Two Las Vegas sailors head to Persian Gulf on Constellation

Dick Benoit

Thursday, March 22, 2001 | 8:19 a.m.

At least two Las Vegas sailors deploy this month as crew members aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation headed for six months of patrol duty in the Persian Gulf.

Robby Bonanno, a 1983 graduate of Clark High School and son of Robert and Ikuko Bonanno of Las Vegas, is part of Fighter Attack Squadron 137 on the Constellation. Bonanno is an aviation electrician and chief petty officer. As such he supervises the electrical maintenance of VA 137's complement of F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bombers.

A relative "old salt" by Navy standards, Chief Bonanno knows aircraft carrier operations are dangerous business and sees his most important duty in terms of people, not jet airplanes.

"My goal is to get everyone in my charge home alive and intact," he says.

Ronald Klug, a 2000 graduate of Palo Verde High School and grandson of Norma Gower of Las Vegas, is also aboard the Constellation. He is an aviation boatswain's mate and helps operate and maintain equipment such as the catapults and arresting gear on the flight deck of the constellation that assist in launching and recovering Bonanno's Hornet fighters.

Anticipating his off-duty time while at sea for six months, Klug plans to study at least part of the time.

"My plan is to save money and earn my associate's degree," he said.

The Constellation carrier group is relieving the carrier USS Harry S. Truman group currently forward deployed in the Persian Gulf region.

In brief

* Joel Bousley, a 1998 graduate of Las Vegas Advanced Technologies Academy, is serving in a pioneering unit of the Army. Pvt. Bousley is a member of 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash. As a fire direction specialist, his job is to plot enemy units on a battle map in order to destroy enemy targets on the battlefield.

Bousley's unit, as part of the 2nd Infantry Division, is undergoing change to become the first lighter, more mobile and fast deploying force known as an Initial Brigade Combat Team. These teams will use small, lightly armed vehicles that can operate easier in urban settings such as on city streets and narrow bridges.

They will be able to deploy by air to anywhere in the world within 96 hours. The Las Vegas native is currently helping to develop tactics for his unit that will be a model for future brigades.

* Army Reserve Pvt. Jason L. Moldan, the son of Janette Moldan of Las Vegas, recently graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo. The course of instruction included basic military training and advanced individual training drill and ceremonies, weapons and tactics. During advanced training he was trained to be a bridge crewmember operating bridge-building trucks and boats.

* Army Pvt. Andrew Coe, the son of Bruce Carter of Vegas, has graduated from traffic management coordinator advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Newport News, Va. He will advise military and civilians of their entitlements for shipment of personal property and passenger travel and coordinate transport of military cargo.

* Airman Scott A. Sciaretta, the grandson of Anthony Sciaretta of Las Vegas, recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He studied the Air Force mission, organization, and customs. Airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.