Air Force Airman 1st Class Alejandro J. Castro is currently deployed overseas at a forward-operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.
Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy. Castro, an F-16 avionics system apprentice, is normally assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah. He has two years of military service.
He is the son of Nelson Castro of McLean.
Caitlin B. Diffley has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after completing the Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program and graduating with a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, Ind. Diffley received a degree in Chinese, and was honored as a distinguished graduate.
She is the daughter of William and Pamela Diffley of Great Falls.
The lieutenant is a 2002 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria.
Air Force Cadet Richard M. Harr has graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The graduate received a bachelor of science degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. The officer is scheduled to attend undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Okla. Harr received a degree in biochemistry. He is the son of Richard L. Harr of Dover, Del., and Deborah Anne Yates of Mclean.