An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Sept. 13, 2013

Alaska Guard members re-enlist aboard Navy ship in Persian Gulf on Sept. 11

By Maj. Randall Stillinger 36th Combat Aviation Brigade

USS MONTEREY, PERSIAN GULF - Four Guard members from Wasilla, Alaska, re-enlisted in the Alaska Army National Guard on Wednesday while aboard the USS Monterey (CG-61) in the Persian Gulf.

Sgt. 1st Class George Koval, Sgt. 1st Class Julie Small, Sgt. Kurt Miller and Sgt. Amber Hillman, all members of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, are deployed to the Middle East with the 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade.

The Guardsmen are deployed to Camp Buehring in Kuwait for nine months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They were aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser to conduct Deck Landing Qualifications with the company's UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

The training is part of ongoing, joint Army-Navy operations which provides security in the region and the free flow of maritime traffic in the gulf. Of particular importance is the Strait of Hormuz between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, which is crucial to the export of oil to the world market.

Sgt. 1st Class Koval serves as a Platoon Sergeant in the company, which has been in Kuwait since April.

"I re-enlisted because this country needs people who still believe in her and are willing to sacrifice everything for everyone," Koval said. "I am extremely proud to do what I do and at a time in history when it really means a lot."

Soldiers often request a special location or a certain way to conduct the re-enlistment ceremony in order to make it unique and memorable. It's also a reward for excellent work and service to country, Koval stated.

Sgt. Hillman, a UH-60 crew chief, said that being on the Navy ship was awesome as it made the re-enlistment so much more special, out in the middle of the gulf with her extended family.

The significance of being deployed to the Middle East on the anniversary of the worst terrorist act on American soil was on these Soldiers' minds.

Sgt. Miller, who also serves as a crew chief, said, "I was glad to re-enlist on the anniversary because it is not only a commitment to the military, but also a commitment to service to our nation."

Getting the chance to work on board Navy ships is a new experience for these Army Soldiers.

"It was great to be on the Monterey and see so many crewmembers working to make the ship run well," Miller said.

Capt. Nathan Cornilles, of Eagle River, serves as the Alpha Company Commander. He said that he's proud of the commitment they have made to serve our country, and draws strength from them for choosing to make 9/11 a day that they reaffirm that dedication.

While the mission is first and foremost, life at home thousands of miles away in Wasilla remains on their minds.

Sgt. 1st Class Small, who is married with three children, said "Thank you to all of my family and friends who have shown their support and love throughout this entire deployment." Small's husband and one of her daughters also serve in the U.S. military.

The company will return to their home base at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage this winter.

 

 

Related Articles
LTC Michael Antonas of the Ohio Army National Guard presented a challenge coin Feb. 26 to four Hacking for Defense students at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for their work on a project to help recruiting efforts.
Ohio Army National Guard Hacking a Recruiting Challenge
By Chierren Denman, | May 23, 2025
PITTSBURGH – The Ohio Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion partnered with four Hacking for Defense students at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to increase Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)...

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 166th Regiment - Regional Training Institute completed a Combat Lifesaver course at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Dec. 16-20, 2024.
Pennsylvania Guard Medical Training Sites Consolidate, Aligning Training Efforts
By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith, | May 23, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — In a significant step toward streamlining Army medical training operations and enhancing readiness, the Medical Simulation Training Center (MSTC) here has consolidated under the 166th Regiment –...

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, joins reserve component senior leaders to appear before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense during a presidential review of the National Guard and reserve forces fiscal year 2026 budget in Washington, May 22, 2025.
Nordhaus to Senate: ‘National Guard Delivers Incredible Value to America’
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, | May 23, 2025
WASHINGTON —Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense Thursday, the National Guard Bureau’s senior leader emphasized the Guard’s value to America.Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, the 30th...