Five retired Air Force general officers urged the congressionally mandated commission mulling the Air Force’s future structure to consider merging the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. The retired two stars—Tommy Dyches, Bugs Forsythe, Andy Love, Dick Platt, and Frank Scoggins—presented their proposal, which dates back to 2011, during the commission’s Aug. 27 public hearing in Arlington, Va. “Some people say this is Air National Guard-centric because it has the dual-status piece, but just as many people in the Guard community think it’s Reserve-centric because it uses the Air Force Reserve Command structure,” said Scoggins. “We think it’s Total Air Force-centric,” he said. In contrast, Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Andrew Davis, Reserve Officers Association executive director, said the proposal was based on outdated information. He also highlighted other challenges with it, such as command and control issues, management, and legal authorities. Maj. Gen. James Stewart, military executive officer of the Pentagon’s Reserve Forces Policy Board, speaking on behalf of himself, said the proposal fails to acknowledge “distinct differences in state and federal missions.” He called the merger “unwise.”
Earlier this month, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) today released the 2012 edition of the State of Hawaii Data Book at dbedt.hawaii.gov. The state’s Data Book is the most comprehensive statistical book about Hawaii in a single compilation. With more than 800 data tables, it covers a broad range of statistical information in areas such as population, education, labor, energy, business enterprises, government, tourism and transportation.
DBEDT’s Research and Economic Analysis Division (READ) also maintains the historical series of tables and updates the data continuously throughout the year. The historical series and the update can be found in the “Economic Information” section of the DBEDT website dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic.
The Data Book is available on the DBEDT website, at dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/databook and may be downloaded in whole or in part as either PDF or Excel files.
The latest spin on a ransom note isn’t composed of letters clipped out of a newspaper. Increasingly, criminals are unleashing brash attacks on your PC and its data through a type of malicious software called ransomware.
It’s exasperating enough when your computer is sluggish because of a virus, but what if the virus installs embarrassing pornography on your screen or encrypts your data so you can’t read it? Ransomware attacks often use these tactics to demand you pay a ransom to remove the pornography or to access your files. Read more http://ow.ly/ok43J
Check out the O‘ahu major parades & street activities for September. Lots to enjoy! http://ow.ly/ojRIc
Taken from a twitter feed of Nancy Daniels, Director of Public Relations for Outrigger Enterprises Group.
Boomers are largely uninformed and unprepared for the day-to-day care they may need in retirement. Read more http://ow.ly/ob3db
With more and more Americans driving well into their 70s, 80s and beyond, there are lots of tips, tools and programs available today to help seniors drive safer and longer. Read more http://ow.ly/ob2um
The Department of the Treasury, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, provides a Financial Literacy Resource Directory on their website. Their directory provides information on financial literacy resources, issues and events that are important to bankers, organizations, and consumers of all ages. It provides a wide array of information such as; fact sheets, newsletters, conference materials, publications, and links to Websites. Go to http://ow.ly/ok1JO
Dalwyn Wong sent an email updating his status.
I’m working at Hickam AFB now with a company called HX5, LLC. I’m on a NGB contract working for the 201st Intelligence Squadron. I handle the Patriot Excalibur software/hardware system for the 201 IS and the rest of Hickam AFB and Wheeler AAF. I still get to see many of the current Guard members since my job takes me into the squadrons on a daily basis.
I’m in California for the week moving my daughter into her apartment at the University of Southern California. We were doing a grocery run at the Los Angeles AFB commissary and saw Bill Spillane there. I was turning the corner at one of the aisles and this guy was blocking the way. I really didn’t see who it was because I only could see the back of his head. Not sure how Bill Spillane’s name came into mind, maybe it’s from all those years of flying in the backseat of the F-4 with Bill in the front. I think I really surprised Bill when he heard someone call his name. Bill still looks the same. He lives in Manhattan Beach, California so it’s not surprising that he was at the Los Angeles AFB commissary.
Soldiers is the official United States Army magazine. The magazine is produced by the Defense Media Activity for the Secretary of the Army Office of Public Affairs. Read the August issue http://soldiers.dodlive.mil/2013/08/
Reminder – the DOD Awards and Retirement Luncheon is next Wednesday, September 4, 2013. More information at http://ow.ly/ohOQN
Did you know? Hurricane season began June 1 and runs through November 30. Learn what to do before, during & after a hurricane from http://ready.gov/hurricanes
Please note that here in Hawai‘i, we need to stock water and supplies for at least 7-10 days. Most government websites recommend 3 days, and that is a reasonable supply if you live on the continental United States. Islanders are dependent on container ships that take 7 days to get to Hawai‘i from Oakland or Los Angeles.
Special Thanks to Vivian Tsutsumi who registered to “Follow Blog via Email” last week.
Abraham Kaihe “Abe” Poai Sr., 68, of Hilo, a state of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Highways Division employee and an Army and Army National Guard veteran, passed away on August 17, 2013. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by sons Abraham “Kaihe”Jr., Anthony “Awe” and Alvin “Kupili”; brothers Lawrence, George and Dennis; hanai brother Samuel Kawaha; sisters Rachel Hanohano, Eva Rowe, Mabel Iopa, Sybil M. Evans and Cathy Ann Simmons; and six grandchildren. Visitation:5 p.m. Wednesday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Services:7 p.m. Additional visitation:8 a.m. Thursday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Services:10 a.m. Burial: 11:30 a.m. at Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Flowers welcome.
Is it safe for our family to get medical advice over the Internet? Read more http://ow.ly/ob4kb
