Military News

Outstanding Senior NCO

BANGOR – Master Sgt. Carol Craig of Brewer, a recruiter at the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor, was honored recently as a senior noncommissioned officer and finalist for the Maine Air National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year Award. Brig. Gen. John Bubar, deputy adjutant general for the state of Maine, honored those chosen during ceremonies at Camp Keyes in Augusta.

Master Sgt. Craig enlisted in the Maine Air National Guard in 1990 after serving three years in the U.S. Air Force. In her current position, Craig has experience in information management, accounting and finance. Her military training includes professional sales skills, diversity facilitation, total quality management and CPR instruction. She was the Maine Air National Guard’s top recruiter in 2003.

Craig’s military decorations include the Master Air National Guard Recruiter Badge, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Craig volunteers for the Abnaki Girl Scout Council, the Junior Achievement Program, the Brewer Police Athletic League and the American Red Cross.

Army Commendation Medal

BANGOR – Army Sgt. Duane W. Walton has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal for participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The medal is awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

Walton is an attack helicopter mechanic regularly assigned in Illesheim, Germany. He has served in the military for four years.

Walton, a 1994 graduate of Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft, is the son of Duane Walton of Carmel and Diane Walton of Monson.

Promotion

OMAHA, Neb. – Kermit Neal has been promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He is a deputy chief for the Command Center Division, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Neb.

Neal is the son of Dean Neal of New Gloucester and Elizabeth Neal of Bangor. He is a 1976 graduate of Penobscot Valley High School in Howland and a 1980 graduate of Husson College.

Basic training

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Reserve airman Nicolas Wood has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. He is the son of Scott Wood of Ellsworth and Sandra Wood of Bangor.

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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Steven Zahakaylo has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2003 graduate of Hampden Academy, he is the son of Steve Zahakaylo of Lake Villa, Ill., and Diane Estes of Winterport.