ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996 TAG: 9606260013
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
Army Sgt. David W. Gravely recently joined forces with more 15,000 British ground, air and naval forces in the largest combined U.S. and British exercise since Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. The exercise was at Fort Bragg, N.C., and was designed to provide U.S. and British service members an opportunity to exchange ideas and better understand each other's military.
The exercise included airborne operations with British soldiers jumping from U.S. airplanes with American parachutes on their backs, and American soldiers doing likewise with British equipment. This was the largest airborne operation for the two armies since World War II.
"I feel that working with the British army was a good experience for us. It allowed soldiers of different nationalities to train and work together, which helps us to prepare for future wartime missions where we may have to work together to accomplish the mission," Gravely said.
Gravely, a red beret wearing soldier, is a combat engineer stationed at Fort Bragg. His duties include conducting training, counseling and providing purpose, motivation and direction for soldiers. He also is responsible for caring for the health, morale and welfare of eighth other soldiers in the engineering squad.
Gravely is a 1987 graduate of Pulaski High School. He is the son of Ira and Brenda Gravely of Pulaski.
Marine CPL J. Garrett Conner recently returned from a two-year tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan. He now is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Conner is a 1992 graduate of Auburn High School. He is the son of Clyde and Carolyn Conner of Riner.
Marine Pfc. Byron M. Sargent of Pearisburg has returned to Camp Pendleton, Calif., after completing a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf. Sargent graduated from Giles High School in 1994. He joined the Marine Corp. in October 1994.
Two area men recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. The training lasted 11 weeks. They are:
Marine Pvt. Charles D. Brightwell, a 1994 graduate of Radford High School. He is the son of Charles and Katie Brightwell of Radford.
Marine Pfc. Michael S. Cromer, a 1995 graduate of Auburn High School. He is the son of Barbara Cromer of Riner.
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Norman T. Bain recently graduated from the nine-week U.S. Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. Bain is a precision measurement equipment laboratory superintendent with the 305th Component Repair Squadron. He is based at McGuire Air Force Base, Trenton, N.J.
A 1978 graduate of Auburn High School, Bain is the son of Bobby and Alice Bain of Christiansburg.
Navy Hospitalman Melissa M. Atkins recently returned to Bremerton, Wash., after completing a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Atkins graduated from Shawsville High School in 1992 and joined the Navy in November 1992. She is the daughter of Maria And Richard Atkins Jr. of Elliston.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jay B. Wynn recently reported for duty with 1st Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan. Wynn is a 1994 graduate of Christiansburg High School. He is the son of Jack and Joyce Wynn of Christiansburg. His wife, Laura, is the daughter of Jerry and Wanda Shepherd of Christiansburg.
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) Gravely, Atkinsby CNB