RETIREMENT

RETIREMENT
Drysdale puts in 26 years
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Cheri L. Drysdale, daughter of Naomi R. Baker of Cortland, has retired from the Air Force after more than 26 years of military service.
Before retiring, Drysdale was a Team Dyess Career Assistance Advisor with the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas.
The sergeant graduated in 1978 from Lakeview High School, Cortland, and received an associate degree in 1987 from the Community College of the Air Force.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Drake tackles unit course
Army Pvt. Aisha D. Drake, daughter of Paula J. and Jeff E. Drake of Austintown, has graduated from the Unit Supply Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at the Quartermaster Battalion, Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
The course is designed to train students to receive, inspect, segregate, store, inventory, issue, deliver and turn-in organizational and installation supplies and equipment; maintain automated supply systems for accountability with use of unit computers; issue and receipt of small arms, and secure and control weapons and ammunition supplies.
Drake is a 2004 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School.
Jones finishes AIT course
Army Pvt. Matthew T. Jones has graduated from the Network Switching Systems Operator-Maintainer Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga.
The course is designed to train the soldier to install, operate, and perform systems maintenance on large and small electronic switches; system control centers; node management facilities; associated multiplexing and combat net radio interface equipment; short range line of sight radio systems; communications security devices, and other equipment associated with network switching operations.
He is the son of Jackie and Carl Jones of Medina, Ohio.
His wife, Megan, is the daughter of Ron Mills and Kathy Ueitto, both of Girard.
Robinson completes AIT
Army Pvt. Justin H. Robinson, son of Diane Robinson of Grove City, Pa., has graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. The training included completion of advanced individual training.
During AIT, the soldier completed the Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember Advanced Individual Training course. Trainees learned to maintain, prepare and load ammunition for firing; operate and perform operator maintenance on prime movers, self-propelled Howitzers, and ammunition vehicles; and perform crew maintenance and participate in organizational maintenance of weapons and related equipment. They also learned to establish and maintain radio and wire communications.
Robinson is a 2003 graduate of Grove City High School.
DEPLOYED
11th Marine Unit in Iraq
Marine Corps Pfc Matthew E. Ernst, son of Charles Ernst of Struthers, and Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Robert F. Kontnier, son of Robert Dale Kontnier of Negley, and more than 2,100 Marines and Sailors assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit recently joined Iraqi Security Forces to provide security for elections in Najaf, Iraq.
The unit's primary mission was to sweep the city looking for suspicious activity and deter insurgents trying to disrupt voting.
Ernst is a 2000 graduate of Struthers High School and joined the Marine Corps in July 2003.
Kontnier is a 1983 graduate of Leetonia High School and joined the Marine Corps in April 1984.
BASIC TRAINING
Navy: Seaman Apprentice Jherime C. Dunewood (Warren G. Harding High School '01), son of Theresa and Robbert L. Dunewood of Cortland; Seaman Apprentice Michael J. Ferrell (Warren G. Harding High School '04), son of Shirley L. and Mike G. Meister of Warren; Seaman Recruit Beonka M. Johnson (The Rayen School '04), daughter of Doc T. Johnson of Youngstown.
Army: National Guard Pvt. Aaron D. Fischer, son of Donna and stepson of Clayton Focht of Hubbard; Pfc. Erik T. Woods (Kennedy Christian High School, Hermitage, Pa. '00), son of Thomas Woods of Transfer, Pa. and Carol Scholl of Hermitage, Pa.; Army Pvt. Justin Green (David Anderson Junior Senior High School, Lisbon '04), son of Don Wolf of Lisbon; National Guard Pvt. Danielle R. Fulmer (Austintown Fitch High School '04), daughter of Rochelle Gallo of Youngstown; Army Reserve Pvt. Matthew Traina Jr. ( Lordstown High School '04), son of Barbara Traina of Kipling Ave., Springfield, N.J. and stepson of Sonja Wassam of Lordstown; Army Pvt. Gregory W. Costas (John F. Kennedy High School, Warren, '02), son of William Costas Cortland.
REUNIONS
The 5th Army Association will conduct a 10-day final tour of Italy leaving New York June 15, visiting Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Sorrento and a special stop at the American Military Cemetery near Anzio.
Former members of the many combat divisions and support groups, their families, friends, and those interested in the history of the U.S. 5th Army can contact Sy Canton at 5277B Lakefront Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33484; (561) 865-8495.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or e-mailed to alcorn@vindy.com.