Military news

24th Marines

BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq – Marine Corps 1st Lt. Istvan P. Feher and members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Iraqi security forces, recently captured four suspected anti-Iraqi militants in Northern Babil Province.

Feher’s unit also provided assistance from the expeditionary force’s reconnaissance platoon to Iraqi special weapons and tactics members and to Iraqi national guardsmen to help capture a former Baath Party leader and apprehend two men suspected of firing on the Marines.

Since assuming operational control of Northern Babil on July 29, Feher’s unit has worked closely with Iraqi security forces to disrupt criminal and other anti-Iraqi activity in the area. To date, they have captured more than 160 individuals throughout the province. Their mission is to assist Iraqi authorities in fostering security and stability for the nearly 900,000 residents in the province.

Feher’s wife, Sandra, is the daughter of Janet and Horace Givens of Orono.

Plebe Summer

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Navy Midshipman Sara Miller, a 2004 graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School, recently completed Plebe Summer at the U.S. Naval Academy. She has begun four years of preparation for commissioning as a Navy or Marine Corps officer.

Promoted

BOSSIER CITY, La. – Air Force Col. John Mooney III was recently promoted in a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base. Mooney, a 1973 Bangor High School graduate and 1977 University of Maine graduate, is now the commander of the 917th Operation Group.

Mooney is the recipient of decorations for service including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He has served in the first Gulf War, the second Gulf War and in Afghanistan.

In 1991, Mooney flew on the first bombing mission in Iraq.

Mooney’s parents are Cynthia and John Mooney II of Harborside. He is married to Nina (Rogers) Mooney of Madison. They have one son, Patrick.

Basic training

SAN ANTONIO – Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Andrea A. Cyr has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base.

Cyr is the daughter of Richard Cyr of Hermon and a 2001 graduate of Hermon High School.

SAN ANTONIO – Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Robert D. Van Epps has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2004 graduate of Hampden Academy, he is the son of Pamela Jewell of Newburgh.

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Kimberly Perreault has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2004 graduate of Central High School in Corinth, she is the daughter of Cheryl Steeves of Kenduskeag.

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Tara Webb has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2003 graduate of Hampden Academy, she is the daughter of Karen Webb of Hampden.

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Justine A. Carroll has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2003 graduate of Old Town High School, Carroll is the daughter of Eugene and Bernice Carroll of Greenbush.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Army Reserve Pvt. Brooks Kenney has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson. A 2004 graduate of Bangor High School, he is the son of Bob Kenney of Greenbush and Diana Kenney of West Gardiner.