Brig. Gen. Don McCormack, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, presented the Air Force Outstanding Unit award to 243rd Engineering Installation Squadron Commander Maj. Larry O’Connell at a ceremony Sept. 8 as the unit and their families gathered for the first time since their nearly nine-month deployment.

Bronze Stars, Army and Air Force Commendation Medals, Meritorious Service Medals and other personal awards and medals were also presented during the event in South Portland. It is the sixth time the 243rd squadron has received the Outstanding Unit award.

Army Spec. Garrett G. Staples graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of Sharon Staples of Scarborough and Gregory Staples of Portland. Staples graduated from South Portland High School in 2006 and from Bryant University, Smithfield, R.I., in 2010.

Air Force Airman Ryan P. Fletcher graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Fletcher is the son of Gretchen Fletcher-Lytle of Eliot and Wayne Fletcher of Windham. He is a 2011 graduate of Marshwood High School, South Berwick.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Timothy A. Chunn, son of Wendy Chunn of York Beach, has completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Chunn is a 2010 graduate of Glencoe (Ala.) High School.

Maine Army National Guard has announced the August promotion to the rank specified for these soldiers:

2nd Lt. Adam Bilodeau, Saco, 251st Engineer Company (Sapper);

Spc. Danielle Dineen, Leeds, 152 Maintenance Company (HV)(GS);

Spc. Michael Freeman, Lisbon, 152 Maintenance Company (HV)(GS);

Pfc. Brian Griffin, Scarborough, Detachment 1, 136th Engineer Company;

Spc. John Hobbs II, Portland, 251st Engineer Company (Sapper);

Spc. Kane Lapid Isiah, Portland, 133rd Forward Support Company;

Pfc. Brent Ouellette, Lewiston, 251st Engineer Company (Sapper);

Sgt. Michael Penfold, Yarmouth, 262nd Engineer Company;

Spc. Lindsey Poitras, Gorham, Detachment 1, 262nd Engineer Company;

Spc. Nathan Prince, Portland, 251st Engineer Company (Sapper);

Sgt. First Class Jon Robichaud, Jay, 262nd Engineer Company;

Sgt. Rachael Robinson, West Paris, Detachment 1, 136th Engineer Company;

Spc. Jason Rowe Sr., Hartford, 136th Engineer Company;

CW2 Robert Salvato Jr., Livermore Falls, 152 Maintenance Company (HV)(GS);

Pfc. Jeffery Waters, Limerick, 251st Engineer Company (Sapper);

Maj. Stacey York, Mechanic Falls, Mearng Med Det.

Copy the Story Link