WHIDBEY ISLAND NAVAL AIR STATION — The 180 men and women of Electronic Attack Squadron 142 “Gray Wolves” are home after six months of service in Iraq.
During the deployment, VAQ-142 air crews flew 1,980 hours for military operations.
In other news at the naval air station, Capt. Thomas A. Slais Jr. has relieved Capt. Bradley Russell as Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Russell led the beginning of the electronic attack community’s transition from EA-6B Prowler to EA-18G Growler.
Slais enlisted in the Navy in 1980 and has earned many decorations. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he also has a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He has logged more than 3,400 flight hours and 725 carrier-arrested landings, with more than 3,200 hours in the EA-6B Prowler.
Army Cpl. James Daoust is serving as field medic with the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division in Afghanistan. A 2003 Everett High School graduate, he is the son of Ron and Sandy Daoust of Everett. Recently he provided aid to an Afghan boy during air assault mission to search the Khost province.
Air Force Reserve Maj. Tony Edwards has returned from service as commander of the 446th Logistics Readiness Flight team in Afghanistan with a Bronze Star. He received the medal for his role as director of airlift for all special operations forces in Afghanistan last year. A State Farm insurance agent from Everett, Edwards is married to Nicole Edwards and is the father of two. His insurance business staff ran the office while he was gone. Edwards is a 12-year veteran of the Air Force Reserve.
Air Force Airman Kyle R. Rogerson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Katherine Rogerson of Everett.
Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Zachary M. Felke graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Sherry Felke of Lynnwood and Alan Felke of Marysville. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Air Force Airman Stephen L. Verducci graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Larry Verducci of Arlington and is a 2008 graduate of Arlington High School.
Army Pvt. Andrew Rios has completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He now is serving at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., where he is training to become an explosive ordnance disposal specialist. He is the son of Benny and Sharon Rios of Everett and is a 2006 graduate of Cascade High School.
Samantha R. Welch has graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky. The cadet is a student at Northern Arizona University. She is the daughter of James and Margaret Welch of Arlington and is a 2007 graduate of Arlington High School.
Navy Airman Apprentice William E. Graves, son of Carol Ciaramella of Edmonds and Robert Graves of Port Townsend, recently completed the Aviation Electrician’s Mate Course at Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola, Fla. Graves is a 2005 graduate of Edmonds-Woodway High School. He joined the Navy in December.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Michael G. McClelland, son of Donna and stepson of Dave Eynon of Brier, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Coast Guard Seaman Alexander H. Franzese, a 2008 graduate of Stanwood High School, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.
To submit an entry for Active Duty, contact Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
