Kevin Rhodes, a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, has received a three-year Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps Scholarship issued by the U.S. Army Cadet Command. The award is valued at over $23,630.
Rhodes is majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology at UNC Charlotte and participates in the Army ROTC program. After finishing school, he will serve in the U.S. Army with an eight-year commitment.
He is the son of Freda Rhodes and is the grandson of Ernestine Rhodes.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Ronnie S. Mayo Jr. is currently deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The sergeant, a network control center journeyman, is the grandson of Eleanor Scott and Donnie Mayo of Goldsboro and a 1986 graduate of Rosewood High School.
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Trecinda R. Jernigan 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.
Jernigan is the daughter of Olivia Rash of Goldsboro and a 1989 graduate of Rosewood High School.
Navy Seaman James B. Randell, the son of Valerie and the stepson of Ken Owen of Mount Olive, and more than 470 Navy reservists were mobilized from Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force Charlie home based in Williamsburg, Va., and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Randell is a 2000 graduate of Southern Wayne High School of Dudley and joined the Navy in September 2004.
Latisha S. Graham has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.
The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station. The recruit qualifies for a $10,000 enlistment bonus.
Graham, a 2005 graduate of Southern Wayne High School, has reported to Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., for active duty. She is the daughter of Tracy P. Jordan of Mount Olive and Terry Morris of LGrange.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scotty H. Matthews is currently deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Matthews, an aerospace medical craftsman with 15 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 96th Medical Operations Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Valparaiso, Fla.
He is the son of Danny Matthews of Turkey and Ann Matthews of Faison and a 1990 graduate of Hobbton High School.