This undated photograph show then-SMSgt Gordon Y. Makashima. He was a senior NCO in the Communications/Armament Electronics branch of the 154th Consolidated Maintenance Squadron. We believe this photograph was taken at Tyndall AFB, Florida, who the branch was competing in a weapons competition. Gordon was later commissioned to captain and became the Officer-in-Charge of the Communications/Armament Electronics branch.
Unless you requested a tax filing extension, you should be done with your 2021 tax return by now. But after taking a short break from taxes to clear your mind, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your next federal income tax return now. Start with something basic – like the standard deduction.
You have a choice to make each year when filling out your federal income tax return: Do you claim the standard deduction or itemized deductions. You can’t do both, so you want to pick whichever one is higher. But you can’t determine which route is better for you unless you know how much your standard deduction is that year. It’s different from year to year and from person to person.
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 May 1987 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:
* Cope Cage air defense exercise
* 154th Tactical Hospital passes the Health Services Management Inspection (HSMI)
* CAM Sq News & Views
* Promotions: including Mitchell Tanaka, Marconi Cabatbat, Allen Ulep
* Sports News
From the Everyday Health website
Do you like eggs? Do you really like eggs? Then the boiled egg diet might appeal to your – especially if you’re looking to lose weight. The truth is that this fad diet will not lead to long-term changes that improved your health.
Still curious? Read on to learn how this plan works, its pros and cons, and how to follow it safely.
In 2002, the Hawaii Air National Guard began upgrading their F-15 engines to the new Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220(E). The National Guard Bureau selected the 154th Wing to be the first ANG F-15 Eagle unit to upgrade to the new engines.
In this post, we share the slides from a Power Point presentation John Chun used when he briefed other ANG F-15 Eagle units. John served as the project manager for the upgrade.
In an earlier Retiree News post, we shared photographs of some of the Engine Shop installation team.
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Thanks to JC for sharing this historical information about the engine upgrade
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 May 1995 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:
* 199th Fighter Squadron to Tyndall AFB for Combat Archer
* 203rd Air Refueling Squadron returns from NAS Keflavik, Iceland
* Sports News
* “Sweet Sixteen” Anna Marie Fujimoto
* Promotions: including Carl Leota, Ivan Nacnac, Frankie Saligumba
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
A no-cost way to financial preparation for emergencies is to collect & protect important financial paperwork. Download a copy of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “Your Disaster Checklist” to help you keep track of account numbers, valuables, medical info, & more.
From the Medical News Today website
A 12-ounce (oz) can of the most popular cola drink in the United States has 140 calories, while a 20-oz plastic bottle contains 240 calories.
For people who are interested in losing weight but enjoy cola or other high calorie, sugar-sweetened soft drinks, a diet version with close to zero calories may seem an attractive option.
However, a new study led by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles suggests that drinks containing low calorie artificial sweeteners may not be as helpful for weight loss as many assume.
Mervin Ginn Cheong Wee passed away on March 13, 2022. He fought valiantly after a lengthy illness from cancer. He was 84 years old.
Mervin was born in Honolulu on September 9, 1937. He was a St. Louis High School graduate. He graduated from University of Hawai‘i in microbiology and was active in Peng Hui fraternity. He also served in the Hawai‘i Air National Guard for 7 years.
As a career, he worked for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Labor & Industrial Relations in various positions and finally as a Grants Officer. He retired in 1994 after 33 years.
In retirement, he travelled extensively with his wife Carole all over the world, taking several ship cruises. He was actively involved in the Hawai‘i Kai Lions Club, a volunteer community service organization. He was District Governor for the District 50 Hawai‘i Lions from 2006-2007.
He is survived by his wife Carole and three sons. Paul Wee (Laurie) is an artist for “The Simpsons” TV show and lives in Los Angeles. Twin brother Phillip Wee (Christine) is a graphic designer. Bruce Wee (Yoko) is a software engineer with the Honolulu Board of Realtors. He has three grandchildren, Deanna Patacsil, Logan Wee and Kaila Wee. He is also survived by brothers Francis Wee and Clifford Wee and sister Florence Lau.
A Celebration of Mervin’s life will be held on May 14th (Saturday), 2022. Visitation at 9:00am, service at 10:00am, followed by lunch at Nu‘uanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. Aloha attire preferred. Wearing masks is optional. Mervin will be interred privately at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
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 May 2011 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:
* Winning Team of the Year
* HIANG Top Performers for 2010
* Removing Social Security numbers from ID cars
This undated photograph shows 199th Fighter Squadron McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles 4-ship formation. The squadron flew F-15A/Bs from 1987 through 2009. Additionally, they flew the F-15C models from 1991 to 2010 when the squadron converted to Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors.
From the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website
Different people want different things when it comes to their health care. Advance care planning ensures that your loved ones and your health care team know what’s important to you and what your preferences are for treatment now and treatment in the future.
Your health care team can help you decide what type of advance care planning is right for you, including advance directives and goals of care conversations.
From the Medical News Today website
Leading scientists in the field of tea research recently met virtually at the Sixth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health to discuss the current state of knowledge and the gaps in understanding about the benefits of tea. Researchers discussed many topics at the symposium, which included the potential beneficial effects of tea on cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and the prevention of cancer.
The conference was organized by the Tea Council of the USA, the public relations arm of the Tea industry whose primary aim is to encourage greater tea consumption. It accomplishes this by furthering tea science and “establishing tea as a healthy, good for you beverage.”
Based on the Phantom’s paint scheme, this photograph was taken in the late 1970s. This two-ship looks like they are in preflight checks. Pilots and WSOS are in the aircraft. The first person from the right looks like Norman Ault, Jr, the 154th Consolidated Maintenance Squadron commander.
The 154th Fighter Group converted to the McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantoms in 1976. The organizational name became the 154th Tactical Fighter Group. The Phantoms were tactical fighter-bomber used extensively during the Vietnam War. They were also effective interceptors which were used in the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 24/7 alert mission.
An important pivot in the 199 FS capabilities was the ability to conduct air-to-air refueling. This allowed the Group to deploy to Japan, Korea, and the Philippines in their Pacific are of response.
On November 3, 1978, the 154th became 154th Composite Group.
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