JACKSON NATIVE ON NAVY ASSIGNMENT NEAR BOSNIA

Navy Seaman Christopher Duerkson, son of Brenda Glenn of Jackson, is on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, and has been serving off the coast of Bosnia-Herzegovina aboard the amphibious transport ship U.S.S. Ponce.

Duerkson is one of 1,600 sailors and 2,000 Marines who make up the three-ship U.S.S. Nassau Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which includes the U.S.S. Ponce, U.S.S. Nassau, U.S.S. Gunston Hall and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Force (22nd MEU).

Since deaparting Norfolk, Va., in late October, Duerkson has served off the coast of Bosnia in the Adriatic Sea working with NATO forces and has participated in combined amphibious landing exercises off Morocco in North Africa. Duerkson also had the unique opportunity to visit Albania following an exercise with the Albanian military.

Equipped with helicopters and landing craft along with Marines from the 22nd MEU, Duerkson's ship is providing a forward presence capable of moving 500 miles per day.

Duerkson is a 1992 graduate of Jackson High School and joined the Navy in September of 1993.