PROMOTIONS

PROMOTIONS
Marines serving in Japan
Marine Corps Sgt. Jeffrey J. Becker and Cpl. Christopher K. Koepke were promoted to their current ranks while serving with the Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan.
Becker, son of Karen and Joseph Becker of Youngstown, is a 1999 graduate of Struthers High School.
Koepke, son of Keith and Ann Koepke of Jefferson, and Susan and Chuck Paster of Rome, is a 2002 graduate of Jefferson Area High School.
DEPLOYED
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tenika H. Hodge is deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hodge, an airfield management craftsman, is normally assigned to the 97th Operational Support Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
A 1992 graduate of East High School, she is the daughter of Brenda Green of Austintown and the granddaughter of Myrtle Butler of Youngstown.
Conducted airstrikes
Several area residents were aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt when it conducted strikes on an improvised explosive device production facility northeast of Baghdad in support of the global war on terrorism.
They include: Navy Chief Petty Officer William J. Brennan, son of Lori and William J. Brennan of Poland, a 1980 graduate of Ursuline High School; Navy Airman Kris A. Maylone, son of Stephanie A. and Richard A. Maylone of Warren; Petty Officer 2nd Class Collin A. Owens, son of Barbara J. and William H. Owens of New Castle, Pa.; Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack G. Pence Jr., son of Valerie Pence and Jack G. Pence Sr., both of Newton Falls; Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcus A. Plevyak, son of Brenda and James M. Plevyak of Warren, a 2003 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School; Navy Airman Charles C. Sturts, whose wife, Brianna, is the daughter of Joyce and Arnold Barzak of Youngstown.
172nd Stryker Brigade
Army Staff Sgt. David A. Kiser has deployed to Iraq as a member of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Kiser, assigned to the 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, along with soldiers of the 52nd Infantry (Anti-Tank) unit and other units based at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska, make up the Stryker brigade.
Kiser, a radar section chief, is the son of Doug A. and Patrica Kiser of Hubbard, and is a 1990 graduate of Liberty High School.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Reserve Airman 1st Class Alex T. Warner (Warren G. Harding High School, Warren, '05), son of Maria Mackenzie of Warren and grandson of Ruth Warner of Kent.
Army: National Guard Pvt. Kahlena M. Stepowski (Lakeview High School, Stoneboro, Pa., '05), daughter of Debra Stepowski and stepdaughter of Ronald Garrett of Clarks Mills, Pa.; Pfc. Alexander W. Young (Lakeview High School, Cortland, '04), son of William Young and Deborah Williams, both of Cortland.
ACADEMY NEWS
Information session
The Northeastern Ohio Naval Academy Parents' Club is sponsoring an information session for students interested in learning more about the Naval Academy.
Pupils in grades seven through 12, and their parents, are invited to attend the event at the Panera Bread Community Room, 3641 Elm Road N.E., Warren, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. For more information, contact Elaine Brye at (330) 222-2041.
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.