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Military news

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 13, 2005

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert W. Stonaker, son of Diane Croft of Largo, and more than 470 Navy reservists were mobilized from Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force (NAVELSF) Charlie, home-based in Williamsburg, Va. They were deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. Stonaker's unit will work for the Army to provide a critical combat service support mission. Sailors are relieving Army personnel as part of a scheduled force rotation. NAVELSF Charlie's primary mission is cargo handling, which includes vessel on-loading and off-loading as well as conducting marshaling yard operations. Stonaker is a 1983 graduate of Irvington High School in New Jersey. He joined the Navy in July 2003.

Air Force Airman Daryl R. Watson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, he studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. Those who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Watson is the son of David Watson of Clearwater. He is a 2005 graduate of Countryside High School.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua W. Wood recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. During the eight-week training program, Wood completed a training curriculum of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. Wood will join 36,000 other men and women who make up the Coast Guard's force. Wood is a 2001 graduate of Clearwater High School. He is the son of Tina D. Eden of Dunedin and John W. Wood of Pinellas Park.

Col. Thomas Poulos Jr. of Clearwater, a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, retired Sept. 30 after 30 years of military service. Poulos and his wife, Cynthia, also of Clearwater, graduated from Florida State University. Poulos, whose career has taken his family from South Korea to England, also flew combat missions over Iraq during Desert Storm. The couple have two daughters, Lynette and Kristin, one son, Matthew, and two granddaughters. Poulos is the son of Thomas and Josephine Poulos of Clearwater. Both his father and his wife's father are retired Air Force pilots who served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

[Last modified November 13, 2005, 03:00:43]