LV sailors serve aboard carrier Theodore Roosevelt

Dick Benoit

Thursday, May 8, 2003 | 10:17 a.m.

At least two Las Vegans are a part of the 5,500 sailors serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is presently positioned in the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Kristie York, Rancho High School class of 1993 and daughter of Richard and Dorothy Wells of Las Vegas, helps ensure the Roosevelt's telephones, cable lines and other communication devices remain in good working order.

Airman Carl Kubicki, Basic High School class of 2002 and son of Thomas Kubicki of Henderson, works to maintain the safety and readiness of bombs and missiles stored onboard the ship.

After intensive training around Puerto Rico, the Roosevelt deployed six months ahead of its normal schedule in response to Operation Iraqi Freedom requirements.

Kubicki, who had just been assigned to the ship, was called upon to become efficient in his duties in a hurry.

"I had little time to prepare, by my division made sure we had our required qualifications though. This carrier is everything during wartime. We make sure things run smoothly as far as bombs and missiles go," Kubicki told the Navy's Fleet Hometown News Service.

York, the mother of three, noted that family and friends were very supportive of her deployment on the ship.

"I didn't have time to prepare for this. My family and friends have been awesome and have helped me out," she said.

"I love the Navy," she added. "The most valuable lesson I've learned is you only accomplish what you spend the effort to achieve."

Supply Manager of the Year

A Nellis Air Force Base captain has been selected by the Air Force as its Junior Supply Manager of the Year for 2002. Capt. Kenneth Hunt, a member of the 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron at the base, was singled out for his work in leading 142 people and managing Air Combat Command's most complex combat operations flight.

He was also recognized for his contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom while deployed to Pakistan as part of the 438th Expeditionary Group. Officials nominating Hunt for the award noted that "while deployed, he directed a base 'hands-on' inventory to establish the first-ever 100 percent weapon accountability," Nellis spokewoman Airman Dilia DeGrego said.

In brief