Hawaii Army National Guard photo by SSG Christopher Martens
Hawaii Governor David Ige places the State Medal of Valor around the neck of Staff Sergeant Gregory A.Y. Lum Ho, Jr. at a ceremony held on February 9, 2019, at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.
On August 23, 2018, as part of the Hawaii National Guard’s response to Tropical Storm Lane, Staff Sgt. Lum Ho disregarded a substantial risk to his own safety by maneuvering his Humvee through dangerous hip-high rushing water to reach a family that had been cut off by the flash flood waters brought on by Tropical Storm Lane. While risking his own life, Staff Sgt. Lum Ho’s actions saved the lives of six civilians and one family pet.
In 2001, the Launa’Ole – Above All Others awards were born.
For the past 17 years, the Hawaii Air National Guard has held the Launa’Ole awards and our reputation continues to grow world-wide. Our nominees and award recipients and every one of our HIANG airmen, are part of a seven decade-long legacy. From humble beginnings in 1946 to becoming an organization without rival.
Congratulations the winners of the 2018 Launa’ole Awards!
Airman of the year:
Fulltime – SrA Reid Suzuki, 154th Comptroller Flight
Traditional – A1C Noel Tadeo, 169th Air Defense Squadron
NCO of the year:
Fulltime – TSgt Michael Guzman, 201st Combat Operations Squadron
Traditional – SSgt Tara Macion, 201st Intelligence Squadron
Senior NCO of the year:
Fulltime – SMSgt Alfred Brunn, 154th Communications Squadron
Traditional – MSgt Jake Ross, 154th Communications Squadron
First Sergeant of the year:
MSgt John Kim, 201st Air Operations Group
Company grade officer of year:
Fulltime – 1st Lt Sy Cullen, 169th Air Defense Squadron
Traditional – Capt Joseph Kina, 204th Airlift Squadron
Field grade officer of year:
Fulltime – Maj Glenn Hayase, 201st Air Operations Group
Traditional – Maj Blythjeanne “BeeJ” Itoman, 204th Airlift Squadron
Winning team award:
297th Air Traffic Control Squadron
Service Team Award:
154th Maintenance Operations Flight
Outstanding Unit award:
154th Communications Squadron
Kaleo Nui Award:
154th Medical Group
Prior to the transition to the Launa’ole awards, the Hawaii Air National Guard held an annual Awards Banquet to honor it’s outstanding airmen and units. The annual awards banquet began in the 1970s.
From the Everyday Health website
click to enlarge chart
For most young people, the chance of having a stroke seems like an impossibility — but there is no such thing as being too young for stroke. Your stroke risk increases with age, but stroke in young people, including infants, children, adolescents, and young adults, does happen. In general, however, most experts consider a young stroke age to be under 45.
Even though the overall rate of stroke is decreasing, it is increasing for young and middle-aged people.
Retiree News received an email from Edward Richardson, the retired Adjutant General last night.
The general reported the George Joy, a longtime member of the 199th Fighter Squadron, passed away on February 5. The general commented that, “he was an integral part of the Squadron.” George served as the 154th Wing’s Safety Officer for several years.
Retiree News extends heartfelt sympathy to George’s family and friends.
Retiree News will post information about services when it becomes known.
Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier
Members of the 164th Logistics Readiness Squadron, part of the 164th Airlift Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard, secure U.S. Army vehicles onto a Hawaii Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III January 21, 2019, at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center near Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The 204th Airlift Squadron conducted the night time aerial refueling mission during exercise Southern Strike. The annual training is a is a total force, multi-service exercise hosted by the Mississippi Air National Guard’s Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, and Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center near Hattiesburg, Mississippi. from January 15 through 30. The exercise emphasizes air-to-air, air-to-ground and special operations forces training opportunities.
An e
arlier Retiree News post, How to Choose a Medical Alert System, shared information about medical alerts systems.
Recently, we received a email from Kellie Cramer from Reviews.com referring us to their article about medical alert systems. Her letter said in part,
While doing a deep-dive into the medical alert industry, our experts realized that there are a lot of questions which come before the choosing a provider like “does my insurance cover it?” and “what if I accidentally hit the button?” You can check it out here: https://www.reviews.com/medical-alert-guide/
Advertisement Disclosure Reviews.com has an advertising relationship with some of the offers included on this page. However, the rankings and listings of our reviews, tools and all other content are based on objective analysis.
For more information, please check out our full Advertiser Disclosure. Reviews.com strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. The information in our reviews could be different from what you find when visiting a financial institution, service provider or a specific product’s website. All products are presented without warranty.
Members of the United States Armed Forces are eligible for a number of special tax benefits. Additionally, Armed Forces reservists, regardless of duty status, can take advantage of tax-related benefits, such as considerations for travel and business expenses, military differential pay and tax deferral status.
Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier
A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 186th Air Refueling Wing , Mississippi Air National Guard, prepares to deliver fuel to a Hawaii Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III January 17, 2019, near Gulfport, Mississippi.
The 204th Airlift Squadron conducted the night time aerial refueling mission during exercise Southern Strike. The annual training is a is a total force, multi-service exercise hosted by the Mississippi Air National Guard’s Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, and Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center near Hattiesburg, Mississippi. from January 15 through 30. The exercise emphasizes air-to-air, air-to-ground and special operations forces training opportunities.
This is a unique photograph because most air-to-air refueling shots are taken from the tanker.
From the Samantha Brown website
One of the most challenging aspects of travel can be the lack of sleep. Whether it’s changing time zones, taking the red eye, or a noisy hotel room, sleepiness is the last thing you need when you’re out of your element.
Most of us believe there will always be enough time to plan for long-term care. Then, life happens, and all of our hopeful expectations are dashed, including for our loved ones. When all is well, it’s difficult to convince mom, dad, a partner or other loved one to plan for the future. The alternative is much worse, because it means facing decisions during a crisis.
Off the Hawaii Adjutant General’s Facebook page
U.S. Army photograph by Capt. Darren Taylor
This is just Multinational Battle Group-East (MNBG–E) Commander Colonel Roy Macaraeg “shaka-ing” with U.S. Army Europe Commander, Lt. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli. LTG Cavoli visited MNBG-East Solders on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, February 1, 2019.
His visit included a discussion with and Soldiers representing all countries assigned to the battlegroup, and presented coins to high-performing Soldiers. The visit ended with a tour of the Camp Bondsteel facilities.
From the National Guard website
The South Carolina Military Department will change leadership on February 16, 2019, and close the chapter for the last popularly elected adjutant general in the nation, South Carolina’s Adjutant General, U.S. Army Maj. Gen.
With the passing of legislation in 2014 supported by Livingston, the South Carolina governor now appoints this cabinet position and the South Carolina Senate confirms the nominee. Livingston has served as the adjutant general since 2011 and will be retiring after more than 40 years of military service.
From the Everyday Health website
They forced a New Jersey movie theater to close, shut down San Diego’s largest firehouse, crawled into the stacks at a Fort Myers, Fla., library, and have been reported by guests at hotels across the country.
After six decades of living nearly bedbug-free, the United States is facing a national infestation. Bedbug outbreaks have been reported in every state and in every type of neighborhood.
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
Hawaii Air National Guard photograph
Aloha from your newest HIANG First Sergeants! Master Sgt. Anu Lopez (154th Logistics Readiness Squadron), Master Sgt. Jeremy Weaver (154th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 154th Maintenance Operations Flight, HQ 154th Maintenance Group), and Master Sgt. (154th Medical Group) recently completed the First Sergeant Academy at Gunter-Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama.
Their class was only the second class of First Sergeants to attend the revamped new curriculum four week in-residence course and they’re eager and equipped to take on their new roles as USAF First Sergeants for the HIANG.
Hawaii Air National Guard photograph
They also had the opportunity to meet the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, Chief Kaleth O. Wright.
Congratulations and thank you for representing and taking care of our enlisted airmen!
