Information received from the United States has stated that Steve A. Hodge, who was born in The Valley, Anguilla, retired from the US Navy on Friday, September 6, at a farewell service at All Saints chapel at the Naval Station in South Carolina. His Career was set out in the brochure for the event:
Petty Officer Hodge began his active duty career on January 4, 1990, in Texas after enlisting the US Navy on July 10, 1989. “Upon completion of recruit, Fireman Apprenticeship training in San Diego CA, he reported aboard USS Deyo DD989 for duty at Naval Station Charleston, SC. While deployed with the Deyo in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm he was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class. Upon returning to Charleston, after the war, Petty Officer Hodge was transferred to Naval Station Charleston for limited duty following shoulder surgery.
“Petty Officer Hodge detached from Naval Station Charleston in 1993 and reported to ABF A-School in Millington, TN. After completion of A-School, he reported to USS Bellau Wood (LHA-1) forward deployed to Sasebo Japan for duty in the Aviation rate. During this period ABF3 was assigned as the Flight Deck Leading Petty Officer during Operation United Shield in Somalia. He was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class during his tour onboard USS Bellau Wood.
“ABF2 Hodge received orders to report to Naval Air Station Fallon Nevada in the fall of 1995. After reporting on board, he was assigned to Operation Department as the Department fuel and hazardous material control technical advisor. During his tour at Naval Air Station Fallon, ABF2 Hodge was instrumental in providing support for 25 Carrier / Marine Air Groups deployed to Fallon for training in support of pending Carrier deployments.
“In December 1998, Petty Officer Hodge transferred to Lack land Air force base for loadmaster training before reporting to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay Crete Greece for duty. During his tenure he was awarded the Nato Medal for operations in the Mediterranean that included Joint U.S. and multi-national peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and Albania.
“ABF2 Hodge reported to, USS JUNEAU (LPD 9), to assume the duties as Flight Deck Supervisor on March 28, 2000. During his tenure the crew of the USS JUNEAU was awarded the Navy’s “Battle Efficiency Award” for the first time in two years. He qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and was promoted to Petty Officer First Class in September 2000, the only crew member selected for advancement from 39 eligible Second Class Petty Officers.
“ABF1 Hodge reported to USS TARAWA (LHA-3) for duty in the spring of 2002 and assumed the duties as division leading petty officer onboard the USS TARAWA (LHA-3) as part of the TARAWA Amphibious Ready Group in support of the Second Gulf war. He qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist during his tour onboard USS TARAWA.
“ABF1 Hodge received orders to report to Naval Air Station Fallon Nevada in the summer of 2004. After reporting on board, he was assigned to Operation Department as the Department fuels division leading petty officer, responsible for all refueling and defueling operations for over 450 aircrafts deployed to Naval Station Fallon for training. In September of 2005 he was selected and promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
“Chief Hodge received orders and reported to Commanding Officer USS ENTERPISE (CVN 65) in July of 2007 as a part of the ENTERPRISE Battle Group in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom. In March of 2009 he completed an eight month tour of duty in Iraq as an Individual Augmentee in support of operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return to the ENTERPRISE, he was instrumental in getting the ship out of the Newport News shipyard after a 28 month maintenance period in preparation for her final two deployments after 51 years of service.
“Chief Hodge reported to Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston as a Correctional Officer in October 2010. He will be retiring September 2013 after 23.9 years of naval service.
“He is married to the former Ondrei Harris; they have one son John Ivory and two daughters Nikayla and IIani Hodge.”
