1994-1996 Operation Provide Comfort II

Hawaii Air Guard to patrol Iraqi no-fly zone

Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s (HIANG) 154^th Group will deploy to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec. 3, for operation “Provide Comfort II.”‘

Guard F-15 pilots will fly sorties to ensure that lraqi air forces adhere to the “no-fly” zone in northern Iraq, above the 36^th parallel. The operation has denied flight to Iraqi air forces since the end of the Persian Gulf War.

Approximately 160 members of the 154^th Group will deploy during the month-long rotation.

Lt. Col. Peter Pawling, 154^th Operations Group commander, will lead HIANG forces deploying to Turkey.

U.S. Air Force units have patrolled the northern and southern no-fly zones of Iraq in order to protect Iraqi Kurds and Shiites, for more than three years. The 154^th Group and the 159^th Group from the Louisiana Air National Guard have been selected to temporarily relieve active duty forces based in Europe.

– 1994 September – October Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Command Notes

This has been a particularly momentous year for the Hawaii National Guard, one that will be capped off with the 154^th Group deployment to Incirlik, Air Base, Turkey, for Operation Provide Comfort II.

I am proud that the 154^th Group was selected for this mission, which is not just important to the HIANG but to the entire Air National Guard. The group’s participation in Provide Comfort II demonstrates the HIANG’s capability of deploying anywhere in the world. This will be a complex deployment, transporting a total of eight F-15s from the HIANG and 159^th Group in Louisiana, spare parts and support personnel half way around the world to Turkey. The 154^th Group is well trained and fully capable of handling the mission of patrolling the no-fly zone in northern Iraq.

The active duty Air Force has been patrolling the no-fly zones of lraq since the end of the Gulf War, and relief is needed for units that have been pulling extended tours of duty. With the downsizing of the U.S. military, the Pentagon is placing a greater reliance on the Guard for missions such as Provide Comfort II. This is another opportunity for the Guard to work side-by-side with our active duty counterparts.

Deploying to Turkey means that our personnel will spend time away from their families during the Christmas and New Year holidays. I want to thank all of the HIANG families for their understanding and support of this important tasking. The understanding of the employers of our drill-status personnel, who must take time off from their civilian jobs, is also greatly appreciated.

I am grateful to our deploying personnel for the contribution they are making to our state and country

– 1994 September – October Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Hawaii Army National Guard

154^th Group: Operation Provide Comfort II

Good luck and best wishes to the airmen of the 154^th Group, Hawaii Air National Guard who will be deploying in December to the Iraqi area of operations to participate in Provide Comfort II. They have shown time after time that they are the best in what they do, and I know they will perform in an outstanding manner. We look forward to welcoming them all back in January.

– 1994 September – October Pūpūkahi pp. 6

Group to “Provide Comfort”

Approximately 175 to 200 members of the 154^th Group will deploy to lncirlick Air Base. Turkey beginning December 3, 1994. for operation “Provide Comfort II”. The bulk of those deploying will be from the 154^th Maintenance Squadron and the 199^th Fighter Squadron. There will be approximately 120 Group personnel in Turkey at any one time. Lt. Col. Pete Pawling. 154^th Operations Group commander, will lead the HIANG to Turkey, where the 199 FS will temporarily relieve active duty pilots based in Europe. The U.S. has been patrolling the northern “no-fly” zone of Iraq since the end of the Gulf War. Redeployment to Hawaii is scheduled for January 12, 1995.

The plan calls for at least four Hawaii Air National Guard F-15 Eagles to fly to the 159^th Group in New Orleans, La. Hawaii F-15 pilots will then fly at least four 159^th Group F-15s, plus the Hawaii F-15s to Turkey. Hawaii pilots and ground crews will fly and maintain all eight aircraft until January 10, 1995. At that time, personnel from the 159^th Group will take over the flying and maintenance duties until mid February. Pilots from the 159^th Group will fly the Hawaii F-15s back to the U.S.

Provide Comfort has kept the skies of northern Iraq clear of Iraqi aircraft since 1991, thereby providing protection to ethnic Kurds, above the 36th parallel. The last Iraqi incursion into the northern no-fly zone occurred in January 1993. At that time, an Iraqi Mig-29 was shot down by a U.S. F-16. The Iraqis still possess an unspecified number of advanced Soviet and French made fighter aircraft. “To be honest, if the Iraqis violate the no-fly zone, they’ll be in more danger than we,” said Pawling.

A family support group briefing for deploying personnel and their families will be held Sunday, November 6, 1:30 pm at Aloha Theater, Hickam Air Force Base.

– 1994 November Kūkāʻilimoku pp. 1

COMMANDER’S CORNER

Other exciting news in the Group is the upcoming deployment of an F-15 package to lncirlick AB, Turkey to participate in the Provide Comfort II mission that enforces the no-fly zone in northern Iraq. A total of 175 to 200 people from operations, maintenance, and resources will be deployed from the first week in December thru the second week in January. Though the total number may seem small, this is a 154^th Group effort and if you are asked to support the initiative please do so. What is significant is the fact that this is the first undertaking of a real-world contingency tasking by an Air National Guard F-15 unit, and we were tasked to do it. I know we will represent Hawaii and the National Guard.

– 1994 November Kūkāʻilimoku pp. 2

COMMANDER’S CORNER

FINALLY, WE BRING THE YEAR TO A CLOSE WITH ONE OF THE MORE EXCITING AND MEANINGFUL THINGS TO HAPPEN TO US IN YEARS, THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN F-15 PACKAGE TO INCERLIK A.B. TURKEY IN SUPPORT OF THE PROVIDE COMFORT MISSION; ENFORCING THE UNITED NATIONS IMPOSED NO-FLY ZONE IN NORTHERN IRAQ. THE AIRPLANES AND APPROXIMATELY TWO THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE LEFT THIS MORNING WITH THE BALANCE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE ON DECEMBER 7^TH; AND A PARTIAL SWAPOUT SCHEDULED TO OCCUR ON THE 26^TH.

THIS DEPLOYMENT IS YET ANOTHER INDICATOR OF THE GREATER RELIANCE BEING PLACED ON THE GUARD AND RESERVES AS THE ACTIVE FORCE COMES DOWN IN SIZE. IT COMES DURING THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE’D ALL NATURALLY PREFER TO BE HOME WITH OUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES. I COMMEND ALL OF YOU WHO VOLUNTEERED TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT, AS WELL AS YOUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES WHO IN TURN SUPPORTED YOUR INVOLVEMENT; AND LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYONES SAFE RETURN IN LATE DECEMBER AND EARLY JANUARY.

– 1994 December Kūkāʻilimoku pp. 2-3

First group returns home from deployment in Turkey

Story and photo by 1st Lt. Charles J. Anthony

Thirty-three members of the 154^th Group who had deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey for Provide Comfort II received a rousing homecoming at Honolulu International Airport, Dec 30. A welcoming committee that included Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, Family Support Group, members of the 154^th Group, friends, family, and others who just happened to be at the airport at that time applauded and cheered as the Hawaii Air National Guard personnel exited the aircraft.

“We can be proud of the job our Hawaii Guard members performed while in Turkey and in the skies above northern Iraq,” said Richardson, state adjutant general. “They’ve clearly demonstrated the HIANG can deploy anywhere around the world as part of the total Air Force.”

“Actually, the flying was a lot less nerve wracking than I thought it would be,” said Lt. Col. Pete Pawling, the HIANG detachment commander. “The maintenance guys really impressed me, working under austere conditions-in freezing cold, at night, in the wind and rain-yet they never complained.”

Accommodations for the maintenance crews meant sleeping in “tent city” at Incirlik.

“Sometimes the heat would go out in the middle of the night. Sometimes the showers only had cold water. It was a challenge, but we handled it all right,” said Staff Sgt. Rex Godinez, a member of the 154^th Maintenance Squadron.

1^st Lt. Chris Faurot, a pilot with the 199^th Fighter Squadron, said they didn’t encounter any problems patrolling the no-fly zone.

