Former Wasilla resident retires from Navy

After more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy, a former Wasilla resident pulled into port for the final time.

Utilitiesman Chief Ricky Allen Jensen retired from the U.S. Navy after a long and distinguished career. Jensen was born in Palmer in 1962 and was raised in Wasilla. He joined the Navy in 1981, and now, he is calling it quits.

His 22-year Naval career took him to many destinations around the world. He visited France, Japan, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Greece, Spain, Crete, Bosnia, Philippines, Antarctica and Italy during his career.

The only time he reported close to home was in 1983, when he was stationed in Adak with the Public Works Department for a brief time.

Jensen has received numerous awards during his career.

They include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), Battle "E" (two awards), Good Conduct Medal (six awards), National Defense Medal (two awards), Antarctica "Winter Over" Medal, Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal (five awards), Over Seas Service Ribbon (five awards), Expert Rifle Medal and Sharp Shooter Pistol Ribbon.

There was a retirement ceremony held in Jensen's honor on May 30 at Port Hueneme, Calif.

Jensen retired as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist. He has one daughter, Tabatha Franklin. His mother, Jean Jensen, is a Wasilla resident.

In other military news:

NAVY SEAMAN DAVID HOOSER, son of Susie and Dale Hooser of Palmer, recently returned from the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Porter, homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Hooser was among the 8,000 Atlantic Fleet sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Battle Group who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Hooser is a 1999 graduate of the Alaska Youth Military Academy. He joined the Navy in February, 2002.

CHRISTOPHER WALL, of Wasilla, has enlisted in the U.S. Army's delayed-entry program as an ammunition specialist. He was scheduled to leave for basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., on July 7. After basic training, he will attend advance individual training at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

Wall is a 2003 graduate of Colony High School. He is the son of Scott Wall and Suzanne Wall, both of Wasilla.

AIR FORCE CADET PETER HUGHES, of Palmer, has graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He received his bachelor of science degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He is scheduled to attend undergraduate pilot training at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga.

Hughes is a 1998 graduate of Colony High School.

He is the son of Roger and Shelley Hughes of Palmer.