Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamison R. McAlister has deployed to a forward operating base in Afghanistan to support the missions of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces have been mobilized, activated and deployed along with active duty members.

Mission objectives encompass combating the international terrorist network or regime forces outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South and Southwest Asia, Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, islands in the Pacific and other countries.

McAlister, an infantry combat adviser with 19 years of military service, is normally assigned to Fort Riley, Junction City, Kan.

He is the son of Philip C. McAlister Sr. of Buckfield. His wife, Vonnie, is the daughter of Ray and Velma Croley of Elkton, Ky. The sergeant first class graduated in 1989 from Buckfield High School.