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Air Force Master Sgt. Willie J. Thomas has retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of military service.

Prior to his retirement, Thomas served as a maintenance flight chief with the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, N.M.

He is the son of Willie C. Thomas of Gainesville.

 

In ceremonies held Aug. 6 at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, several graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Samantha J. Chamberlin

Jordan W. Bomolak

Christopher J. Lee

North Georgia is one of only six senior military colleges in the nation. Participation in the Corps of Cadets, also known as the Boar’s Head Brigade, offers the opportunity to acquire a degree in a chosen field of study while simultaneously earning an officer’s commission in the U.S. Army, either active, guard or reserve.

 

Army National Guard Pvt. Andy G. Osteen has graduated from the Basic Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

The course is designed to train servicemembers to maintain, prepare and load ammunition for firing; operate and perform operator maintenance on prime movers, self-propelled Howitzers, and ammunition vehicles; store, maintain, and distribute ammunition to using units as a member of battery or battalion ammunition section; perform crew maintenance and participate in organizational maintenance of weapons and related equipment; and establish and maintain radio and wire communications.

Osteen is the son of Gary S. and Audrie F. Osteen of Bentwood Drive, Oakwood.

The private is a 2002 graduate of West Hall High School, Oakwood.

 

Army Pvt. Kyle D. Pappas graduated from the Multiple Launch Rocket System Operations/Fire Direction Specialist Advanced Individual Training (AIT) course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

The course is designed to train the students on how to record and transmit firing data, operate fire direction systems and multiple launch rocket system communication equipment.

They also learn to gather operations and intelligence data, and plot that data using charts, maps and records. They learn to drive specialized vehicles, maintain and use generators, and install and maintain a wide range of communications equipment.

He is the son of David J. Pappas of Lake Ridge Terrace, Lawrenceville and Lauren A. Pappas of Price Road, Gainesville.

The private is a 2009 graduate of Collins Hill High School, Suwanee.

 earned a bachelor of science degree and commissioned into the Army’s infantry branch. He is the son of Kevin and Susan Lee of Dacula and graduated from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton. earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and commissioned into the Army’s infantry branch. He is the son of Jonathan W. Gomolak of Auburn and graduated from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton. of Gainesville earned a bachelor of science degree and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army’s military intelligence branch. She is the daughter of Kathy and Bill Chamberlin of Gainesville and graduated from Johnson High School in Hall County.