Meridianites support Operation Enduring Freedom

By Staff
March 15, 2002
Army Specialist Jude M. Smith has deployed to an overseas forward operating area as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the biggest U.S. military mobilization since the Gulf War in 1991.
Smith is an air traffic controller regularly assigned at Fort Campbell, Ky. He is the son of Jerry M. and Dianah Smith of Meridian and a 1995 graduate of Meridian High School.
Navy Seaman Shakisha C. Johnson, a 1996 graduate of Choctaw County High School in Butler, Ala., is halfway through a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor, homeported in San Diego.
Johnson is one of more than 10,000 Pacific Fleet sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Battle Group and USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group which deployed 45 days early to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Marine Corps Sgt. Bryan L. Gamber was recently promoted to his current rank while serving with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C.
Gamber was promoted based on sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty. He is a 1996 graduate of Northeast Lauderdale High School and the son of Becky A. and John A. Gamber of Meridian. Gamber joined the Marine Corps in August 1996.