Air Force Airman Brian Joseph Pharris graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas on Nov. 28, 2003. Pharris is a 2003 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield. He is the son of Howard and Pam Spires of Springfield and Robert and Mary Ann Pharris of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Navy Ensign James Kotora IV, son of Kathy and Jim Kotora of Fairfax, has completed Naval Aviator training and was awarded his wings in a ceremony on Dec. 18 at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Fla. He completed training in Helicopter Training Squadron 18 of Training Air Wing 5 in the TH-57 Sea Ranger. Kotora is a 1998 graduate of James Robinson Secondary School and a 2002 graduate of Virginia Tech. Kotora was commissioned through Navy ROTC in May 2002. Following transition training to MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters, Kotora will be assigned to Agana, Guam.
Navy Lt. Gregory R. Adams, son of Jane W. and William F. Adams of Springfield, recently reported for duty with Naval Logistics Group Western Pacific, Singapore. Adams is a 1995 graduate of Lee High School and joined the Navy in June 1999. He is a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. with a bachelor of science degree.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Robert J. Rollick, son of Patricia and Ronald Rollick of Springfield, and his fellow crewmembers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, home-ported in Norfolk, Va., recently helped launch the ship's first precision-guided munitions attack since the start of the new year.
Two F/A-18 Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 86 deployed from the Enterprise to attack an enemy mortar position near Balad, Iraq, north of Baghdad, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Rollick and fellow crew members also received the Navy's Retention Excellence Award for fiscal year 2003. The award, also known as the Golden Anchor, recognizes a command's ability to meet or exceed its annual goals for sailor retention.
Rollick is a 1978 graduate of West Springfield High School of Springfield.