Gulf Breeze soldier returns from Afghanistan

Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Phillips, son of Richard and Jean Phillips of Gulf Breeze, has returned to Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska after being deployed to Afghanistan for a year.

The soldier is one of 3,500 members of the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division stationed at Fort Richardson. Airborne combat team members included soldiers assigned to one of six battalions and regiments of the 25th Infantry Division.

The airborne brigade served in three eastern provinces of Afghanistan, which included the Paktya, Paktika and Khost. Some of the challenges the brigade soldiers faced included poverty, unemployment, security, and management of natural resources and government institutions. Soldiers improved roads, provided vocational training in construction and civics, improved and re-opened 29 schools, remodeled six medical clinics and improved three district courthouses.

While deployed in Afghanistan, Phillips was decorated with the Army Commendation Medal.

Phillips, a fires targeting noncommissioned officer, is assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. He has more than 17 years of military service. The sergeant is a 1992 graduate of Milton High School.

¦ Marine Corps Pvt. Nicholas C. Wilson, son of Timothy L. Wilson, of Pensacola, recently completed basic training at Parris Island, S. C. . . . Navy Seaman Apprentice Christina M. Crowe, daughter of Reina and John Crowe of Pensacola, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training and was meritoriously promoted to rank Great Lakes, Ill.