“We saw Iraqi aircraft on our radar on the other side of the no-fly zone, but they never tried to engage us.”

– 1994 November – December Pūpūkahi pp. 4

154^th Wrapping up PC II

story and photo by 1^st Lt. Charles Anthony

Pilots and maintenance crews from the 154^th Group participating in Provide Comfort II will be wrapping up their final sorties this weekend and preparing to come home. More than 110 personnel are scheduled to arrive at Hickam AFB on January 11. Thirty-three Provide Comfort II participants, who were part of the “swap-out” rotation, flew home on two commercial flights on December 30.

It was a rousing homecoming for the travel weary members of the HIANG. The State Family Program office organized a small welcome home reception at Honolulu International Airport. Friends, family members and others who just happened to be at the airport at that time, applauded and cheered as the HIANG personnel exited the aircraft.

The 154^th Group, along with active duty forces, has been protecting ethnic Kurds in Northern Iraq from the forces of Saddam Hussein. At the end of the Gulf War, the United Nations imposed two no-fly zones, placing Iraqi territory north of the 36^th parallel and south of the 32^nd parallel, off-limits to Iraqi aircraft.

The 199^th Fighter Squadron is the first Air National Guard F-15 unit in the nation to deploy on a “real world” mission. Conditions at lncirlik Air Base in Turkey were not exactly like home, but everyone seemed to take the glitches in stride with the typical HIANG “can do” attitude. “Weather conditions were a little difficult. Except for Christmas day, it was cold, wet and rainy,” said SSgt. Rex Godinez, a member of the 154^th Maintenance Squadron (154 MXS) flightline crew. Accommodations for the maintenance crews meant sleeping in “tent city” at lncirlik. “Sometimes the heat would go out in the middle of the night.. Sometimes the showers only had cold water. It was a challenge, but we handled it all right,” said Godinez.

“We went in. We went to work and we got the mission done,” said TSgt. Miles Moriyama, a weapons loader with the 154 MXS. “Handling live weapons was not a problem. It was all in a day’s work.”

Enduring the separation from loved ones during the holiday season was made easier by “care” packages from home, and by Christmas cards sent by American school children. “I received a card from some kids in Alabama as part of Operation Dear Abby,” said Godinez. “It really brightened things up. I’ll have to write them back.”

“The maintenance guys impressed me no end,” said Lt. Col. Pete Pawling, 154^th Operations Group commander. “Under very austere conditions-freezing cold, working at night, in the wind and rain-but I never heard a complaint. The camaraderie was great. We can all be proud of the job we did.”

1st Lt. Chris Faurot. a pilot with the 199^th Fighter Squadron, said patrolling the no-fly zone was a good opportunity to work closely with the active duty pilots. “They gave us some good pointers,” he said. “The aircraft felt a little different. It was a lot heavier fully gassed and fully loaded,” added Faurot. “We saw Iraqi aircraft on our radar on the other side of the nofly zone, but they never tried to engage us.”

A homecoming celebration for the remainder of the Provide Comfort II group members is tentatively planned for Wednesday. January 11, at 7:30 a.m., at Hickam AFB AMC terminal. All HIANG members are welcome to attend.

– 1995 January Kūkāʻilimoku pp. 1 & 3

154^th Group back from Turkey

By 1st Lt. Charles J. Anthony

It was a hero’s welcome, Jan. 11, at Hickam Air Force Base for 122 members of the 154^th Group as they finished the last leg of their journey which had taken them half way around the world and back. Personnel of the 154^th Group along with F-15s from the 199^th Fighter Squadron deployed Dec. 3 to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, for Operation Provide Comfort II, patrolling the northern no-fly zone of lraq.

A total of 160 personnel participated in the deployment, which began Dec. 3.

Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, state adjutant general, Maj. Gen.J.M “Boomer” McBroom, deputy commander, Pacific Air Forces, and several hundred friends and family members greeted the Hawaii Air National Guard airmen as they exited the commercially chartered L-10-11 behind the AMC Terminal.

The State Family Program Coordinator, Lt. Laura Jones, and others had arranged for the warm reception. Music was provided by the Hawaii Army Guard’s 111^th Army Band

“When I went to Vietnam, only my immediate family saw me off at the airport,” said Richardson. “And when I came back, they were the only ones to welcome me home. I didn’t want that to happen again to our people.”

The Hawaii Air National Guard pilots flew more than 60 sorties over Iraqi territory, chalking up more than 240 hours in the air. They protected ethnic Kurds in northern Iraq by keeping Iraqi air forces out of the no-fly zone imposed by the United Nations at the end of the Gulf War. “It was pretty routine, except for a few seconds of excitement,” said Lt. Col. Ed Pickering, 199th Fighter Squadron pilot, referring to one instance when Iraqi warplanes were detected just south of the no-fly zone.

– 1995 January – February Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Provide Comfort II

by I Lt. Charles J. Anthony

It was a hero’s welcome January 11 at Hickam Air Force Base for 122 members of the 154^th Group as they finished the last leg of their journey which had taken them half way around the world and back. 154 GP personnel along with F15s from the 199^th fighter Squadron deployed December 3, 1994 to lncirlik Air Base, Turkey for Operation Provide Comfort 11, patrolling the northern no-fly zone of Iraq.

A total of 160 personnel participated in the deployment, which began on December 3, 1994

Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, state adjutant general, Maj. Gen. J.M. “Boomer” McBroom, deputy commander, Pacific Air Forces, and several hundred friends and family members greeted the Hawaii Air National Guard airmen as they stepped off the commercially chartered aircraft behind the AMC Terminal.

“When I went to Vietnam, only my immediate family saw me off at the airport,” said Richardson. “And when I came back, they were the only ones to welcome me home. I vowed that that would not happen again to our guys.”

The Hawaii Air National Guard pilots flew more than 60 sorties over Iraqi territory, chalking up more than 240 hours in the air. They protected ethnic Kurds in northern Iraq by keeping Iraqi air forces out of the no-fly zone imposed by the United Nations at the end of the Gulf War. “It was pretty routine, except for a few second of excitement,” said Lt. Col. Ed Pickering, 199 FS pilot, referring to one of the instances when Iraqi warplanes were detected just south of the no-fly zone.

– 1995 February Kūkāʻilimoku pp. 3 & 5

MXS

The WELCOME HOME mat was rolled out on Jan 11 as all 122 HIANG members participating in Provide Comfort II returned home from Turkey. It took Trans World Air about 32 hours to get our folks back from Turkey, making pit stops in Shannon, Ireland; Bangor, Maine; Boise, Idaho; San Francisco, California; then finally Honolulu, Hawaii. The maintenance and operations folks working out of the Alert facility were the first HIANG people to greet our guys and gal as the aircraft made it’s way down the taxiway. Lei greeters, Maj. Gen. Edward Richardson (HITAG), Maj. Gen. J. McBroom (PACAF Dir of Plans, representing Gen Lorber, CINCPACAF) and Col. Mike Tice were the first to greet Lt. Col. Gary Peters (Detachment Commander) and the returning officers and airmen after the plane parked in it’s designated slot. The Hawaii Army National Guard Band played the theme song from Hawaii Five-O, the Air Force Song, Hawaii Aloha and many other Hawaiian tunes as the returning members made their way along the tarmack to the arms of their loved ones who were waiting since 6:30 that morning. After some very short remarks by Maj. Gen. Richardson, Maj. Gen. McBroom and Col Tice, the group was led to the AMC waiting room where pupus and soft drinks donated by the family members awaited them. It was a very heartwarming sight to see all the happy faces of the families who came to welcome home their “special hero•”. Kudos to CMSgt. Doug Abe, Ll Col. Bill Josephson, 2Lt Laura Jones and a host of other volunteers who made the whole affair an outstanding one. TSgt. Wayne Pontes (Combat Visual Information) did an outstanding job in putting together a video of the event which should be available for viewing shortly. To all the folks who returned, WELCOME BACK!!!

– 1995 February Kūkāʻilimoku pp. 6