Philippine Air Force Brig. Gen. Antonio Ramon Lim, commander, 5th Fighter Wing, PAF and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Oka, commander, 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard discuss the capabilities of the KC-135 Stratotanker, Sep. 22, 2017, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI. The exchange was part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program which builds relationships through military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz)
Hawaii Air National Guard air defense experts recently completed a Subject Matter Expert Exchange [SMEE] with counterparts from the Philippine Air Force [PAF], marking the fifth straight year the HIANG has partnered with the PAF to exchange ideas on air defense as the Southeast Asian country goes through a military modernization effort.
The exchanges took place during the months of August and September and began with HIANG airmen traveling to several locations in the Philippines to discuss various air security concepts with the PAF.
Seventy one years ago, on August 3, 1946, an Executive Order of Governor Ingram M. Stainback established the Hawai‘i Air National Guard. Four Army Air Force units were accepted:
– 199th Fighter Squadron
– 199th Utility Flight
– Detachment “C” 199th Air Service Group
– 199th Weather Station
The first 199 FS commander was Lieutenant Colonel Walter H. Dillingham. The unit’s first station was the Honolulu Armory in downtown Honolulu. Built in the 1800s, the armory was razed to make way for the new State Capitol that opened in the 1960s.
By November 4, 1946, while operating out of Bellows Air Field, Waimānalo, the 199th Fighter Squadron had recruited sufficient personnel to be recognized Federally and was approved by an Army Air Force inspection team from Hickam Field. This Federal recognition is the official start of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard.
Mahalo to all who served in the Hawai‘i Air National Guard over the past 71 years.
The 199th Fighter Squadron lineage is from the 464th Fighter Squadron. The 464 FS was established on October 5, 1944, and activated seven days later on October 12 at Peterson Field, Colorado.
Trained under XXII Bomber Command as a Very Long Range P-47N Thunderbolt bomber escort squadron, programmed for B-29 Superfortress escort duty from Okinawa. For four months, they received combat training for long-range escort, strafing, and dive-bombing. Training delayed due to P-47N aircraft non-availability, finally equipped in the late spring of 1945 with the long-distance fighters.
Deployed to Okinawa in June 1945 as part of the 507th Fighter Group and prepared for the invasion of Japan along with the 413th and 414th Fighter Groups, all equipped with P-47N. On July 1, 1945, it began flying airstrikes from Ie Shima, targeting enemy ships, railroad bridges, airfields, factories, and barracks in Japan, Korea, and China.
Last “Ace in a Day” of World War II was 1st Lt Oscar Perdomo of the 464th.
Remained in Okinawa until inactivated in May 27, 1946, with the aircraft eventually transferred to the redesignated 199th Figher Squadron in Hawaii.
Two Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, and associated personnel returned to Hawaii today following a deployment to the Middle East, where they had supported Operation Inherent Resolve. A third tanker and additional personnel are scheduled to return later this week. The KC-135 tankers and flight crews deployed six months ago to refuel U.S. and other coalition aircraft that are striking ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. Deployment durations for individual Airmen ranged from more than two months to six months.
Aerial refueling is essential to U.S. air operations around the world. The refueling allows fighter jets and other aircraft to remain over the battlefield longer, which allows greater support to U.S. and coalition forces fighting on the ground. The HIANG is not releasing individual names of 203rd ARS personnel due to possible threats from ISIS and/or ISIS sympathizers.
The 203rd Air Refueling Squadron is one of three flying units within the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing, the largest and most complex wing in the entire Air National Guard. The Guard is tasked with being ready for war or any other operational contingency overseas and well as disaster response here at home.
Video of the return at Hickam Field shot by TSgt Andrew Jackson
From the Los Angeles Times website
More than 40 million fire extinguishers, some on the market for more than four decades, are being recalled because they may not work in an emergency.
One death has been linked to problems with the extinguishers made by Kidde, according to a notice Thursday from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
More information from the Kidde website – Kidde manufactured extingushers under other names.
On November 1, 2017, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David J. Shulkin announced that he is considering possible new presumptive conditions that may qualify for disability compensation related to Agent Orange exposure.
“After thoroughly reviewing the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)’s latest report regarding Veterans and Agent Orange, and associated data and recommendations from the NAM Task Force, I have made a decision to further explore new presumptive conditions for service connection that may ultimately qualify for disability compensation, “Secretary Shulkin said. “I appreciate NAM’s work and the commitment and expertise of VA’s NAM Task Force, and look forward to working with the Administration on the next steps in the process.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs will now begin work with the Administration to concurrently conduct a legal and regulatory review of these potential presumptive conditions for awarding disability compensation to eligible veterans.
