Navy Cmdr. Richard J. Postera, 43, was recently awarded the Bronze Star for combat missions over Afghanistan and has been selected for promotion to captain. He and his wife, Kathy, and their two children live in the state of Washington. Postera is the son of Richard H. Postera of Spring Hill.
Postera, a native of Manchester, N.H., was commissioned in the Navy following his graduation from Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he attended on a Navy ROTC scholarship. As a naval flight officer, he received his gold wings in 1984.
In August 2000, Postera reported as executive officer of the VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets under Cmdr. Douglas E. Otte. He assumed command from Otte in a fly-by ceremony from the USS John C. Stennis in January 2002 during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
So far this year, he has been stationed off the coast of North Korea and has completed his tour on the VAQ-138. After a brief visit home, he will report as operations officer of the USS Carl Vinson in late June.
Postera has logged more than 3,000 flight hours and 700 carrier arrestments. He is a designated joint specialty officer. His military decorations and awards include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (strike/flight), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation (4), Battle Efficiency Award (5), and various campaign and service awards.
Navy Hospitalman Nicole Davis recently graduated from the basic hospital corps school at the Naval Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Ill.
During the 14-week course, Davis learned a range of medical procedures. She also received introductory instruction for service in a variety of medical environments, from fleet hospitals and shipboard medical departments to fleet Marine forces and medical administration offices.
Davis' skills and knowledge will enable her to help provide quality health care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families. Her first assignment after school will involve direct patient care, but with her training she can work in several areas, including first aid and assisting with minor surgery, pharmacy and laboratory analysis, patient transportation, and food service inspections.
Davis is a 2002 graduate of Hernando High School. She joined the Navy in September. She is the daughter of Thomas W. Davis of Brooksville and Kay F. Rodgers of Winfall, N.C.
