Active Duty

Published 10:49 pm Sunday, April 11, 2010

The crew of the Everett-based USS Shoup recently completed a successful surface ammunition-fire support exercise while conducting training operations off the coast of Southern California.

Such support from the sea is designed to protect Marines operating on the shore and often is the Navy’s key advantage in counter-piracy operations. The ship and its crew are scheduled for deployment later this year.

Air Force Airman Micah Mato graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Debbie Santiago of Mukilteo and Marc Mato of Kaneohe, Hawaii. Mato is a 2008 graduate of Kamiak High School.

Air Force Airman Justin Parker recently graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Jeffrey and Christine Parker of Langley, and grandson of Patricia Rothwell of Langley, Ronald Parker of Everett and Donald and Elaine Hall of Snohomish. A 2008 graduate of South Whidbey High School, the airman plans to graduate from technical school on June 3 and be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont.

Air Force Airman Devon Hackley graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Arlene and David Hackley of Arlington and is a 2008 graduate of Arlington High School.

Army Staff Sgt. Theodore Aarstad has been selected to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Ala. After completing warrant officer candidate school, he will attend helicopter pilot flight training. He is currently a Black Hawk helicopter technical inspector assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma. The staff sergeant has served in the military for nine years. Aarstad is the son of Theodore and stepson of Lynn Aarstad of Duvall. His mother and stepfather are Delores and Scott Crocker of Snohomish. The sergeant is a 1995 graduate of Cedarcrest High School in Duvall.

Air Force Airman Joshua Neighbours graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of William Neighbours of Oak Harbor and is a 2007 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

Army Pfc. Thomas Linville has graduated from one station unit training at Fort Knox, Ky., which included basic combat training and advanced individual training. He is the son of Angela Noel of Marysville and is a 2008 graduate of Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

Air Force Airman Bryce Sellers graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Jodi Locke of Marysville and is a 2009 graduate of Edmonds-Woodway High School.

Army Pvt. Kyle Brown has graduated from the basic field artillery cannon crew advanced individual training course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. Brown is the son of JoAnn Brown of Snohomish and Kelly Brown of Woodinville. The private is a 2006 graduate of Monroe High School.

Army Pvt. Brian Hughs has graduated from the H-8 tracked-vehicle recovery specialist course at Fort Knox, Ky. He is the son of Carlton and Sharron Hughs of Oak Harbor and the husband of Sarah Hughs. The private is a 2009 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

Army Pvt. Kindsay Drake has graduated from the field artillery firefinder radar operator advanced individual training course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Paula and William Drake of Mukilteo and is a 2009 graduate of Independence High School in Everett.

To submit news for the Active Duty column, contact reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.