C-130 modified (special duties – rescue – Iran 1980) to land and take off in a confined area. pic.twitter.com/1nIeYJWlYQ
— Ron Eisele (@ron_eisele) August 24, 2017
From the Wikipedia website
Operation Credible Sport was a joint project of the U.S. military in the second half of 1980 to prepare for a second rescue attempt of the hostages held in Iran. The concept included using a Lockheed C-130 Hercules airlifter modified with the addition of rocket engines to make it a very short take off and landing (STOL) aircraft, able to land on the field within a soccer stadium in Tehran. Operation Credible Sport was terminated when on 2 November, the Iranian parliament accepted an Algerian plan for release of the hostages, followed two days later by Ronald Reagan‘s election as the U.S. President.
The concept of a large military transport STOL aircraft was carried forward in 1981–82, with the follow-up Credible Sport II project. The project used one of the original Operation Credible Sport aircraft as the YMC-130 prototype for the MC-130H Combat Talon II.
Webmaster comments: While retirees have full exchange benefits, this new program extends access to the exchange websites for almost everyone who served. Consider forward this article to your friends who did not complete their 20 years. Anyone who served deserves every benefit they can qualify for as they grow older.
From the Military Times website
The military exchanges have been ramping up their stock and shoring up their websites’ capability as they prepare to launch the Veterans Online Shopping Benefit on November 11, potentially opening up their online, tax-free stores to millions of new customers.
“We’re trying to cram thousands of products online as quickly as possible,” said Capt. Bruce Brown, head of Coast Guard Community Services Command, which includes the Coast Guard Exchange System. Brown made the remarks Oct. 24 during the annual convention of the American Logistics Association.
More than 235,000 veterans had been verified to begin shopping at the online military exchange websites as of October 30, but it’s estimated that 18 million new shoppers are eligible for the benefit, which was approved by the Defense Department in January. It’s available to all honorably discharged veterans of U.S. armed forces; veterans should visit www.vetverify.org before trying to shop, to verify their eligibility.
Mitsuo Hasegawa, 88, of Hilo, Hawaii, died Oct. 17, 2017 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born April 20, 1929, in Hilo, he was a retired Command Sergeant Major of the Hawaii Army National Guard, Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, former Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America Troop 31 and member of the Big Island National Guard Retirees Association, Iwalani Street Kumiai and the Orchid Isle Dance Club. He was also involved in numerous community service projects and was the recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.
He is survived by wife, Ethel Yukie Hasegawa of Hilo, Hawaii; sons, Reginald Hasegawa of Hilo, Hawaii, Dr. Earl (Cheryl) Hasegawa of Wailuku, Maui; daughter, Leila (Glenn) Furutani of Honolulu, Oahu; four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo; funeral service at 5 p.m.; cremation to follow. Private urn committal service at a later date at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Casual attire. No flowers.
click on photograph to enlarge
This undated photograph shows 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron members controlling aircraft. It shows the interior of Building 204 at Wheeler AFB. This was the squadron’s facility before moving to the current Hawaii Regional Operations Control Center (HIROCC) on June 29, 1984.
There was a note on the back of the photograph
Control Dais (Middle Dias)
From left to right
a. Recovery Director
b. Weapons Director
c. Weapons Director
d. Weapons Director
Can anyone help with the identification of those in the photograph?
From the U.S. News & World Report website
Social Security beneficiaries will get 2 percent bigger payments in 2018. The Social Security program will also be tweaked in several important ways that affect how much you pay in and will receive in retirement.
Here’s a look at the Social Security changes you can expect to see in 2018.
From the Consumer Reports website
Aging in place may be the last thing on your mind when you’re renovating a home, especially if you’re under 50. But not considering design upgrades now could be a costly mistake in years to come.
We’re not talking about wheelchair ramps or shower grab bars, but “universal design” elements—eye-pleasing choices that make your house more livable for anyone at any age.
Meliton (Mel) Ayay Adversalo, 93, of Honolulu passed away peacefully on October 5, 2017 after a brief illness. Mel was born in Kahuku, Oahu on July 15, 1924 and was a retired electronics technician with the Hawaii Air National Guard & Federal Aviation Administration and an Occupational Health Inspector with the State of Hawaii, Department of Labor.
He is survived by daughters Kathleen Ramento (Sal (deceased)) and Suzanne (Chris) Lott, son John (Maria) Adversalo, grand- children – Jeremy Adversalo (Veronica), Shane Adversalo, Anthony (Josselyn) Lott, Daniel Lott, and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Lott.
Celebration of life: Saturday, November 4. Aloha Attire. 9:30 a.m. visitation, 10:30 a.m. service and reception – Borthwick Mortuary, Mauka Chapel. 2:00 p.m. – Burial at Hawaiian Memorial Park.
click on the photograph. to enlarge
The photograph above shows Lewis Kono, James Suzuki, and Harold DeMello in front of a F-4C Phantom. It was probably taken in the early 1980s. All three were long time technicians who served in several positions in the 154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
Louie was featured in a Retiree Update earlier this year. Jimmy passed away in February of this year. Harold is enjoying his retirement, he was a Retiree Update in 2015.
