Chaparral grad deployed with Navy to Philippines

Dick Benoit

Thursday, May 30, 2002 | 8:59 a.m.

Navy Cmdr. Kyle Cozad, Chaparral High School class of 1981, has deployed to the Philippines from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Wash. Cozad, son of Jim and Roberta Cozad of Las Vegas, is executive officer of Patrol Squadron 40, which flies the P-3 Orion anti-submarine and aerial reconnaissance aircraft.

The unit is part of U.S. Joint Task Force 510, headquartered near Zamboanga City on the island of Mindanao. JTH-510 provides air transport of cargo, personnel, medical evacuation and reconnaissance for all U.S. military operations in the southern Philippines.

Cozad, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has been in the Navy for 17 years.

ROTC honors scholars, vets

Four members of Durango High School's Air Force Junior ROTC senior class have received Air Force ROTC college scholarships. Jane Elzeftawy, daughter of Atef and Julie Elzeftawy; Sheldon Freerksen, son of Ronald and Sandra Freerksen; Alexander Lucas, son of Nicholas and Rebecca Lucas; and Jonson Yee, son of Jackson and Eliza Yee, were all recognized during ceremonies at the school May 23.

Elzeftawy plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley; Freerksen and Lucas have chosen Northern Arizona University; and Yee has been accepted at Stanford University.

The Durango cadets also recognized World War II veterans during the school's eighth annual awards parade by presenting each in attendance with a commemorative challenge coin minted especially for the occasion.

In brief

Cunningham, the son of Jim Cunningham of Las Vegas, was also trained in ground handling principles for the C-5 heavy-cargo transport aircraft.

Kelly is the son of Tom and stepson of Susan Kelly of Las Vegas.