Army National Guard Pvt. Michael J. Martinez has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. The training included completion of basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).

In basic training, the soldier received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history and traditions.

During AIT, the soldier completed the Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember Advanced Individual Training course. Trainees learned to maintain, prepare and load ammunition for firing; operate and perform operator maintenance on prime movers, self-propelled Howitzers, and ammunition vehicles; and perform crew maintenance and participate in organizational maintenance of weapons and related equipment. They also learned to establish and maintain radio and wire communications.

Martinez is the son of Debbie and Joe Martinez of Casper.

Army National Guard Pvt. Robert K. Smith has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Smith is the son of Regina Smith of Casper.

*USS DONALD COOK DEPLOYS: Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason D. Cowan, son of Susan and Jay Cowan of Wheatland, departed on a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook, homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Prior to deploying, Cowan 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 (JTFEX). 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.

The primary mission of Cowan's ship is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. USS Donald Cook is capable of operating independently or as part of a strike group. Its flexibility provides presence with a purpose and strike power to support joint and allied forces afloat and ashore.

Cowan is a 2000 graduate of Wheatland High School and joined the Navy in April 2001.

*CADET 4TH CLASS: Air Force Cadet Ashley A. Miller has completed Basic Cadet Training and earned the rank of cadet fourth class at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The cadet is one of more than 1,300 men and women who completed the rigorous six-week orientation program. The training prepares cadets to enter their first academic year at the academy.

The cadets completed the training in two phases. Phase one consisted of military and physical preparation which focused on the transition from civilian to military life. Phase two involved three weeks of field training on the academy grounds to participate in activities to extend their physical limitations and build self and group confidence.

The U.S. Air Force Academy curriculum offers education in the basics, engineering and social sciences, the humanities, and 30 other academic majors. At graduation, the cadet receives a bachelor of science degree and a commission of second lieutenant in the Air Force.

She is the daughter of Roy and Wendy Miller of Torrington granddaughter of Barney and Pearl Swartz of Spearfish, S.D., and Melvin and Mary Miller, reside on Four Mile Road, Crawford, Neb. Miller is a 2005 graduate of Torrington High School.

*GRADUATE FROM BASIC:

Army

Pvt. Mathew R. Dugan 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.

The private is currently attending Douglas High School.

Pvt. Kendra A. Nokes has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

She is the daughter of Rebecca Hampton of Cheyenne and is currently attending Cheyenne East High School.

National Guard Pfc. Andrew D. Wagnon has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Wagnon is the son of Eric and Cindy Todd of Cheyenne.

National Guard Pvt. Samuel K. Otto has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

He is the son of Dave and Cathy Otto of Leiter and is a 2003 graduate of Clearmont High School.

Navy

Seaman Recruit Christopher J. Hughes, son of Melanie R. Hughes of Cheyenne, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Hughes 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.

Hughes is a 2002 graduate of Torrington High School.

*NONCOM OFFICER OF YEAR: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brian T. McHugh has been named the 2004 Rhein-Main Air Base, Frankfurt, Germany, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

Selection was based on the individual's exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, and other specific achievements and notable accomplishments.

McHugh is a small computer maintenance supervisor assigned to the 469th Air Base Group.

He is the son of James P. and Joyce A. McHugh of Cheyenne.

*KITTY HAWK RETURNS: Navy Lt. Cleodis May, son of Virginia S. and Cleodis May of Cheyenne and Navy Airman Vernon P. Shunn, son of Cheril Jewell and Chad V. Shunn of Cheyenne, and their shipmates returned from a three-month summer underway period while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

They 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 groups ability to operate with different parts of the U.S. Armed Forces.

USS Kitty Hawk is the first of the "supercarriers," 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.

May is a 1989 graduate of Cheyenne East High School and joined the Navy in June 1995.

Shunn is a 2003 graduate of Cheyenne East High School and joined the Navy in March 2004.

*DELAYED ENTRY: Edward J. Bates 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 $16,000 enlistment bonus.

Bates, a 2004 graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School, Mineral City, Ohio, will report to Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., for active duty on October 26, 2005.

He is the son of Edward Bates of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and Carrie Duddington of Casper.

*ADVANCED TRAINING: Army National Guard Pfc. Jesus A. Saenzpardo has graduated from the Radio and Communications Security Repairer Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga.

The course is designed to train students to use test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and perform preventive maintenance checks and services on radio and communications equipment, units, and tools; adjust, remove and replace defective components and cryptologic items and equipment to meet emission security standards.

Saenzpardo is the son of Penny C. Saenzpardo of Riverton.

*WARRIOR FORGE: Sean J. Vreeland 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 33 days of training provides 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 stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.

He is the son of Mark L. Vreeland of Cedar Hills, Utah, and Anne Roberts of Rock Springs. He graduated in 2000 from Lone Peak High School, Highland, Utah, and earned a bachelor's degree in 2005 from Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah.