Newport's General Sessions Judge, John A. Bell, has been deployed to Korea to serve as the Staff Judge Advocate of the 8th (Field) Army during March 4-19, 2010.

The operation is known as "Key Resolve" and is intended to assist the Republic of Korea (ROC) in achieving military responsibility for self-protection.  The historic "Change of Command" is to occur in April 2012.  Judge Bell and his staff's assignment is to provide judicial support for the commanding Lieutenant General and the staff of Major Generals.

Bell previously served in Iraq as the head of judicial operations of the northern sector for the 101st Airborne Division.  In Iraq, Judge Bell, designed and established dozens of courthouses.  He also interviewed and hired the judges and attorneys that staffed those court systems.

Many of those court officials have been killed while attempting to provide a fair judicial framework for their people.

Bell was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism.  Judge Bell is a Sunday School teacher at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church where he and his wife, Vida, and children Luke and Meredith attend.