In years pass, the Governor of the State of Hawaii was afforded an orientation flight in a Hawaii Air National Guard aircraft. This undated photographs shows Governor John Waihee and then-Brig Gen Michael “Boss” Tice before his F-15 Eagle flight.
This tradition ended with the departure of the F-15 Eagles in 2010. The 199th Fighter Squadron currently fly F-22 Raptors which do not have a two seat version.
John David Waihee III served as the fourth governor of Hawaii from 1986 to 1994. He was the first American of Native Hawaiian descent to be elected to the office from any state of the United States. After his tenure in the governor’s office, Waihee became a nationally prominent attorney and lobbyist.
Brig Gen Michael Tice served as the 154th Wing Commander from 1987 through September 2000. He was later promoted to major general and assigned as the Reserve Component (RC) Assistant to HQ US Commander in Chief, Pacific Command (HQ USCINCPAC), at Camp H.M. Smith.
From the Wired Magazine website
So you’re gone through your holiday gifts, and there are some you’d like to return. They don’t fit. They don’t suit your taste. You just read a book extolling the virtues of minimalism and want to give that lifestyle a swing.
Whatever your logic, you’re not alone. In 2017, the National Retail Foundation estimated that around $351 billion worth of merchandise was returned, accounting for about 10 percent of total sales. Around the holiday season, an estimated two-thirds of consumers make a return.
Pledge of Allegiance Day is observed annually on December 28.
Congress formally recognized the Pledge of Allegiance on December 28, 1945. Thought to have been written by Francis Bellamy, the Pledge of Allegiance was published anonymously by a magazine for young people, The Youth’s Companion, and was written in celebration of the 400th anniversary, in 1892, of the discovery of America.
The text of the pledge, as originally written and modified a bit by the National Flag Conference in 1923 and 1924, was inserted into this legislation, but without designating it as the official pledge. In its original form, it read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The small changes made resulted in this version:
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The pūpūkahi is the State of Hawaii Department of Defense monthly newsletter. Printed versions of the pūpūkahi have been the “command information” newsletter for decades. Read the October-December 2001 pūpūkahi
This was the first issue after the 9/11 attack and it includes articles about the Guard participation in Homeland Security support. There are many familiar soldiers and airmen in the photographs and mentions in articles.
US Air Force photograph
“Unsafe” supervision, alcohol consumption and the pressure to train pilots quickly all contributed to alleged officer misconduct within the 47th Flying Training Wing that ended with three commanders at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, being fired earlier this year, according to an investigation report.
The Air Force‘s Air Education and Training Command on Friday released a heavily redacted 27-page command-directed investigation into the wing’s leadership culture. The report indicated that there were leadership gaps in a high-pressure, high-tempo training environment, leading to unsafe practices that included alcohol consumption.
From the Time Magazine website
It’s no secret that a healthy diet and plenty of exercise are key to good health, as study after study continues to show. But the latest analysis puts some hard numbers on just how big a benefit they can have on the brain, by possibly reversing some of the effects of aging.
In a study published in the journal Neurology, researchers led by James Blumenthal, professor in psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, found that even among a group of older people who already show signs of thinking problems, exercising regularly over six months and eating more healthfully can improve their performance on cognitive tests.
Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard, their families and Active-Duty friends came together this morning to hold a Holiday Luncheon for veterans in need. This annual event is part of the United States Veterans Initiative. pic.twitter.com/Xf6vCJ69rW
— Hawaii Air National Guard (@HiAirGuard) December 16, 2018
154th Security Forces Squadron airmen on deployment with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron spread the ‘Aloha Spirit’ on the other side of the world with a CENTCOM Shaka! @grandslamwing @CENTCOM pic.twitter.com/KtGwqRiOeu
— Hawaii Air National Guard (@HiAirGuard) December 25, 2018
From the Task and Purpose website
Secretary of Defense James Mattis abruptly resigned following President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, but that didn’t stop the Department of Defense from releasing his holiday message to U.S. service members.
The Pentagon’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) on December 21 published Mattis’ brief holiday video message to the Department of Defense personnel — and it contains some kernels of advice for dealing with life after his resignation.
Learn more about Patrick Shanahan, the President’s nominee to replace James Mattis
Retiree News sadly announces the passing of Richard Yasunaga, a retired member of the Headquarters, 201st Combat Communications Group. He passed on December 9 in Kuakini Hospital.
Retiree News will post information about services when it becomes known.
Na Mele o Na Keiki (Music for the Children) is an annual holiday concert presented free of charge by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC). This annual concert features the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band performing holiday favorites with a variety of guest artists.
This video is from the inaugural concert in 2010. It features Henry Kapono and the MARFORPAC Band’s combo performing “Merry Christmas to You”. The saxophone player is very good in his solo and backup.
Mele Kalikimaka
A Merry Christmas to you and your families.
Retiree News received several comments about our earlier post on Richie Kunichika. We can hardly believe it has been 10 years since his passing.
We think that the comments provided by Bruce “Ace” Ellinwood clearly shows the respect he and the members of the 199th Fighter Squadron had for Kuni. Thanks to Ace for allowing Retiree News to post his comments.
Thanks for the article on Ritchie Kunichika. He is missed by many. You left out, however, that he retired out of the 154th as an F-15 pilot.
By the way, I had the good fortune and pleasure of working for COL Paul Kunichika during my first two active duty tours, in Thailand and Okinawa; and later came to the 154th, where I was lucky enough to work for my second COL Kuni. Both were excellent pilots and leaders, with a warm, friendly manner and a good sense of humor. They were great role models who made those of us who worked under them feel comfortable and appreciated and inspired us to strive to meet the high standards they set by example.
Aloha – Bruce “Ace” Ellinwood
Thanks to Ace and the others who provided comments and feedback. Retiree News has updated the original post to include Kuni’s flying F-15s.
