ARMED FORCES

ARMED FORCES

VETERANS

New hours

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission is now open continuously from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. It has eliminated its previous noon lunch-hour closing to better serve veterans, said Susan Krawchyk, commission executive director. The commission is located in Building A, Suite 100, at OakHill Renaissance Place, 345 Oakhill Ave.

ASSIGNED

Missile technician

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Cicconi, a 1999 Austintown Fitch High School graduate, is serving at Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic at Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Ga., a command that supports Ohio-class ballistic and guided-missile submarines.

Cicconi, a missile technician, is responsible for the safety and security of D-5 missiles aboard his ship, which is 560 feet long and 42 feet wide and weighs more than 16,500 tons.

It has a nuclear-powered propulsion system that pushes the ship through the water at more than 20 knots. The Ohio-class design allows the submarines to operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls.

The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as an undetectable launch platform for intercontinental ballistic missiles. On average, the submarines spend 77 days at sea followed by 35 days in-port for maintenance.

“I like working with my shipmates, going out to sea and completing strategic missions. I like the daily camaraderie built with my sailors and knowing they trust my leadership skills,” Cicconi said.

The submarines are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles if directed by the president.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Airman 1st Class Lukas R. Gaines, (West Branch High School, Beloit, 2010, and University of Mount Union, Alliance, 2014) son of Russell B. Gaines of North Benton and Diane D. Gaines of Alliance, and the brother of Jaclyn D. Gaines; Airman Kamal J. Muse (Canal Winchester High School, Canal Winchester, 2012), son of Brad Muse of Canal Winchester and Karen Butler of Dublin, and nephew of Jerri Butler of Campbell.

Army: Pvt. Tashauna M. Walls (Choffin Career and Technical Center, Youngstown, 2015), daughter of Harriett D. Randolph and Clinton Walls and sister of Tiara M. Johnson, all of Youngstown; Reserve Pvt. Kavel D. Birchfield (Youngstown Early College, 2015), son of Angela Harris of Youngstown.

Items of note for the Armed Forces Digest can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or emailed to William K. Alcorn at alcorn@vindy.com