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Shane Nagatani Promoted to Colonel

Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph

Congratulations to the Hawaii Air National Guard’s newest Full-Bird Colonel, Col. Shane Nagatani.

Friends, leaders and ‘ohana attended to witness this intimate promotion ceremony outside of the 154th Operations Group. 

Prior to the promotion event, Nagatani assumed command of the Operations Group in a separate venue, executed in a traditional Operations Group fashion.

154th Operations Group Change of Command Ceremony

Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page

Click on “Watch on Facebook”

Under a traditional change-of-command (CoC) ceremony, it’s customary to have on-scene static aircraft displays to represent the organization’s invaluable assets.

But in this case, rather than bringing the jets to preside at the ceremony, Col. Shane Nagatani and the 154th Wing command team decided to take their ceremony to the skies during a routine training sortie.

Brig. Gen. Dann S. Carlson, 154th Wing commander, officiated the 154th Operations Group CoC ceremony orders aboard a C-17 Globemaster III, while Nagatani was aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker and the former OG commander flew an F-22 Raptor training mission.

Col. Phillip Mallory, former OG commander and current vice wing commander, rendezvoused with Nagatani to hold a symbolic relinquishment of command during the pinnacle of an air refueling procedure.

The unique change of command included all aircraft of the Hawaii Air National Guard and leaders who represented each unit under the 154th Operations Group.

If the embedded video does not play, go to this link

Off Track: How Tabasco Sauce Fought in Every American Conflict Since World War II

From the Military.com website

As the Union Army approached Avery Island, Louisiana in 1863, the McIlhenny family abandoned their farm and fled. When they returned after the war, the farm was bare. Its crops were seized by the Union troops and, presumably, kept the Army running.

All the crops, that is, except its spicy tabasco peppers. Necessity is the mother of invention and the McIlhenny family needed to sell something from the farm to make ends meet. They made a delicious sauce from the peppers, bottled it and sold it to the masses.

Hot sauces have come and gone, but Tabasco has been sold continuously since 1868. That was just its first contact with the U.S. military.

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Home Remedies for Migraines

From the WebMD website

Photograph from this WedMD article

Suffering from a migraine? Here is what you can do at home to relieve pain — and help you prevent another one.

Learn more

Check Six: November 2009 Kūkā‘ilimoku

The Kūkā‘ilimoku is the official e-newsletter of the 154th Wing, Hawai’i Air National Guard. The first issue came in September 1957 and continues as a monthly newsletter today. 

Today we feature the November 2009 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:

* HIANG leaders develop strategic plan

* 204th Airlift Squadron sets benchmark in Reno Air Show

* Promotions: including Christopher Cruz, Marvin Isidro

* HIANG takes eight consecutive volleyball title

Review the entire November 2009 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue

The Well Traveled Path: Dr. Jenny Yu on returning to travel

From the Lonely Planet website

Hi, I’m Dr. Jenny Yu, Healthline’s Medical Expert and Lonely Planet Travel Health Expert. Welcome to my column, where each week I’ll share stories and insights, experiences and opportunities, and perspectives on how you can take the “well” traveled path in your journeys. 

A recent trip to NYC reinvigorated an 18-month-long period of dormant energy in me. Experiencing the return to life in a city that went on pause during the pandemic was just what I needed. Strolling without a specific destination, listening to the constant construction noise, observing the families with strollers and dogs in tow, and hearing the ubiquitous honking from taxis brought me joy. City life is back, and so with it, came my uplifted spirits.

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Air Force opens ROTC instructor jobs to all noncommissioned officers

From the Air Force Times website

U.S. Air Force photograph

All noncommissioned officers can now apply to teach at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachments across the United States and Puerto Rico, opening a job opportunity that previously shut out most enlisted airmen.

In the past, only NCOs who worked in the personnel and administration fields were allowed to serve in collegiate ROTC programs. The Air Force hopes that exposing cadets to more diverse enlisted fields will offer more insight into that side of the force, get them to consider a broader range of career options and strengthen officer-enlisted relationships.

Learn more

Thanks to Gordon Lau for sharing this article

How to Prevent a Heart Attack

From the Everyday Health website

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. About 659,000 deaths each year stem from heart-related causes, including those from heart attack and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This accounts for about 1 in every 4 deaths. The economic burden of heart disease is also enormous, totaling about $363 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity, the CDC reports. Many of these deaths could be prevented and the healthcare costs reduced through medication and changes in health habits, the CDC notes.

