Check Six: The First Kūkā‘ilimoku – 66 years ago
The first issue of the Kuka’ilimoku appeared as “Kaleo O Kukailimoku” in February 1954. It was the newsletter of the 199th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, one of four Hawaii Air National Guard units at the time.
The lead story is about 13 F-86E Sabre aircraft arriving on the aircraft carrier Cape Esperance. This would be the start of the conversion from the F-47N Thunderbolts which the squadron had flown from 1947.
There are recognizable names in this issue – mature retirees will recognize even more names:
M/SGT James Lota, who were later commissioned and retired as a lieutenant colonel.
S/SGT George Oshiro who retired as a chief master sergeant.
A/2C Howard Okita who retired as a chief master sergeant.
A/B Marlin Little, future F-86 and F-102 pilot
The basketball article mentions Samuel Pacarro and George “GK” Meyer.
February 1954 issue of the Kuka’ilimoku
It was a long time ago…. For unknown reasons, another issue of the newsletter did not appear until September 1957.
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