Serving our country

Recent news about Petaluma members of the U.S. Armed Forces:

Paul R. Willis Jr., Air Force

Master Sgt. Paul R. Willis Jr., a former Petaluma resident, will retire from the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 1, 2009 after 22 years of service.

Willis was born in Takoma Park, Md., to Lois and Paul Willis Sr. He graduated from high school in 1986 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1987.

Upon completion of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he attended technical training for jet engine mechanics at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. After training, he was assigned to the 60th Field Maintenance Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, where he worked the isochronal inspection dock for C-141 aircraft.

Willis was later reassigned to the Royal Air Force Station at Bentwaters, England, where he worked in the 81st Component Repair Squadron. While assigned to the engine shop, he supported operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a member of the Queen Bee Engine Facility, responsible for all A-10 aircraft. He was later deployed to Saudi Arabia and supported Desert Calm.

In November of 1992, he was assigned to the 388th Maintenance Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in the jet engine intermediate maintenance section.

Willis was reassigned to the Department of the Air Force in Las Vegas in June 1997. He was later selected for a short remote assignment to Kunsan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. He returned to the Department of the Air Force in 2003 and has been there ever since.

Willis was recognized for his years of service in a Sept. 28 ceremony. He plans to make his home in Las Vegas.

Christopher M. Ferrari, Navy

Navy Reserve airman Christopher M. Ferrari completed U.S. Navy Basic Training in September at Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill.

The eight-week training program included classroom study and instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, along with shipboard and aircraft safety. He also participated in “Battle Stations,” boot camp’s capstone event.

Ferrari is the son of Barbara K. Ferrari of Moorehead, Minn. and Michael J. Ferrari of Petaluma. He is a 200 graduate of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Senior High School of Glyndon, Minn.

Jennifer N. Rea, Navy

Casa Grande High School graduate and Navy seaman Jennifer N. Rea has completed the eight-week U.S. Navy basic training in Great Lakes, Ill.

The eight-week training program included classroom study and instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, water safety and survival, along with shipboard and aircraft safety.

Rea is the daughter of Janis E. and Gaylord G. Rea of Petaluma. She graduated from Casa Grande in 2008.

Chelsea K. Hudson, Coast Guard

Coast Guard seaman Chelsea K. Hudson recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.

Hudson is a 2009 graduate of Petaluma High School. She is the daughter of Shannon R. and Scotty W. Hudson of Petaluma.

— Argus-Courier