Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Peter T. Murphy, son of Mary Frances Murphy of the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, has been mobilized and activated at Fort Dix in preparation for deployment to serve in support of either Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. The soldier is a member of the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade based at Fort Dix, Trenton.
The soldiers are normally activated from Army Reserve or Army National Guard units from throughout the U.S. They go through a series of in-processing procedures and training classes that prepare them for skills and situations they may face in their deployed environment.
Murphy, a military police member, has served in the military for 12 years.
Army National Guard Sgt. Douglas R. Menut, son of Charles H. Menut of Red Bank and Elvira L. Menut of Oakhurst, is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Iraq theater of operations.
The soldiers return to Fort Dix for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.
Menut, a UH-60 helicopter repairer, is a member of the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Helicopter Battalion, Lakehurst. He has served in the military for four years.
The sergeant is a 1996 graduate of Ocean Township High School, Oakhurst.
Army Pvt. Shane B. Eason, the son of Robert M. and Darlene Eason of Eatontown, has graduated from the M1A1 Tank Systems Mechanic Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Knox, Ky.
During the 15-week course, the soldier is trained to be A highly skilled system maintenance mechanic of the main battle tank systems series. The trainee learned to diagnose, test, repair and service engine, hydraulic, powertrain, suspension, and steering controls and fire extinguisher systems.