Retiree News was sad to learn of the passing of Hawai‘i Air National Guard retiree Paul Jacob Kealoha passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. He was 86 years old.
Paul served in the fighter flightline for many years before his retirement. A skilled mechanic and quiet leader who always had a special smile. He was a proud member of the Royal Guard.
Retiree News extends heartfelt sympathy to Paul’s family and friends.
Retiree News will post more information about services when it becomes available.
The January/February 2021 issue of the National Guard magazine features the following articles:
Force of Nature. America may have just completed its toughest year in decades while the National Guard, in many respects, had one of its best. The Guard’s profile has never been higher. Some are calling 2020 the Year of the Guard. That can only help us going forward. I just wish it had come under different circumstances.
Our country suffered a great deal last year, but the pain would have been far worse if not for the men and women of the Guard. Examples abound. Continue reading
Automation’s Edge. Technology will soon take a load off of ground troops in the field and enable them to see threats over hills and into buildings.
Infantry squads will still carry 100 pounds of gear, ammo, water and batteries each, but much of it will no longer be on their backs. Instead, it will follow in an eight-wheeled robotic pack mule that can carry 1,000 pounds for 60 miles or 72 hours on a single charge. Continue reading
The National Guard Association of the United States
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW | Washington, DC 20001 | www.ngaus.org
P: 202.789.0031 | F: 202.682.9358 | newsletter@ngaus.org
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
Before ‘don’t forget your PPE’ was a household phrase, it used to indicate that time of the year when we ‘MOPP-up,’ and practice our Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive drills.
Now, members of the 154th Force Support Squadron (154 FSS) are doing all that and more this week in a Home Station Readiness Training Exercise.
This wartime-readiness exercise is all about preparing Airmen for a rapid deployment, ensuring that members are equipped to aid warfighters and provide relief to those who are affected by natural disasters.
The training entails familiarization with command and control, resource management, search and recovery ops, setting up of mobile kitchenet structures along with other shelter systems, and much more.
While these Airmen seem to always ‘save the day’ by offering their services throughout each drill weekend, we can only imagine the impact they make when adversity strikes – be it on the home front or downrange.
No wonder why they say, ‘Force Support or Mission Abort!’
For the more mature retirees, 154th Mission Support Flight and the 154th Services Flight were reorganized into the 154th Force Support Squadron several years ago,
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website
Black History Month is a chance to celebrate and honor Black Americans who trailblazed paths for future generations. Among those trailblazers are the Tuskegee Airmen.
The 99th Pursuit Squadron activated March 23, 1941, in Tuskegee, Alabama. The Tuskegee Experiment was the first of its kind, producing an all Black unit to fight during World War II. Tuskegee graduated its first five U.S. Army Air Forces fighter pilots March 7, 1942, and more soon followed.
In late 2020, the Air Force produced a three episode series called “Red Tail Angels” to tell their story.
What you eat and drink can have a lasting impact on your vision. Here are 10 foods to avoid to boost your eye health.
Lawrence Neal Smith, 69, passed away in Honolulu on November 7, 2020. Born to Ralph and Dorothy Smith in South Carolina on November 10, 1951, Larry, or “Smitty” to his friends, was a gentle and kind soul who will always be remembered for his giving nature.
Larry grew up in Illinois, where he became a lifelong Chicago sports fan. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1971, and served three tours in Vietnam.
While stationed in Thailand, he earned a black belt and became an instructor in Tae Kwon Do. After retiring as a sergeant, Larry moved to be with his family in Honolulu, where he joined the Hawaii Air National Guard. He obtained an AA degree in sheet metal from Honolulu Community College and then went on to work for 15+ years at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as a sheetmetal mechanic in Shop 17. He also worked part-time as a truck driver and later as a dispatcher at the Honolulu Advertiser for 32 years.
Preceded in death by his son, Kapena Smith, and brother, Louie Smith, Larry is survived by sister Luraine Hausherr, nephews Logan and Lucas Hausherr, niece Danielle Mather, stepdaughter Lori Richards, and stepson Lawrence Esperanza, along with many extended family members.
A private service and internment was held at Punchbowl National Cemetery on December 10, 2020.
A virtual celebration of life to include a replay of the service is planned for February 28, 2021. Please contact Lucas at luke.hausherr@gmail.com for details.
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
It’s migration season for the renowned Alaska ‘Aggressors’ from Eielson Air Force Base who have been participating in training exercises with partners all over the Pacific.
After completing a series of training events in Guam, these Fighting Falcons are now here at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, where they’ll apply their tactics alongside our fifth-generation, F-22 Raptors. It will part of the latest iteration of training exercise Pacific Raptor 21-1. The exercise is scheduled for the next two weeks.
