Las Vegans complete exercise on USS Wasp

Dick Benoit

Thursday, July 25, 2002 | 8:46 a.m.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Colin Smith, Bonanza High School class of 1998 and son of Joani McLemore and Colin P. Smith, both of Las Vegas, recently completed two months of training exercises and humanitarian missions in the East African nation of Djibouti while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, based in Norfolk, Va.

Navy Fireman Regie Gutierrez, son of Lucy Gutierrez of Las Vegas, is also assigned to the USS Wasp, which supports amphibious operations using Landing Craft Air Cushions, which are specially designed Hovercraft that travel above land and sea surfaces and deliver vehicles and equipment.

The two Las Vegas sailors joined 10,000 Atlantic Fleet sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS John F. Kennedy Carrier Battle Group and USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group participating in joint-service, multi-national operations in the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

Volunteers from the unit conducted engineering, medical and dental projects and delivered school supplies donated by U.S. citizens from Morehead City, NC.

In brief

Henry, son of Robert Henry of Las Vegas, learned how to operate and maintain the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System, a rapid fire gun used on ships as the last line of defense against anti-ship missiles and other security threats.

Vargas, son of Maria Vargas of Las Vegas, joined the Marine Corps in November 2000.

During the nine weeks of training, the new soldiers studied the Army mission and received instruction and practice in drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy and the military justice system.