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Deployment overseas

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Air Force Master Sgt. Mike Sibley is serving a four-month deployment to the war zone in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Hampden Academy graduate is assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Air Field, about 40 miles north of Kabul, where he serves as wing historian. Sibley is responsible for creating the only official permanent record of the 455 AEW’s operations in Afghanistan.

His systematic research and writing is aimed at capturing any lessons that will make the Air Force more effective in the next war, Sibley said.

“Even though I miss my family, I always look forward to a deployment opportunity where I can put the tools and skills provided me by the Air Force into action. One look at the faces of Afghani children tells me all I need to know about the importance of our mission here,” he said.

Sibley was deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho where he worked as historian for the 366th Fighter Wing – The Gunfighters.

He entered the Air Force through basic military training in 1990 and has had assignments at Offutt AFB, Neb.; Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; Dover AFB, Del.; and Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Sibley is a native of Enfield. He is a 1990 graduate of Hampden Academy and the son of Cliff Sibley of Enfield and Alice Demmons of Hermon. He is married to Martha Sibley from Bangor and they have three children.

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing comprises some 1,000 airmen deployed from Air Force bases all over the world. The wing’s primary mission is to support the Global War on Terrorism by providing aerial support for U.S. and Coalition forces throughout Afghanistan.

Since September, the wing has supported more than 2,600 airlift missions moving nearly 40,000 tons and 50,000 passengers, both military and civilian, into and out of the war zone.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft have flown more than 6,000 combat hours employing 21,000 rounds of 30-mm cannon and supporting American and coalition ground forces in more than 130 engagements.

The C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft have flown more than 340 air-land missions and nearly 80 airdrop missions providing food and supplies to military forces and civilian populations. Its explosive ordnance specialists have destroyed more than 7,200 mines, rockets and other captured weapons and munitions.

Promotions

AUGUSTA – Maj. Gen. John W. Libby, commissioner, Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management and the Adjutant General, Maine National Guard, announced the following promotion of Maine Army National Guard soldiers:

. Timothy McClary, promoted to specialist E-4, 112th Medical Co. (Air AMB), Bangor.

. Dane Rasmussen, promoted to sergeant E-5, 112th Medical Co. (Air AMB), Bangor.

. Jeffrey Goldrup, promoted to private E-2, 1136th Transportation Co., Bangor.

. Andrew O’Brien, promoted to private E-2, 1136th Transportation Co., Bangor.

. Dustin Stevens, promoted to private E-2, 1136th Transportation Co., Bangor.

. Jeffrey Taylor, promoted to private first class E-3, 1136th Transportation Co., Bangor.

. Harold Mason, promoted to staff sergeant E-6, 195th Army Band, Bangor.

. Keith Daniels, promoted to private E-2, Company B, 3/172 Infantry (MTN), Brewer.

. Jeremy Szady, promoted to private first class E-3, Company B, 3/172 Infantry (MTN), Brewer.

. Beau Blanchard, promoted to private E-2, Company B, 3/172 Infantry (MTN), Brewer.

. Travis Hodsdon, promoted to specialist E-4, Company B, 3/172 Infantry (MTN), Brewer.

. Matthew Jeffrey, promoted to private E-2, Battery B, 152nd Field Artillery, Houlton.

Midshipman of the Semester

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Navy Reserve Midshipman Paul Gillett, son of Gail and Geoffrey Gillett of Orono, was recently selected as Midshipman of the Semester with Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit, Norwich University, Northfield, Vt.

Gillett was chosen as the top performer from among all the midshipmen assigned to the command and was cited for outstanding professional accomplishment, proficiency, leadership, initiative and military bearing. He is a 2002 graduate of Orono High School.

Basic training

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Amanda Fox graduated recently from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. She is the daughter of James Scott of Raleigh, N.C., and Diane Bubar of Stetson.

FORT BENNING, Ga. – Army Pvt. Joshua Mitton graduated recently from basic combat training at Fort Benning. He is stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Mitton is the son of Dee Hancock of Dedham and Patrick Mitton of Orrington. He is the grandson of Keith and Shirley Doak of Brewer and Vera Mitton of Brewer.

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Justin Preston graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2005 graduate of Hampden Academy, he is the son of Laura Preston of Hampden.

Stateside

GREENVILLE, Mich. – Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Michael Hurd has returned to the United States after being deployed to Iraq. He is a utilities equipment repairer assigned to the 1073rd Maintenance Co., Greenville, Mich. He is the son of David Hurd of Glenburn and Carolyn Schoonover of Stockbridge, Mich.