In the Service

Alexander S. Pedersen, son of Marlene and Lars Pedersen of Manal-apan, has entered basic cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., to prepare for entrance into his first academic year at the academy. The six-week orientation program, which consists of two phases, trains men and women to meet the rigorous mental and physical challenges of being a cadet. Individuals complete the obstacle, confidence, assault and leadership reaction courses and also participate in a rescue mission called Operation Warrior. Dur-ing phase two, cadets train outdoors and live in tents while learning to function in field conditions. Pedersen is a 2004 graduate of High Technology High School, Lincroft.

Army Pvt. Wendee L. Reynolds, daughter of Deanna L. and William L. Reynolds of Howell, has graduated from the mortuary affairs specialist course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. Her training included search and recovery operations, disinterment, identification, evacuation, and disposition of remains and personal effects. Reynolds is a 2001 graduate of Freehold Township High School.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bryan M. Vitalo, son of Cynthia A. Vitalo of Freehold and Daniel J. Vitalo of New Castle, Del., has recently begun the process of ensuring security and stability in the central Iraqi province of Northern Babil. Along with more than 2,000 other Marines and sailors assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), he is operating from Forward Operating Base Kalsu, which provides security against insurgents and anticoalition militia for hundreds of Marines in the unit. MEUs are built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a combat service support element, a reinforced helicopter squadron and a command element. With its fully integrated air and ground forces, Vitalo’s unit is prepared to conduct real-world operations such as boat raids, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, noncombatant evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance operations. A 2002 graduate of Freehold High School, Freehold Bor-ough, Vitalo joined the Marine Corps in August 2002.

Marine Corps Sgt. Michael R. Hernando, son of Barbara Laetzo of Chester, N.Y., and Angel Hernando of Manalapan, recently began the process of ensuring security and stability in the central Iraqi province of Northern Babil. Along with more than 2,000 other Marines and sailors assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), he is operating from Forward Operating Base Kalsu, which provides security against insurgents and anticoalition militia for hundreds of Marines in the unit. MEUs are built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a combat service support element, a reinforced helicopter squadron and a command element. Hernando’s unit — with its fully integrated air and ground forces — is prepared to conduct real-world operations including boat raids, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, noncombatant evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance operations. Hernando joined the Marine Corps in April 1994.