2018-2019 Kosovo Force Support

29^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers participate in annual training to prepare for deployment

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii) –Story by Sgt. Tinisha Mellein-Fortson – Friday, August 24, 2018

Traditionally, annual training is two weeks, but Soldiers have been engaged with additional deployment training from August 4-24, 2018. Some of the training includes: land navigation, weapons qualification on the M4 rifle and M9 pistol, combat lifesaver skills, physical fitness training and multiple Kosovo culture briefs.

“It’s a little different, it is a twenty one day annual training, it’s a little longer than expected,” said 1st Sgt. Brandon Kumalae of the 29th IBCT. “We are doing specialized weapons training with M9 pistols, not something that everyday Soldiers carry around, and in depth weapons qualifications for the M4 rifle and other specific types of training for Kosovo.”

Although most Soldiers participating in this mission were previously deployed, this is the first deployment for some Soldiers with the 29th IBCT. Spc. Rhodger Savella, a unit supply specialist with the 29th IBCT and a graduate of the Hawaii Army National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, assists in coordinating logistics for the brigade as well as participating in Army warrior tasks during his first annual training.

“The annual training has helped me to be more confident when I get down range and has allowed me to apply my MOS training and take it to the next level during this brigade deployment process,” said Savella.

Another Soldier deploying for first time is Pfc. Alexys Puana, an air defense battle management systems operator, who is also participating in her first annual training. The Pearl City high school graduate is an only child, but this will not be her first-time away from home. She has comfort in knowing she can video chat with her family while overseas.

“I feel the training I am receiving during AT will help me better understand what my role and responsibilities will be when I get in country, “ said Puana.

When asked what they will miss most about Hawaii, both Savella and Puana said they would miss their families, the weather, and the food, but both are excited and looking forward to serving their country, encountering snow for the first time, and having new experiences.

The purpose of the KFOR mission is to contribute to a safe and secure environment, support the international humanitarian effort, and the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo, and support the development of the Kosovo Security Force.

Training has been carefully planned and made to mimic real life situations that Soldiers may encounter while deployed. The goal is to engage every Soldier in practical simulations and give feedback on what went well and how they could improve.

“We are ready to go tomorrow,” said Kumalae. “I am very confident that we are ready to deploy and ready to do our mission.”

– 2018 Summer Pupukahi pp. 4

Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers deploy to Egypt and Kosovo

– 2018 Summer Pupukahi pp. 11

Soldier Spotlight Spc. Janis K. Poole

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Sgt. Tinisha MelleinFortson – Thursday, October 25, 2018

Where is Spc. Poole? I need her!” This seems to be the question, as you will often see her working to keep Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) ready for their deployment to Kosovo.

Spc. Janis K. Poole is more than just a Soldier in the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG); she is a mother of two, the middle child and only girl of five boys, and comes from a family of rich military history.

“I’ve always wanted to serve my country,” said Poole. “I feel that joining the military is a selfless act, and it makes me feel pride in myself and for my family that I can represent them serving the country and protecting those I love the best I can.”

This will be Poole’s first deployment with the 29th IBCT. The Waianae resident has now been in service for three short years and already achieved the rank of specialist.

Poole wanted to join the military when she graduated from Kalaheo High School in 2002, but had a difficult time meeting the Army’s height and weight standards.

But she never let go of her desire to join.

She worked hard through diet and exercise and was able to enlist in 2015. Her journey speaks to her dedication and perseverance.

“I joined a crossfit gym, I watched my portions and made healthier food choices, and kept a positive mindset to reach my goal,” said Poole.

Like other traditional Guardsmen, Poole balances her civilian job, home life and military duties. She currently works at the distribution management office on Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, Hawaii. She oversees all transportation and logistics services for Soldiers and their families to include passports.

As a certified military passport agent, Poole was tasked to help the 1-299th Cavalry Regiment obtain valid military passports and visas in preparation for their deployment to Egypt.

Poole solely processed approximately 500 passports and visas, which meant working long hours. As a result of her hard work and dedication she was recognized and presented with a coin from the Deputy Adjutant General and Commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara.

Poole says success is working hard, doing the very best you can and teaching others to be just as successful as you are. She not only wants to get the job done, but ensure it’s done right.

Spc. Poole was hand picked to be the administrative specialist working for the leadership, training and readiness staff. She will assist with all administrative and training for every Soldier of the 29th IBCT.

“She has been an incredible asset to the team,” said 1st Sgt. Brandon Kumalae, of the Headquarters Headquarters Company (HHC), 29th IBCT. “Despite not having a lot of years in the Army she knows a lot. She’s very proficient in her job and is a self starter she just knows what needs to be done and can operate off the commanders intent.”

Poole is looking forward to deploying, but she will miss her children and her family. Preparing her children for this deployment was not easy.

“It took six months to spin them up to help them understand what was to come,” said Poole. “It’s hard leaving them, but they understand mommy has a job to do, so I Face Time them and I call them as much as I can. It’s hard to help an eight-year-old and a seven-year-old to understand. I wanted them to have something to know I was always thinking of them so I gave them Army dressed teddy bears and a set of my dog tags to hold. I told them this is my incentive to you that I’m going to come back, so when I get back you are to give them back to me, and that was my promise to them.”

Spc. Poole is an example of what it means to be a citizen soldier, serving both community and country.

– 2018 Winter Pupukahi pp. 3

KFOR 25 Assumes Command

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment – Story by Capt. Darren Taylor – Monday, November 26, 2018

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo The official beginning of the “Lava Brigade’s” deployment to support Kosovo Force (KFOR) commenced with a Transfer of Authority ceremony held on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Nov. 17, 2018.

During the ceremony, the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (29IBCT), Hawaii Army National Guard, assumed command of Multinational Battle Group – East (MNBG-E) from the outgoing 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, California Army National Guard.

“This is a great opportunity, and we are going to do great things here,” said U.S. Army Col. Roy Macaraeg, MNBG-E commander.

Macaraeg wished outgoing KFOR 24 commander Col. Nick Ducich best of luck and thanked him and his entire team for doing such a great job during their rotation.

During the ceremony, the outgoing commander expressed his satisfaction as the commander of KFOR 24 MNBG-E. The commitment to the people of Kosovo by maintaining a safe and secure environment for all was deeply appreciated by all in attendance.

“For the incredible Soldiers who make up the Lava Brigade, you have the unique aloha spirit that automatically brings people together in friendship,” said Col. Nick Ducich, outgoing MNBG-E commander. “We hand this mission off to you knowing that you will achieve greater success while preventing further scarring of this land due to violence.” This deployment is the first of its kind for the 29 IBCT, but the role of providing safety and security is not.

Prior to deploying to Kosovo, Soldiers of the 29 IBCT assisted in the state-of-emergency lava flow incident on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Soldiers assisted with security in-and-around the lava impacted areas.

Macaraeg says that, situations like the lava flow ensure our readiness is at its peak.

“We are well trained, well-led, and well-equipped to address the complex situation in Kosovo,” said Macaraeg. “We have a great multinational NATO team, and we are looking forward to working with everyone.”

The transfer of authority reaffirms the KFOR mission and enduring commitment to a safe and secure environment for all people of Kosovo.

– 2018 Winter Pupukahi pp. 6

The Hawai’i Army National Guard saw its largest deployment numbers since 2008 with the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deploying to Kosovo, the 1-299th Cavalry deploying to Egypt, the 1-487th Field Artillery deploying to Afghanistan and the 189th Aviation deploying in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

– 2019 Annual Report pp. 1