(with mini mug: 0706.hudson.mil)

Army Sgt. Joseph A. Hudson is currently deployed as a member of Task Force Marne, one of more than 20,000 soldiers from the Fort Stewart, Ga.-based 3rd Infantry Division and elements of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky. The soldier is serving a 15-month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

With more than 53 patrol bases within their area of operation, the task force has made significant strides in enhancing security in the region. Since the arrival of the task force more than a year ago, violence in the region has been reduced by more than 75 percent.

Hudson is a command group analyst with the 3rd Signal Company, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. His home station is Fort Stewart. He has served in the military for nine years.

He is the son of Wayne M. and Janine K. Hudson, Douglas and is a 1996 graduate of Douglas High School.

*PROMOTED: Kyle J. Porter has been promoted to the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force.

He is currently serving as the executive officer for the 71st Rescue Squadron, as well as an HC-130 navigator at Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, Ga. Porter has served in the Air Force for four years.

In addition, Capt. Porter served in Africa for Operation Enduring Freedom and was named Company Grade Officer of the Year for the 347th Rescue Group for 2007.

Porter is a rescue navigator who has navigated in several variations of the C-130 search and rescue aircraft, along with the T-1 and T-43 trainer aircraft.

He is the son of Dana L. and Debby S. Porter, Casper.

In 2000, Porter graduated from James E. Taylor High School, Katy, Texas, and received a bachelor's degree in 2004 from the University of Wyoming. The captain earned his master's degree in 2007 from Valdosta State University, Ga.

(with mini mug: 0706.derby.mil, 0706.mccomas.mil, 0706.brooks.mil, 0706.french.anderson.mil, 0706.plessner.mil, 0706.knesel.mil, 0706.watson.mil)

*GRADUATE FROM BASIC:

Air Force

Airman 1st Class Richard J. Derby 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.

He is the son of Mike and Barbra Derby of Casper and a 2000 graduate of Kelly Walsh High School.

Airman Christopher M. McComas has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He is the son of Christina Mill of Casper and Michael McComas of Paradise, Mont., and

is a 2007 graduate of Plains High School, Mont.

Airman 1st Class Amanda J. Brooks has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

She is the daughter of Glenda Brooks of Torrington. She graduated in 2001 from Torrington High School, and received an associate degree in 2004 from Eastern Wyoming College.

Airman Kyle C. Meister has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He is the son of Linda Meister of Windsor, Colo., and Jerome Meister of Wheatland and is a 2007 graduate of Wheatland High School.

National Guard Airman 1st Class Jolean M. French-Anderson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

She is the daughter of Cathy Simonson and Kevin Anderson, both of Cheyenne and is a 2008 graduate of Cheyenne Central High School.

Airman Adam J. Plessner has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He is the son of Gene and Lori Plessner of Gillette and is a 2006 graduate of Campbell County High School.

Air National Guard Airman Peter D. Knesel has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He is the son of Cliff and Susan Knesel of Gillette and is a 1997 graduate of Campbell County High School.

Airman Michael A. Watson 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.

He is the son of Robert Watson of Carter Road, and Martha Avery of Maroon Drive, both of Cheyenne, Wyo.

Watson is a 2005 graduate of East High School, Cheyenne.

Army

National Guard Pvt. Lacie D. Henry 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.

She is the daughter of Brian Henry of Phoenix, Ariz., and Tonya Harley of Casper and is a 2005 graduate of Natrona County High School.

Pvt. Dusti J. Welch has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

She is the daughter of Jera Morris of Cheyenne.

Pvt. Kyle L. Garry has graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

Garry is the son of Ron Wicker of Glendo and Darlene Garry of Breaux Bridge, La. In 2007, the private graduated from Glendo High School.

National Guard Pvt. Boyd T. Jones has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

He is the son of Thomas Jones and Lynn Davis, both of Lander, and is a 2008 graduate of Lander Valley High School.

Army Pvt. Brianna N. Murray has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

She is the daughter of Randall Murray of Riverton and Randa McCall of Grand Blanc, Mich., and is a 2006 graduate of Grand Blanc High School.

Pvt. Shelby J. Callaway has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

He is the son of Jill Callaway of Jackson and Charlie Callaway of Jefferson, Texas, and is a 2001 graduate of Jackson Hole High School.

Navy

Seaman Recruit Eric M. Morris, son of Trisha S. and Mark T. Morris of Cheyenne, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Morris 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.

Morris is a 2007 graduate of Eagle Rock Academy of Cheyenne.