FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — Military officials have identified the soldier killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed on a Navy ship during training off the Virginia coast. ...more

October 25, 2009

Senior Airman Ashley Tubbs is the Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Airman of the Year for the period of Oct. 1, 2007 through Sept. 30, 2008. Tubbs, a Tampa native, graduated from Plant High School in 2001 and attended Hillsborough Community College before joining the Air Force in 2004. During the Airman's recent 12-month deployment to Iraq, she was part of the Air Force Police Transition Team and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for her efforts. She instructed Iraqi police on law enforcement operations, and trained and mentored more than 3,000 recruits toward independent operations. Tubbs also received the Combat Action Medal after engaging the enemy on three IED strikes resulting in no squadron or battalion casualties. On Jan. 9, she received a commander's coin from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during his visit to Eglin Air Force Base. ...more

February 4, 2009

Morning radio hosts Chadd and Kristi Thomas of WWRM, 94.9 FM are joining forces on Friday with the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion to benefit Toys for Tots. The DJs will host a 14-hour marathon broadcast at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Oldsmar with Marines who have just returned from a seven-month tour in Iraq. ...more

December 11, 2008

More than 300 people gave a warm welcome Tuesday evening to 70 Marine reservists returning home after a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq. As they stepped off the buses that pulled into the Marine Reserve Training Center on Gandy Boulevard, the troops of the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion were met with waving American flags, shouts and embraces from their loved ones. "Coming home to your family is the greatest thing in the world," said Sgt. Richard Wester of Orlando. The Marines conducted counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and provided base security in Anbar province. The battalion had no casualties during the tour. ...more

November 26, 2008

The cheering began as soon as the buses came into view. ...more

November 25, 2008

If all went well at Cape Canaveral last night, Challenger K-8's alligator astronaut is in space. ...more

November 15, 2008

If all went well at Cape Canaveral last night, Challenger K-8's alligator astronaut is in space. ...more

November 15, 2008

A 38-year-old soldier from Bradenton who had served three previous tours of duty in the Middle East died Sunday in Afghanistan after his unit was ambushed by enemy forces, the Department of Defense said Monday. ...more

September 30, 2008

The U.S. Army Reserve is expanding operations at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport by bringing in additional Black Hawk helicopters, according to U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Nicholas Steele. An Army Reserve unit has been located at the airport since 2001. The Army unit will now have 20 Black Hawk helicopters and that will bring additional jobs to the area, Steele said. ...more

September 25, 2008

Maudie White Hopkins, who grew up during the Depression in the hardscrabble Ozarks and married a Confederate army veteran 67 years her senior, has died. She was 93. ...more

August 20, 2008