Sailor seeks out deadly mines, making waterways safe in Iraq

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.

The son of Las Vegas residents is playing a key role in the Navy's ability to support land forces in the war on terrorism.

Telly Kidman, son of Lynn and Elida Kidman of Las Vegas, is deployed to Manama, Bahrain, aboard the USS Dextrous. The Dextrous is among a unique type of ships with the job of sailing into harm's way to search for and detonate enemy mines. Kidman is a mineman on board the Dextrous.

"I fix and operate the remote operated vehicles. I'm also a search and rescue swimmer and Stinger missile gunner," said the sailor, who enlisted in the Navy in 2000.

During recent operations Kidman and his shipmates removed mines from the Kaa River in Iraq. "We cleared the way for humanitarian aid ships," Kidman said.

The Navy's mine countermeasures force was developed in the early 1980s and since then has played a major role in many world conflicts, including Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The ships are equipped with state-of-the-art sonar and detonating systems designed to find, classify and destroy enemy mines.

Kidman, who grew up in Los Alamos, N.M., described what he looked forward to when returning home.

"I miss riding my dirt bike and spending time with my brothers and sisters," he said. However, the first thing he wants to do when he gets home, the sailor said, is "take a nap."

Joint service medal

Army Reserve Maj. Nancy Williams, a Western High School 1977 graduate, has been decorated with the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

The medal is awarded by the secretary of Defense to members of the U.S. armed forces for meritorious service, achievement or accomplishment with distinction while assigned to a joint activity.

Williams has completed a deployment in support of the missions of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The major, a contingency contracting officer, is the sister of Donald Williams of Las Vegas.

Williams received a bachelor's degree in 1983 from the University of Nevada, Reno. She earned a master's degree in 1996 from the Florida Institute of Technology, through the military extension program at Fort Lee, Va.

Action in Liberia

Southern Nevadans recently went ashore to Roberts International Airport and the Freeport of Monrovia in Liberia to provide support for West African forces while assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Marines deployed with the USS Iwo Jima, established a quick reaction force at Roberts International to provide support for the Economic Community of West African States' forces if needed, and assisted in securing the Freeport in an effort to facilitate humanitarian efforts for the Liberian people. Among the Marines were:

In brief