Milton resident deployed to Arabian Gulf as Iraq conflict continues

Navy Airman Zachary Harmon, son of Mannon and Kerri Harmon of Milton, was recently deployed to the Arabian Gulf while assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77.)

The move to the Arabian Gulf will provide the president additional flexibility should military options be required to protect American lives, citizens and interests in Iraq.

The Bush will be accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103).

Bush departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., earlier this year to operate in the Middle East region as part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed naval forces to support maritime security operations.

Harmon, along with approximately 6,000 other sailors, spent the last year conducting numerous training and certification exercises to establish a safe, cohesive organization capable of performing a wide variety of missions across the globe, ranging from counter-piracy and ground support operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

American naval presence in the Arabian Gulf continues to support the United States' longstanding commitments to the security and stability of the region.

Harmon is a 2011 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School.