Military notes

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Army National Guard Spec. Nathaniel V. Haigler has been mobilized and activated at Fort Dix, N.J., for a deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldier is a member of the 158th Calvary, Annapolis.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility.

Haigler is a healthcare specialist (combat medic) with three years of military service.

He is the son of Ken D. and Robbin A. Haigler of Lusby.

He is a 2004 graduate of Patuxent High School in Lusby.

Degren completes basic training

Army Pfc. Krystal L. Degren 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, the military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

She is the stepdaughter of Kimberly Degren of Chesapeake Beach. She is a 2006 graduate of Huntingtown High School.

Miesner graduates training

Army Pvt. Devin N. Miesner has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consisted of basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).

During basic training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremonies, military customs and courtesies, map reading, tactics, basic rifle marksmanship, physical fitness, field training, and first aid skills.

The recruit developed combat skills and handled various weapons available to the infantry soldier.

During AIT, the soldier received instruction to serve as an infantryman⁄mortarman using light and heavy anti-armor weapons, indirect-fire support, and mechanized operations while assigned to a rifle or mortar squad.

He is the son of Sheila Jenkins of Mechanicsville, and Michael Miesner of Prince Frederick.

He graduated in 2007 from Chopticon High School in Morganza.