National Guard transportation company leaves for Egypt

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001 | 9:07 a.m.

Forty members of the 1864th Transportation Co. began deploying to Egypt Wednesday morning out of Nellis Air Force Base.

The unit, which boarded a Nevada Air National Guard C-130 out of Reno, was expected to stop at Fort Hood, Texas, for personnel processing before a trans-Atlantic flight to Europe for refueling, then to Egypt.

The three-week annual training mission to Egypt was planned months in advance of the recent terrorist attacks and is designed to support the NATO exercise Bright Star.

"I feel confident," said Staff Sgt. Sef Romero, who has been a member of the 1864th for three years. "This is our first overseas deployment, but everything is going smoothly due to the fact that we pride ourselves on always being ready.'

Specialist Sharon Testa, one of six women in the 1864th, said she is looking forward to the trip.

"Because of the recent events, I'm even more eager to go. This will be a great opportunity to work with other nations and expand our knowledge. We'll get the training and experience we'll need if we are mobilized.'

The 1864th Transportation Co. will carry a Nevada flag presented to it by Gov. Kenny Guinn. They plan to raise the flag along with the U.S. flag over the Port of Agami in Egypt, where they will be stationed.

Air Force Ball postponed

The Air Force Ball, originally scheduled for Saturday at the MGM Grand, has been postponed.

"Currently we are looking at another date, and we will notify invitees as soon as it is finalized,' said Master Sgt. Rudolph Montez, chairman of Nellis Air Force Base's ball committee.

Civilians who received invitations should call (702) 652-8798 for more information. Active-duty airmen should talk to their first sergeants.

Employer banquet still on

The Nevada Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve awards banquet, scheduled for Sept. 29 at the San Remo hotel, will be held as scheduled, banquet chairman Ted Marshall said.

Marshall also invites individual reservists, those who are called up or serving as volunteers at Nellis Air Force Base or other sites, to attend.

"We would like any reservists who can to bring their civilian and military bosses to the banquet," Marshall said. The reservists' dinners are free, and bosses pay $25. For more information, call (702) 384-7162.

In brief

* Army Spec. Jong Sun Han, a 1996 graduate of Bonanza High School, was recently decorated with the Army Commendation Medal. Han, the son of Kyu Ok and Yang Kang Han of Las Vegas, was awarded the medal for meritorious service in the performance of his duties as a food service specialist with Alpha Co., 325th Forward Support Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

* Army Spec. Chartez J. Wiley, a 1997 graduate of Cimarron Memorial High School who is assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, recently graduated from the U.S. Army Primary Leadership Development Course there. Wiley, the son of Sammie Wiley and grandson of Nina Traylor, both of Las Vegas, is an Avenger gunner-team chief with Alpha Co., 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery.

* Air Force Staff Sgt. Elva Shipp, the daughter of Elva Acosta of Las Vegas, has reported for duty at the 362nd Recruiting Squadron in Phoenix. The sergeant also recently received an associate's degree from Rose State University through the military extension program in her previous assignment at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

* Gregory Barnhardt, a 1999 graduate of the Community College of Southern Nevada and son of Jody Barnhardt of Las Vegas, recently graduated from Army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo.

* Mitchell J. Grant, the son of Michele Mitchell of Boulder City and Edward Grant of Las Vegas, recently graduated from Army basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

* Richard W. Detrick the son of Richard A. Detrick of Las Vegas, recently graduated from Army basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

* Apostolos Pantazis, the son of Efstathia Petalas of Las Vegas, also recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson.