In November, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), along with the entire country, celebrates National Family Caregivers Month. This is a time to honor and celebrate caregivers who selflessly provide care to ill, injured, or disabled Veterans. The theme of this year’s National Family Caregivers Month is “Take Care to Give Care.”
Taken from a written history of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard by Chris Casey, who served in the 154th Wing’s Public Affairs Office in the 1980’s.
World War II end on August 14, 1945 and the troops started coming home to Hawai‘i.
The Territory of Hawai‘i was allocated the World War II 463d Fighter Squadron on May 24, 1946. The 463 FS having served in China as part of Fourteenth Air Force during World War II. The 199th Fighter Squadron was bestowed the lineage, history, honors, and colors of the 464th Fighter Squadron.
Seventy years ago, on August 3, 1946, Hawai‘i Governor Ingram Stainback ordered the Hawaii National Guard reestablished by an Executive Order. Brig. Gen. Fred Mckinney would serve as Adjutant General.
Among these returning elements were four Army Air Force units new to the Hawai‘i National Guard:
199th Fighter Squadron
199th Utility Flight, Detachment C
199th Air Service Group
199th Weather Station
They organized on September 10, 1946 under the Military Department, Territory of Hawai‘i under General Order No. 4. Their temporary headquarters was Honolulu Armory, located on the site of the current State Capitol. Built in the 1800s, the armory was razed to make way for the new State Capitol that opened in the 1960s.
click on photograph to enlarge – Honolulu Armory in circle
The 199th Fighter Squadron and the support units organized at Bellows Field, Waimanalo, Hawai‘i. The first 199 FS commander was Lieutenant Colonel Walter H. Dillingham. He managed Oahu Railway and Land Company, established by his father Benjamin. He later founded the Hawaiian Dredging Company. Dillingham resigned to run of a seat in the Territorial Legislature.
Colonel Dillingham was followed by Maj. William B. Morgan, and later Capt. Frank R. Harlocker.
By the end of October, enough personnel were recruited to meet the minimum requirements for Federal recognition. There were 74 names on the roster, including Capt. Valentine A. Siefermann, the future adjutant general. The Army Air Force team from Hickam Field inspected the units on November 4, 1946 and they were granted Federal recognition.
This date is recognized birthday of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard.
The Hawai‘i Air National Guard has come a long way since 1946. Today, the Hawaii Air National Guard is comprised of nearly 2,500 Airmen whose federal mission is to be trained and available for active duty Air Force operational missions.
Mahalo to everyone who served in the Hawai‘i Air National Guard over the past 70 years.
During October, the following postings received a high number of viewings.
MUST READ: 3 Things to Know about the TRICARE Pharmacy Shake-Up You might have heard about the TRICARE pharmacy shake-up that is coming December 1. Here are the basics: starting on that date, Tricare users will no longer be able to hit up CVS pharmacies, including those located in Target, for their covered prescriptions. But they will be able to visit a pharmacy that’s been off the table since 2011: Walgreens.
7 Facts About Retirement You Didn’t Know We daydream about it and know that we’re looking forward to finally reading that pile of books or finally taking that trip to Europe. But there’s a lot that most of us don’t realize about retirement, some of which would be rather useful.
A few bouts of atrial fibrillation (afib) can be enough to turn almost anyone’s focus to heart health. Changing what you eat and drink may top the list of things you can do to protect your heart, so it’s important to understand the relationship between this abnormal heart rhythm condition (afib) and food, says Lisa Cimperman, RD, clinical dietitian at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.
Most dietary strategies are designed around weight loss, because obesity may increase the risk for atrial fibrillation. But a diet that improves your overall heart health could also help with an atrial fibrillation condition, as well as with related complications. So if you have atrial fibrillation, make food choices that can be good for your heart.
RSVP by November 8, 2016 to:
https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=316966&k=016044007D51
View the special 3 for $33 menu here.
Flood damage to a residence on Maui, December 2007. Credit: NOAA Pacific Services Center
After several weeks of devastating flooding, homeowners all across the country are asking themselves, “Do I Need Flood Insurance?” That’s a complicated question, but I think that most people should, and I’ll tell you exactly why.
It’s been a month since Olympians returned home to cheering crowds, but these elite athletes are still feeling the effects of wins, losses, and joint and muscle inflammation.
If India and China had sent athletes to the early Olympic games, doctors might have prescribed turmeric, a spice long used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat musculoskeletal pain. Centuries later, today’s science would support them.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers are seeking former and retired Guardmembers who trained in the Kanaio Local Training Area (LTA) on Maui. If you served and/or trained this area, please consider sharing your knowledge to assist with the remedial feasibility study.
As we close in on the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 70th Anniversary, Retiree News takes a look at the aircraft the 154th Wing flew over the years.
Since its beginning in 1946, the Hawaii Air National Guard has flown many types of aircraft. The 199th Fighter Squadron flew all of the fighter aircraft and some of the support aircraft. The 204th Airlift Squadron had the C-130 Hercules as its primary aircraft until transitioning to the C-17 Globemaster III. The KC-135R has been the primary aircraft for the 203d Air Refueling Squadron
The links to each aircraft are from the Air Force Magazine “Airpower Classics” archive. They are arraigned in their order of appearance in the magazine.
2016: F-22 Raptor, C-17 Globemaster III
2015: F-15 Eagle, C-130 Hercules
2014: F-4 Phantom II
2013: C-47 Skytrain
2012: KC-135 Stratotanker
2011: C-7 Caribou
2010: B-26 Marauder, F-102 Delta Dagger
2008: F-86 Sabre, P-47 Thunderbolt
2006: C-54 Skymaster
Mayor’s Veterans Day Ceremony
– When: Friday, November 11, 2016 – Time: 0830 – Where: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)
Governor’s Veterans Day Ceremony
– When: Friday, November 11, 2016 – Time: 1300, with the prelude starting at 1245 – Where: Hawaii State Veterans CemeteryEnjoying sweet treats on Halloween or a glass of good cheer on New Year’s Eve is part of the holiday season, but some seasonal fare can take a toll on the health of our teeth and gums.
According to a 2015 report by the National Center of Health Statistics, 27 percent of American adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have untreated tooth decay. Much of this damage is caused by foods that wear away the protective enamel on the surface of our teeth — and you can find many of these foods at seasonal parties and holiday gatherings.
However, there are plenty of delicious options that will allow you to embrace the holiday spirit while keeping your teeth healthy. Here are the top nine foods to either love or limit through the fall and winter holidays.
James J. “Bubba” Tachihata 70, of Aiea, a U.S. Air Force veteran, Senior Master Sergeant with the Hawai‘i Air National Guard, and retired jet mechanic, died on Sept. 13, 2016 in Honolulu. He was born in Waipahu.
He is survived by wife Sharon; daughters Samantha and Kelsey Tachihata, and Jaime Suzuki; sister Helen Tateyama; brother Walter; and 6 grandchildren.
Visitation 9:00 a.m., Saturday (Nov. 5) at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel. Memorial service 10:00 a.m.
From the Honolulu Magazine website
Each year, thousands of tourists from around the world flock to visit the historic ‘Iolani Palace, once home to the Hawaiian monarchy. This National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu is ripe with memories and artifacts, and, not to mention, ghost stories. We consulted with storyteller Lopaka Kapanui, owner of Mysteries of Hawai‘i, for tales of ghost sightings on the palace grounds.