While on island, they’ll be receiving air refueling support from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron and ground fuel from the 154th Logistics Readiness Squadron and our U.S. Navy partners from NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor.
We’re looking forward to taking to the skies and enhancing our air-to-air capabilities together and making the most out of these exciting sorties!
You’ve worked hard your entire life, and now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You have saved, you have budgeted, and you have prepared for this moment for almost all of your working years. But, despite all of these efforts, you are still afraid. You are afraid to spend your hard-earned savings. You are afraid that you are going to live so long that you run out of money.
Irrational? Actually, it’s very common and in many cases, the worry might be warranted. However, for many — particularly those who have planned properly — the fear is likely unfounded. This overwhelming fear can actually lead to something that does not get much attention: underspending in retirement.
Underspending in retirement is more common than you would think, and it can lead to a less-than-satisfying retirement lifestyle, defeating the purpose of all of that planning.
The Kūkā‘ilimoku is the official e-newsletter of the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard. The first issue came in September 1957 and continues as an e- newsletter today.
Today we feature the February 1969 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:
* SSgt George Nomura named in the NGA Outstanding Airman competition
* Maj Melvin Yen receives the 1968 Ricks Trophy
* Awards: lost of familiar names
From the Medical News Today website
The rotator cuff is the part of the body that helps keep the top of the arm bone in the shoulder socket.
Sometimes it can tear, resulting in pain and weakness. A rotator cuff tear can also make it difficult to carry out everyday activities.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), almost 2 million people in the United States visit a healthcare provider with issues related to their rotator cuff every year.
Nonsurgical treatment is often the preferred initial method of treating a torn rotator cuff.
However, sometimes nonsurgical treatment is not feasible or does not work. In these cases, surgery may be required.
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
The Hawai‘i Air National Guard hosted their annual Launa‘ole awards ceremony this weekend. Congratulations to all the winners of these Launa‘ole awards
Fulltime Award Winners:
Airman of the Year — Senior Airman Aaron Moriyama, 154th Operations Support Squadron
Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year — Tech. Sgt. Shane Williams, 203rd Air Refueling Squadron
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year — Master Sgt. Derek Wheeler, 203rd Air Refueling Squadron
Company Grade Officer of the Year – Capt. Shaun Kawakami, 154th Force Support Squadron
Outstanding Field Grade Officer of the Year – Maj. Brent Howard, 201st Combat Operations Squadron
Traditional Award Winners:
Airman of the Year – Senior Airman Danielle Jordan DeMello, 154th Medical Group, Detachment 1
Non Commissioned Officer of the Year – Tech. Sgt. Michael Higuchi, 298th Support Squadron
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year — Master Sgt. Harlasun Kang, 204th Airlift Squadron
Company Grade Officer of the Year – Capt. Bruce S. Yamamoto, 154th Medical Group, Detachment 1
Outstanding Field Grade Officer of the Year – Maj. Michael Namocot II, 204th Airlift Squadron
First Sergeant of the Year — Master Sergeant Kehaulani Lobetos, 154th Medical Group
Team Award Winners:
Winning Team Award — Hawaiian Raptor Scheduling Team, 199th Fighter Squadron
Service Team of the Year — the Hawaii Air National Guard- Honor Guard Team
2020 Outstanding Unit of the Year Award – 204th Airlift Squadron
Launa Ole Kleo Nui Award – 298th Air Defense Group
The photo galley of the award winners.
On the Facebook page, the last photograph in the gallery shows a captain holding an unknown award.
Launa‘ole – a Hawaiian phrase meaning “beyond comparison” or “without peer.” It describes our vision for the Hawai‘i Air National Guard to be a professional force that is second to none, or simply the best.
From the Everyday Health website
February is American Heart Month, dedicated to educating and empowering people to take steps to prioritize their heart health and prevent complications such as heart attack. Each year, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reinforces these messages, but this year it’s more important than ever to put a renewed focus on your heart health. Experts are beginning to recognize how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people with cardiovascular disease and identify steps you may need to take to protect your heart today.
In January, to explore the ways that COVID-19 plays a role in your heart health, Everyday Health surveyed 710 people who are affected by heart disease to learn about their lifestyle and self-care habits — and how COVID-19 has impacted their care.
Here’s what they said, plus other facts about managing your heart health during the pandemic.
The Kūkā‘ilimoku is the official e-newsletter of the 154th Wing, Hawai’i Air National Guard. The first issue came in September 1957 and continues as a monthly newsletter today.
Today we feature the January 1977 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:
* Customs and courtesies
* Chief Master Sergeants will be called “Chiefs”
* Dis-An-Dat:
* New military pay rates
Appendicitis is almost always a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Symptoms to watch
Retiree News 