Military Briefs

By Staff
July 12, 2002
Navy Seaman Earnest C. Hampton, a 2001 graduate of West Lauderdale High School, recently took part in a community relations project in Guam during a Western Pacific deployment. Hampton is assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
Volunteers worked to beautify the grounds at a Catholic monastery and spent time helping the Camelite Sisters of Guam with grounds maintenance.
Hampton also had an opportunity to shop, sightsee and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.
Navy Seaman Shakisha C. Johnson, a 1996 graduate of Choctaw County High School in Butler, Ala., recently completed a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor, homeported in San Diego.
Johnson was one of more than 10,000 Pacific Fleet sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Battle Group; the group deployed 45 days early to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sailors aboard Johnson's ship supported combat operations in Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda, the largest battle in the War on Terrorism.
During the deployment, Johnson also visited several ports of call including cities in Singapore, Bahrain, Thailand and Australia.
Navy Seaman Krystal R. Trotter, daughter of Linda S. Trotter of Meridian and Ernest Hampton of Meridian, recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, homeported in San Diego.
Trotter was 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 who took part in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sailors aboard Trotter's ship supported combat operations in Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda, the largest battle in the War on Terrorism.
During the deployment, Trotter also visited several ports of call including cities in Singapore, Bahrain, Thailand and Australia.
Trotter is a 2000 graduate of Meridian High School and joined the Navy in June 2000.
Tytonia S. Moore has been promoted to the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force. He is the deputy chief of protocol at Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Moore is the son of Minnie B. Moore of Meridian. He graduated in 1992 from Northeast Lauderdale High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 1996 from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Jeneia S. Houston has joined the United States Army Reserve under the Delayed Training Program.
The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay reporting for basic military training for up to 270 days. An enlistment in the reserve gives many new soldiers the option to learn a new skill, serve their country, and become eligible to receive more than $7,000 toward a college education, $20,000 for repayment of college loans, and a maximum $5,000 cash bonus.
After completion of basic military training, most soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty before being assigned to their first permanent duty station.
The recruit qualifies for a $3,000 enlistment bonus.
Houston, a 2002 graduate of Meridian High School, will report to Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville, Mo., for basic training. She is the daughter of Eddie F. Houston of Meridian.
Navy Seaman Tiffany N. Phillips, daughter of Louvenia Phillips of Meridian and Larry D. Phillips of Meridian, is halfway through a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Gulf while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, based in Norfolk, Va.
Phillips is one of more than 10,000 Atlantic Fleet sailors and Marines aboard the ships USS John F. Kennedy Carrier Battle Group and USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group.
While on deployment, Phillips' ship visited Souda Bay, Crete ,where sailors and Marines had the opportunity to shop, sightsee and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.
Phillips is a 2001 graduate of Meridian High School and joined the Navy in October 2001.