Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
Congratulations to Colonel Robert Gellner, who assumed command of the 154th Maintenance Group during this past drill weekend. Gellner’s command oversees the success of more than 900 maintenance and munitions Airmen, who support all Hawai‘i Air National Guard -operated aircraft.
Attached is today’s COVID-19 update issued by the Joint Information Center.
COVID-19 Update March 18, 2020
In his press conference late this afternoon, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today city parks and facilities will be closed through April 30, and ordered all restaurants, bars and nightclubs to close indoor dining services starting Friday.
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
High-school students from around the island received a flight line tour this week as part of the Ka Ho‘okele “The Navigator” Explorers Program. Fighter, tanker and airlift pilots and aircrew members hosted static displays of JBPH-H’s heavy aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker and the C-17 Globemaster III.
The annual mentorship program provides hands-on learning about aspects of the aviation industry. Each week, students get the opportunity to learn about different career paths they can pursue, such as aircraft maintenance, avionics, sheet-metal, air-traffic control, piloting and virtually every aspect of the commercial airline industry. The course is crafted to provide students with career opportunities, leadership experience, life skills, character education and a means to give back to their community.
The result is a program of real-world aviation-centric career experiences that help youth grow, develop and make a decision on whether they are a fit for a career in aviation. The explorers program is hosted by a locally-based airline.
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you offer some tips to help seniors guard against census scams? With the 2020 census gearing up, I’ve read that there are a lot of potential scammers out there looking to take advantage of older people and I want to protect myself.
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you offer some tips to help seniors guard against census scams? With the 2020 census gearing up, I’ve read that there are a lot of potential scammers out there looking to take advantage of older people and I want to protect myself.
DEAR JUDY: Unfortunately, scams have become a persistent problem when the U.S. Census Bureau does its once-a-decade count of the U.S. population.
From the Military Times website
As states grapple with the growing outbreak of COVID-19, some governors have issued emergency declarations laying the groundwork to implement state-level National Guard responses.
The governors of Washington, California, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have all declared individual emergencies.
As of Wednesday afternoon, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo remains the only state executive to activate the National Guard following an earlier disaster emergency declaration thus far.
Hawaii’s Emergency Proclamation for COVID-19 – March 5, 2020
Attached is today’s COVID-19 update issued by the Joint Information Center.
Off the Lava Brigade Facebook page
Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducts Military Decision Making Process training at its headquarters in Kapolei, Hawaii, from March 6-9, 2020.
The MDMP helps leaders apply thoroughness, clarity, sound judgment, logic, and professional knowledge to understand situations, develop options to solve problems, and reach decisions. The MDMP is a process that helps commanders, staffs, and others think critically and creatively while planning.
From the Car and Driver website
In a global pandemic like the current coronavirus situation, our cars are a bit like microbial prisons. All the worst stuff from everywhere in the outside world gets dragged in and stays. All the good stuff follows us in, too, but that subtle whiff of pine on Uncle Fred’s jacket is far less consequential than COVID-19.
Luckily, keeping your car clean isn’t all that complicated. The most effective weapon against COVID-19 is soap (for seats and dashboards, of course). It doesn’t need to be antibacterial. Pretty much any household soap will do. Even that frou-frou decorative bar with the ribbon around it probably has the right stuff in it. Soap interacts with viruses in much the same way it does oils: it breaks them down.
COVID-19 Related Cancellations. Among the events cancelled is the National Vietnam Veteran Day Ceremony on March 29, 2020. The Vietnam Veterans of America Oahu Post 858 hosts this annual event at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Special thanks to Rona Adams, president of Post 858 and all the volunteers who put their time toward this event.
Although cancelled, take a personal moment on March 29 to honor all the Vietnam Veterans for their service in America’s unpopular war.
Another cancellation is the Kauai Air Guard Gathering scheduled for May 17. Stan Dela Cruz said the cancellation is to be on the safe side as this virus tends to affect retiree age group. He went on to say he will get the word out about the rescheduled event.
Attached is today’s COVID-19 update issued by the Joint Information Center.
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
When we reflect on the diverse backgrounds of the Airmen in our Ohana, there’s few things that make us feel prouder than our female role models, such as Maj. Carrie Hironaka, a KC-135 pilot from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 203rd Air Refueling Squadron.
Not only does she represent the urgent need for enthusiastic and fully-capable female pilots in the Air Force, but she also found herself inspiring a young girl when working as a locally-based commercial pilot.
My mom is 91-years-old, and she has lost her military dependent ID card. My dad was a Navy military retiree, but he died two months ago. I have Dad’s old ID, but now need to replace Mom’s ID. What do I need to do?
ID card rules and navigating the system can seem really tricky. Military identification cards are really easy to lose and very difficult to replace. But since they are required for everything from getting on base, to checking out at the commissary, to accessing medical benefits through TRICARE, having one on hand is important.
Fortunately, replacing a lost military retiree ID card for a dependent is not impossible.
According to Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) support office, you can replace your mom’s ID card even after your retiree father’s death. Here is how:
Make an appointment with a local ID card office. You can use this locator to help you find your nearest Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) ID card office. Remember: If the office is on a military base and you are not a military ID card holder, you may need to get a visitor pass for both you and your mom.
Call the DEERS support line to make sure your father’s death is updated in the system. Since your father passed, your mom will now receive a survivor ID card that does not expire. While his death should be updated in their system, calling to make sure is a good idea. You can reach them at: 1-800-538-9552.
Get the new ID. Bring your mom and two forms of ID (one of which must be government issued such as a driver’s license or a passport) to the appointment. You can also bring a copy of your father’s death certificate just in case.
Is your mom unable to make the trip? Make a phone call to your nearest RAPIDS office. Since options for replacing the ID without your mother present may differ location to location, they will be best able to tell you what to do.
Retiree News 