MILITARY BRIEFS

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Air Force Airman Andrew J. Vela recently graduated from basic military training atLackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He is the son of Francisco Vela of Springdale and a 2008 graduate ofSpringdale High School.

Army Reserve 1st Lt.

Kitty D. Powell was recently mobilized and activated at Fort Dix, N.J., in preparation for deployment to serve in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. The soldier is a member of A Company, 431st Civil Affairs Battalion, Camp Robinson, North Little Rock.

She is the daughter of Junior L. Powell of Springdale.

Navy Airman Aaron Clark, a native of Pea Ridge and a 2004 graduate of Pea Ridge High School, is currently deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Truman in the Gulf of Oman.

Aircraft from USS Truman are flying combat missions into Afghanistan.

Clark is an aviation ordnanceman, responsible for building and transporting weapons for aircraft. Hisparents, Randy and Darlene Clark, reside in Pea Ridge.

Pvt. Eli Stokes of Prairie Grove has recently enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard and will attend basic training followed by advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Okla., as a cannon crew member. Upon returning to Arkansas, Stokes will serve with Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 206th Field Artillery in Morrilton.

He is the son of Patricia Hampton and is a senior at Prairie Grove High School.

Pvt. Josue Tovias of Fayetteville recently enlisted into the Arkansas Army National Guard. He will attend basic training followed by advanced individual training at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., as a wheeled vehicle mechanic.

Pvt. Joshua Baxter of Winslow recently enlisted into the Arkansas Army National Guard. He will attend basic training followed by advanced individual training at Fort Lee, Va., as a petroleum vehicle specialist. Upon returning to Arkansas, Baxter will serve with Alpha Company 217th Brigade Support Battalion in Lincoln.