Mail call for Aug. 17

Hancock retiring as Special Ops commander

Lt. Col. Mark D. Hancock is retiring as commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command Deployment Cell based at MacDill Air Force Base in  Tampa, Fla. 

A native of Papillion, Hancock began his military career after enlisting in the Nebraska Air National Guard in May 1984. Hancock entered the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Nebraska in Omaha in September, 1986. Hancock received his commission in May 1988.

Prior to assuming his current command, Hancock was commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency-Egypt, where he was responsible for the administration of foreign military sales contracts valued at over $600 million to Egypt.

Hancock is the grandson of Mary (Mrs. Charles) Dickson of Grand Island and a nephew of Robert and Patricia Hancock of Cairo. He also is the grandson of deceased longtime Grand Island residents Elvin "Al" and Pauline Hancock.

 

Stocker retires after 20 years in Navy

Navy Cmdr. Vaughn L. Stocker, son of Jean Axmann of Ravenna, recently retired after 20 years of service and was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Stocker was recently serving as joint mobility officer and European Command branch chief, Operations and Plans Directorate while assigned to U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Stocker led a team of transportation professionals in developing transportation solutions supporting contingency and exercise movements for Europe and Africa. He also ensured the timely delivery of more than 14,000 passengers, 8,000 tons of air cargo and 900,000 square feet of sealift cargo to the European theater.

During Stocker's career, he served as a supply officer for Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; USS Nebraska, Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Silverdale, Wash. ; and the now decommissioned USS Yorktown. 

Stocker's personal awards include four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Stocker is a 1983 graduate of Ravenna High School.



Briefly ...

Army Reserve Spec. Kevin W. Dubas Jr. has returned to the 603rd Military Police Company based in Belton, Mo., after being deployed to an overseas forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dubas, a military policeman, has served in the military for three years. He is the son of Kevin W. Dubas Sr. of Fullerton. The reservist graduated in 2005 from Fullerton High School, and in 2005 received a degree in welding from Northeast Community College.

Army Spec. Lee R. Retzlaff with the HHT 9/1 Cavalry based out of Fort Hood, Texas, deployed in June for his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He is the son of Russ and Cheryl Retzlaff of Grand Island and a 1996 graduate of Clarks High School. His grandparents are August and Carolyn Retzlaff and Arthur and Carolyn Davis, all of Grand Island.   Retzlaff is with the Intelligence Unit of the 9/1 Cavalry and will be deployed for a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq.