Sailors taking part in Iraqi Freedom

Dick Benoit

Thursday, March 25, 2004 | 8:34 a.m.

Navy officials report at least two Nevada reservists, the son of a Pahrump couple and daughter-in-law of a Las Vegas woman, are taking part in what will be the largest rotation of troops since World War II.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Duby, son of Milton and Patricia Duby of Pahrump, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Lanae Flores, daughter-in-law of Carmen Flores of Las Vegas, are part of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Duby, serves as a boatswain's mate for the unit that is responsible for the on-load and off-load of supplies, equipment and cargo.

"A boatswain's mate has many duties with the cargo unit," Duby said. "I operate cranes, tie down equipment and ensure cargo and equipment are being properly handled."

Flores serves as a storekeeper for the unit.

"I'm proud to be part of this operation," said Flores, wife of Daniel Flores of Las Vegas. "To prepare for this we've trained on cargo and combat skills,"

The Navy unit was sent to training at the Army Transportation School in Fort Eustis, Va., prior to deployment to Kuwait. It is relieving an Army unit as part of a scheduled rotation between service branches in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Guard NCO of Year

Reno resident Staff Sgt. Shaun Weakland was named the NCO of the Year this month by the Nevada Army National Guard. Weakland, 28, is a platoon sergeant for the maintenance section of the 113th Aviation, D Co., based in Stead and supervises 14 mechanics who maintain the unit's Chinook helicopters.

A 1994 graduate of McQueen High School, he joined the Nevada Army National Guard in 1999 after serving four years on active duty. While on active duty, Weakland was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division and was in the jump testing program for the Air Force's C-17 aircraft. He was also part of the operation that set a record for longest airborne assault operation (7,700 miles) in Asia in 1997.

In brief

Geleszynski earned a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz., in 2003.

The Enterprise patrolled the Persian Gulf region, and its 80-plane air wing flew more than 19,000 flight hours, conducted 8,000 sorties and seven precision bombing strikes over Iraq.