Military digest 3/16/06

Jackson High graduate retires from Air Force

Major David Brown, the son of Roy Brown of Jackson and the late Marjorie Frost, has retired from the U.S. Air Force after more than 20 years of service on active duty. Brown is a 1979 graduate of Jackson High School. Brown's primary function was as an instructor pilot for the KC-135. He logged more than 5,000 flying hours during his career, 400 of them in combat. Brown's deployments include Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the Bosnian conflict of 1998 and a total of 21 months in the Middle East supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, three meritorious service medals and six air medals.

Military duty takes area man to Kyrgyzstan

Air Force Airman 1st Class Jeffrey A. Koeller has deployed to a coalition base in Kyrgyzstan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Kyrgyzstan is a country in central Asia, west of China, that declared its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Koeller, a fuels unit operator with two years of military service, is the son of Stanley and Martha Koeller of Jackson. The airman is a 2002 graduate of Jackson High School.

Edwards serves aboard USS Donald Cook

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Douglas A. Edwards, son of Kaye and Douglas Edwards of Cape Girardeau, and his fellow shipmates returned from a scheduled deployment while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook, homeported in Norfolk, Va. Donald Cook deployed with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. Edwards is a 1999 graduate of Central High School of Cape Girardeau and joined the Navy in August 2001.

Aircraft carrier crew includes local airman

Navy Airman Melissa L. Bull, daughter of Sandy K. and Kevin M. Schemel of Perryville, Mo., and her fellow shipmates returned from a scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, homeported in Norfolk, Va. Bull joined the Navy in July 2003.

Jackson grad finishes Army combat training

Army Pvt. Alanna B. Smith has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. She is the daughter of Rene and David Smith of Jackson and a 2005 graduate of Jackson High School.

Airmen graduate from Air Force training

Air Force Airman Zachary L. Haupt has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Haupt is the son of Lee Haupt of Jackson and Melinda Halferty of Columbia, Mo. He is a 2005 graduate of Jackson High School.

Seaman visits Australia while serving on carrier

Navy Seaman James P. Dannenmueller, son of Deb and Donald Dannenmueller of Scott City, and his fellow shipmates made a five-day port visit to Brisbane, Australia, while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, based in San Diego. Dannenmueller is a 2001 graduate of Alternative Education High School of Cape Girardeau. He joined the Navy in May 2004.

Master sergeant retires from Air Force

Master Sgt. Dale Lynn Allen recently retired from the Air Force after serving for 20 years. Allen is the son of Harry and Marie Allen of Cape Girardeau. He graduated from University High School in Cape Girardeau in December 1985 and enlisted in the Air Force in January 1986. Allen was stationed at military bases in Delaware, Missouri and California. The last five years he was at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Allen has begun a job in Martinsburg, W.Va.

-- From staff reports