NORFOLK, Va. — Navy Seaman Michaela M. Laplante, daughter of Shari Laplante of Greenville, Ill. and Guy C. Laplante of Lisbon, Maine, along with other sailors stationed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., marking the start of the ship’s eight- to nine-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf.

Truman, along with the other components of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, completed a composite training unit exercise in January prior to their originally scheduled February deployment, and also a sustainment exercise and fleet synthetic training exercise in June.

The February deployment was delayed due to sequestration and the change of aircraft carrier presence requirements in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.

The current deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of operations.

MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO denies international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Truman is the flagship for HST CSG. It can travel in excess of 30 knots, and has a ship’s company of approximately 3,000. With the embarked air wing and staffs, the number rises to about 5,000.

Laplante is a 2009 graduate of Lisbon High School of Lisbon and joined the Navy in February.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Army National Guard Pfc. Dylan M. Mulherin has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

Mulherin is the son of Amy and Todd Mulherin of Oak Hill Road, Litchfield. He is the grandson of Kay Gustin of Ridge Road, Wales.

He is a 2012 graduate of Oak Hill High School, Wales.