Learn more

Check Six – Mid-1950s: F-86 Sabre Preflight

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph

The 199th Fighter Squadron flew North American Aviation F-86E Sabres from 1954 through 1958. This undated photograph shows a mechanic and pilot during a preflight at Hickam AFB, Hawai‘i. The 199 FS flew out of Area 65 and the Waianae mountain range in in the background.

Interesting that both airmen are wearing their uniform caps on the flightline. It also appears that the pilot is wearing high top basketball shoes. Times were a little different…

Veterans Day 2021 Discounts

From the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website

Veterans Day 2021 is on Thursday, November 11th, 2021. This Veterans Day discounts list will continue to be updated as we learn of more nationally available Veterans Day discounts, meals or other ways businesses and organizations want to give back to Veterans. These Veterans Day discounts, free meals and other programs are being shared so that Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors are aware of all resources available to them.

Due to COVID-19, some organizations are now offering discounts to Veterans all the time instead of their regular Veterans Day discounts. These adjustments help Veterans take advantage of the discounts offered while avoiding the usual Veterans Day crowds. A new section at the bottom of this story will list all the year-round Veterans discounts.

*The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Verify information with the offering organization.

List of Veterans Day discounts

Check Six: November 1962 Kūkā‘ilimoku

The Kūkā‘ilimoku is the official e-newsletter of the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard. The first issue came in September 1957 and continues as an e-newsletter today. 

Today we feature the November 1962 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:

* Group pilot training program announced

* FY63 Field Training schedule

* Quick review after one year in Building 3400

Review the entire November 1962 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue

How does rheumatoid arthritis affect the knees?

From the Medical News Today website

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. RA in the knees may severely affect a person’s mobility.

RA commonly affects the joints in the hands, wrists, and knees, causing the lining of the joints to become inflamed and damaged. RA is typically symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body equally.

There are around 1.5 million individuals in the United States with RA. They may have difficulty carrying out everyday activities, and if RA affects their knees, they may find walking, climbing stairs, and general mobility challenging.

If people do not seek treatment for RA, it can cause progressive inflammation, resulting in damage to the joints that can ultimately lead to permanent disability.

In this article, we look at how RA affects the knees, and we discuss the symptoms and treatment options.

New Followers 21.11.03

You can register to receive an email every time there is a new post.

In the Follow Retiree News via Emailsection, on the right column of the website – enter your email address and press Follow”. 

Shortly, you will receive a confirmation email to your address from WordPress.com. You acknowledge the email and you are a registered reader.

After you compete this short registration process, you get a notification email every time there is a new posting. The email has a quick teaser of the posting, along with tags that indicate how the posting relates to special topics/areas. There is a direct link to the website.

Thanks to these Retiree News readers who registered to “Follow Retiree News via Email”:

Ralph Hasegawa, werrichr, Wayne Uchima, noboru575, Richard Tsuchiya, cerfpmd, californiadreamer1085, msamlegion, mariane43G, steamdriver, gcarlton157, blessedmanma62, fritzt220, Randall Fukunaga, jovisshark

Hawaii Air National Guard: 75 Years of Service

Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page

Hawaii Air National Guard composite photograph

It all started 75 years ago. In the months leading up to November 4, 1946, the Hawai‘i Air National Guard was a small militia comprised of state volunteers who operated out of Bellows Field.

What began as four small units that banded together after the events of World War II, was federally recognized to be a competent organization on November 4 and postured to carry out peacekeeping measures for the Nation’s Department of Defense and deliver emergency services for the common people of Hawai‘i.

With the 199th Fighter Squadron, 199th Utility Flight, 199th Air Services Group and the 199th Weather Station being the founding units, the Hawai‘i Air National Guard’s mission and personnel roster grew roughly 10-fold over the past 75 years. The HIANG force structure now entails a HIANG Headquarters 154th Wing, the 201st Air Operations Group and the 298th Air Defense Squadron, comprised of more than 2,500 combat-ready guardsmen.

Generations of highly trained Airmen have since responded to their call of duty during times of national crisis, overseas conflict and state-wide emergencies, spanning from hurricanes, lava operations, outbreaks and more. As a formidable fighting force, HIANG Airmen have served as a steadfast deterrent against our nation’s adversaries, providing decades-on-end of 24/7 alert readiness.

Today, we continue our vital mission in the wake of many great leaders and family members who paved the path of excellence for us to follow.

Members of our ‘ohana now specialize in a broader scope of responsibility than ever, operating alongside joint partners and wingmen from all Air Force components on a daily basis.

Mahalo to all the HIANG veterans, family members, civilian teammates and those who are still serving. You all are the very reason why we have come so far and will continue to grow and serve this community that means everything to us.