LV sailors deploy on carrier Kitty Hawk

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002 | 8:33 a.m.

At least four Las Vegas sailors are helping keep the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in ship shape during its current deployment to the Western Pacific region.

Las Vegas sailors aboard the attack carrier include Petty Officer 2nd Class David Eberhart, Jr, son of Nancy and David Eberhart; Navy Fireman Ronnel Henry, son of Mercedes Henry; Seaman Raul Latorre, son of Rita and Raul Latorre; and Navy Airman Alaine Valena, son of Maria Carbonell and Arturo Valena

As part of the Kitty Hawk crew the four will take part in training exercises with regional allies in the Western Pacific and be able to respond to national tasking where needed.

Carriers like USS Kitty Hawk are deployed around the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.

Eberhart is a 1992 graduate of Chaparral High School. Henry is a 2001 graduate of Desert Pines High School.

Sea Cadets awards

The Navy League's Bruce A. Van Voorhis Memorial Squadron of Sea Cadets recently presented annual awards to participating youth.

Recognized as Sea Cadet of the Year was Brian Miller. Clinton Barnes was named League Cadet of the Year and Community Service awards were presented to Barnes, Justin Sanchez, Alexander Kisfalvi and Blake Longley.

Special achievement awards were presented to Joshua Prinz, Aaron Parker, Robert Schultheiss, Madeline Mae Ellis and Theodore E. Wylupski II.

Other cadets honored include Joshua Smith, Brennan Wright and Todd Ellis for Most Improved and Wendy Segura for Citizenship.

Nuclear training

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Santos, son of Susan and Eugene Santos of Las Vegas, recently completed the Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit course at Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, N. Y.

Santos, a 2000 graduate of Cimarron-Memorial High School, joined the Navy in October 2000. At the Ballston Spa training unit he received instruction about nuclear theory, chemistry, physics, reactor operations, safety and security.

Santos is now designated a nuclear propulsion plant operator.

In brief

Dennis, Miller and Duran successfully completed 12 weeks of training designed to challenge Marine recruits both physically and mentally. They also received instruction on the Marine Corps' values -- honor, courage and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.