Posted: 12/10/03

Area men, women serve in armed forces

Men and women from throughout the Forest Lake area are serving their country in the armed forces. Please read on for a report on the area residents.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brian N. Dawson, son of Mary K. Posey of St. Paul and Richard A. Dawson of Wyoming is on deployment while assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, home based in Camp Pendleton, CA. Members of Dawsonís unit recently completed operations in Iraq. The MEU conducted more than 300 patrols in Southern Iraq including 50 by the MEUís boat company. Dawsonís unit also trained local police in the set up of security checkpoints, confiscated weapons and destroyed more than 2000 rounds of ordnance, much of what was found near villages and playgrounds. Dawsonís unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually and environment. MEUs are composed of more than 2000 personnel and are divided into an infantry battalion, aircraft squadron, support group and combat element. With this combination, Dawsonís unit supplies and sustains itself for either quick mission accomplishment or clearing the way for follow-on forces.

Air National Guard Airman Matthew Lusian has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Roger and Theresa Lusian, East Bethel.

Army Reserve Pvt. Tyler A. Asplund has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises. He is a 2003 graduate of Forest Lake High School.

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Teresa M. Miller has been activated, mobilized and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq to support the mission of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The soldier is a member of the 353rd Transportation Company headquartered in Buffalo. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime. Active duty, reserve and national guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. The focus of the mission is to liberate the Iraqi people, preserve Iraq as a unified state, keep its territorial integrity intact, and help the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction. Soldiers of the 353rd Transportation Company are responsible for transporting, storing and dispensing millions of gallons of bulk fuel for use in aircraft and vehicles which directly support the war effort in Iraq. Miller is a fuel tanker driver with six years of military service. She is a 1996 graduate of Forest Lake High School.

Lt. Cmdr Penny Baker has returned from participation in exercise annualex 15G. Annualex is a combined exercise composed of Japanese and U.S. Naval forces and is conducted in the Sea of Japan. The focus of Annualex is to improve the military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Japan. Baker was stationed at the Japanese maritime self defense force (JMSDF) headquarters in Funakoshi, Japan. During the exercise Baker was a staff liaison officer in the maritime fleet coordination center (MFCC). The MFCC provides a vital link between the commander, U.S. Naval forces, Japan (CNFJ), The JMSDF and commander, seventh fleet. Baker was part of a joint military staff that included 15 U.S. naval personnel and 15 JMSDF personnel. More than 7,500 U.S. sailors participated in Annualex 15G from U.S.S. Kittyhawk and Battle Force 7th Fleet. About 80 Japanese ships, 170 aircraft and 25,000 Japanese self defense force troops also participated. Lt. Cmdr. Baker is a member of Naval Reserve, commander U.S. Naval Force Japan headquarters unit stationed at Naval Marine Corps Reserve Center, Minneapolis.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Paul M. Savord, son of Kathy and Ervin Savord, Forest Lake, recently graduated from the Basic Enlisted Submarine Course at the Naval Submarine School in Groton, CT. During the six-week course, Savord learned the basic theory, construction, and operation of nuclear-powered submarines. Savord also learned shipboard organization, damage control, and submarine safety and escape procedures. Savord participated in hands-on training with reality simulators, practicing firefighting and flood control on board a submarine. Savord also learned about a submarineís basic hydraulic, water and air systems, and practiced escaping from a simulated sinking submarine. Savord is a 2003 graduate of Forest Lake High School and joined the Navy in July 2003.

Air Force Airman Andrew G. Novak has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Michael and Dianne Novak of Ham Lake.

Air Force Airman Justin L. Kappes has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Mark and Jeanette Kappes of Lever St. N.E., Ham Lake. Kappes is a 2001 graduate of Forest Lake High School.

Top of Page