Department of Defense

1980 August

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s annual training session took place in August 1980 and required movement of large numbers of troops and equipment between the islands. Infantry units were stationed at Schofield Barracks and in the Kahuku training areas. Artillery units and the air cavalry troop trained at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii. Under the roundout program agreement, Army Guard roundout units were placed under the operational control of the 25th Infantry Division. This association created a command environment which closely resembled an actual mobilization.

In addition, the United States Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, was placed under the operational control of the 29th Infantry Brigade during the period of annual training. Under the roundout program, the 100th Battalion would also become a unit of the 25th Infantry Division following Federal activation.

The scout platoons of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 299th Infantry attended the air assault school conducted by the United States Army during annual training. Graduates of this very demanding course were among the first to receive the coveted air assault badge conferred by the 25th Infantry Division’s elite air assault school. The only other Army unit authorized to award the air assault badge is the 101st Airborne Division located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

– 1981 Annual Report pp. 7

All three units of the Hawaii Air National Guard conducted extensive training operations at home and overseas throughout the year. Most personnel of the Hawaii Air National Guard do not attend two weeks of annual summer training as do the Hawaii Army National Guard members. Instead, the training, for the most part, is scheduled throughout the year.

For the 154th Composite Group and its affiliated units, much of the training involved flights and radar intercepts against aircraft of mainland-based Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units, as well as those attached to Hawaii based Marine Corps and Navy fighter groups. For the many members of the 201st Combat Communications Group and the 199th Weather Flight, annual training involves deployments overseas or special exercises here in the islands

– 1981 Annual Report pp. 11

AT’ 80

Annual training 1980 captured the heat of August with more than 2,400 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers training at various sites throughout the site.

Arriving from the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and various locations on Oahu, Hawaii citizen soldiers spent 14 days at Schofield Barracks’ “Tent City” polishing up their military skills.

The Army Guardsmen were joined by nearly 400 Army Reservists. This was the third year that the members of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry joined up with the Army National Guard.

The major combat arms units in the Army Guard – the 29th Infantry Brigade – were supported by units of the Headquarters Installation Command.

Although the main body of the Army Guard trained on Oahu, several other units used the facilities on the Big Island. Artillerymen of the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, fired their 105mm howitzers at the Pohakuloa Training Area.

Hawaii Army National Guardsmen also scored a first when 61 reservists were the first to graduate from the 25th Division’s Air Assault School. They are now entitled to wear the coveted air assault badge.

Annual training 1980 once again proved the effectiveness of the one-Army concept in Hawaii. Soldiers from WESTCOM, the 25th Division, Hawaii Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve showed they can work together as a cohesive total force.

– 1980 September Pūpūkahi pp. 4

299th members ATtack Schofield

A total of 440 Hawaii Army National Guard members from Maui, Molokai and Kauai spent the last half of their 15 days of annual training by undergoing field training exercises in the Kahuku hills.

Members of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, sharpened their infantry skills by practicing squad and platoon tactical training before returning to their civilian jobs Aug. 16.

Throughout this week, members of the 1st Battalion, which is normally headquartered in Wailuku, Maui, conducted several airmobile raids on simulated enemy positions in the Kahuku training area.

Moving in two separate assault waves, members of the 1st Battalion, commanded by Maj. Thomas Weeks, of Kula, Maui, attacked a simulated enemy communication site defended by 25th Infantry Division “aggressor forces.”

On three separate days members of the 1st Battalion’s three infantry companies were airlifted to Puu Kapu in the Kahuku foothills on UH-I H Huey transport helicopters provided by the 25th Infantry Division.

The 1st Battalion is one of two Hawaii Army National Guard infantry battalions that belong to the 29th Infantry Brigade, commanded by Lt. Col. Louis Perry. If the Hawaii Army Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade is ever activated, it will “roundout” the 25th Division as the division’s third brigade.

Speed and surprise are the keys to success in this type of mission and according to the 25th Division advisers who accompanied the battalion on the raid, the Neighbor Island Guard members accomplished their mission in an “outstanding and professional manner.”

The 1st Battalion began its 15 days of annual training Aug. 2, spending their first week in Area X at Schofield Barracks before moving to Kahuku this week to work on squad and platoon tactics.

Various phases of training for the members during their two weeks of active duty included the Army’s skill qualification tests, 81 mm mortar firing, and training on the Dragon, an anti-tank weapon utilizing an infrared tracker beam.

Of the 440 men belonging to the 1st Battalion, 155 are residents of Maui; 150 are from Kauai and 32, Molokai. The remaining 103 soldiers are from Oahu.

Gov. George R. Ariyoshi, in his official capacity as commander of the Hawaii National Guard, visited troops training in Area X’s “Tent City” and Dillingham airfield Aug. 19.

During his short visit the governor met with members oft he 159th Service Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Haruo Shigezawa, who are participating in the Army training test at Dillingham airfield.

Ariyoshi also had the opportunity to sample a hot Army meal provided by the Army Guard’s 229th Medical Company, commanded by Capt. Dennis Kim.

-Sp4 Francine Tobalado
117th Public Affairs Det.

– 1980 September Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Missile units sharpen skills on Big Isle

In a scene reminiscent of the days when the Nike Hercules missile was king of the islands, the Hawaii Army National Guard once again fielded an air defense platoon.

In May and June, the Redeye anti-aircraft missile sections of HARNG’s 487th Field Artillery and 299th Infantry joined the U.S. Army’s 62nd Air Defense Artillery Battalion from Schofield Barracks in a “Task Force Aim High” training exercise at Pohakuloa.

This first-of-a-kind opportunity gave the Guard members two weeks of intensive air defense training in the Chaparrel air defense missile system, Vulcan 20mm air defense gun, and early warning and alert devices.

The training culminated with three days of combat simulation when fighter aircraft from the Ohio Air National Guard practiced bombing and strafing runs as the Hawaii units used Redeye training devices to register kills or misses on the fighters.

All three Red eye sections of the Guard are looking forward to a repeat performance next year, also hoping that they can bring their sections up to full strength by that time.

-1st Lt. Jeffrey Howards
487th Field Artillery

– 1980 September Pūpūkahi pp. 3

HANG’s 154th Composite Group returns from Japan exercises

A 125-member contingent from the Hawaii Air National Guard returned to the islands in late June after completing two weeks of highly successful – and historic – training exercises in Guam and Japan.

The unique two-stage deployment involved six HANG F4C Phantom fighters, ground crews and support personnel from the 154th Composite Group.

The Hawaii personnel left Hickam Air Force Base aboard transport aircraft from various mainland Air Guard units, and were accompanied by the F-4s and U.S. Air Force KC135 tankers.

Their first stop was Anderson Air Force Base on Guam, where the HANG fighters conducted intercept missions against Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-52s.

The intercept exercises proved to be invaluable for the Hawaii crews, particularly in view of HANG’s role in the around-the-clock air defense of the islands.

Col. Ritchie Kunichika, the 154th’s deputy operations commander, was enthusiastic about the Guam exercises.

“Since we trained on Guam last year, the bomber crews had really sharpened up their procedure and fighter defense maneuvers, so we had a more challenging scenario during our engagement,” he said.

“We had more fun doing it and the B-52 crews told us they felt the same way about it … it was an exciting week of flying and we all got a lot out of it.”

The HANG unit was praised by the SAC commanders. Their sentiments were best summed up by Col. Robert Mock, deputy director of SAC air defense operations in the Western Pacific.

Said Mock, “The effort put forth by the men and women of the Hawaii Air National Guard has been terrific.

“The cooperation between the HANG F-4 crews and the SAC B-52 crews was impressive, and I’m told both sides got some excellent training … as far as the I 3th Air Force is concerned … the deployment was outstanding.”

From there it was on to Misawa Air Base in Japan, located 400 miles north of Tokyo, for the joint exercises entitled Cope North.

Upon arrival, the HANG members were warmly welcomed by the commanders and troops of the Japan Air Self Defense Force. The Hawaii unit reciprocated by holding a luau for the JASDF staff, featuring a special show of Hawaiian music and dance performed by HANG personnel.

The historic exercises involved HANG’s F-4s and ground controllers and Japanese F-1, F- l04J and F-4EJ fighters. This was the first time in history that a Hawaii reserve unit had trained and flown with a foreign air force on and above that air force’s territory.

Col. John Lee, 154th Composite Group commander, gave his evaluation of the initial training exercises.

“We had several excellent training engagements with the Japanese fighters. What’s great about flying with JASDF is the effectiveness of training sorties; flying our F-4s against dissimilar combat aircraft flown by Japanese aircrews off their own base is a great learning experience,” he stated.

HANG commander Brig. Gen. Arthur Ishimoto was especially pleased with the performance of the Air Guard.

“I’m really proud of our people,” he said. “The HANG pilots and weapon system officers turned in a terrific’ performance on Guam and they’ve done equally well in the sorties at Misawa.”

“The efforts by the ground troops have also been excellent. The HANG men and women working in radar control, maintenance, life support, medical services and administration were really outstanding,” said lshimoto.

lshimoto’s sentiments were echoed by Lt. Gen. Yahiko Kanki, commander of JASDF’s Northern Air Defense Force. Said Kanki, “It is our great pleasure to be the first (foreign air force) to fly with the Hawaii Air National Guard … I know that the Air National Guard has a reputation for high professionalism and morale.”

Kanki thanked the HANG personnel for bringing a taste of Hawaii to Misawa and expressed his gratitude to those who had planned the mission.

Kanki said: “I am sure that this friendship will never be broken and cooperation will become stronger.”

The deployment was the latest this year in a series of noteworthy accomplishments by the 154th Composite Group.

Earlier this year, the group received the Air Force outstanding unit award which was presented by the Pacific Air Forces commander, Lt. Gen. James Hughes.

The group recently received an Air Force safety award and was the Air National Guard’s nominee in the Hughes Trophy competition which recognizes the best Air Force fighter groups worldwide.

– 1980 September Pūpūkahi pp. 1 & 6

1981 July and August

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s annual training session took place during July and August 1981 and large numbers of troops and equipment were moved between the islands. The 29th Infantry Brigade, cavalry troop, engineer company and transportation company trained at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii. An engineer detachment was sent to the Keaukaha Military Reservation to perform site improvement projects. All other service support units trained at Schofield Barracks.

Under the roundout program agreement, Army Guard roundout units were placed under the operational control of the 25th Infantry Division. This association created a command environment which closely resembled an actual mobilization.

One of the highlights of annual training for the 29th Brigade was a 48-hour combined arms field training exercise controlled by the Brigade staff. For the period of annual training, the U.S. Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, was placed under operational control of the 29th Infantry Brigade. Under roundout, the 100th battalion would become a unit of the 29th Infantry Brigade and the 25th Infantry Division.

Men and women Guard members of the Headquarters Installation Command successfully performed their annual training at Schofield Barracks’ Area “X” during August. The units provided logistical support to all Army Guard units while training alongside troops of the 25th Infantry Division. More than 100 members of the 292nd Supply and Service Company performed their annual training in Seoul, Korea, during June. The unit received an outstanding evaluation from the U.S. Army.

– 1982 Annual Report pp. 7

The three units of the Hawaii Air National Guard conducted year-round training operations at home and overseas. For the 154th Composite Group and its affiliate units, training centered around increasing their combat skills like air-to-air combat training and radar intercepts against Hawaii-based Marine Corps and Navy fighter units and other Air National Guard and reserve units from the mainland. The training was greatly enhanced by participation in Red Flag, Team Spirit, Opportune Journey, Project Alps, and RimPac exercises.

The 201st Combat Communications Group increased training emphasis on mobility training, including weapons qualification, vehicle licensing, aircraft loading procedures, and many other areas of combat field training. Much of the mobility training took place under actual field conditions with the 201st’s participation in the Team Spirit exercise.

The 199th Weather Flight continued its proficiency training by providing technical meteorological support in addition to operating in an Army tactical environment. The tactical training involved learning to operate a variety of Army vehicles, convoy procedures, setting-up a field operations with camouflaging and site defense, etc.

– 1982 Annual Report pp. 11

Chilly training for 201st

A trip to Korea in winter? Is this the new getaway craze to compete with the Las Vegas junket?

Korea is where all the training pays off for the members of the 201st Combat Communications Group, Hawaii Air National Guard.

For the sixth consecutive year, Hawaii Guard members packed their bags and participated in Team Spirit ’81.

The annual field training exercise was directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sponsored by the Commander in Chief Pacific, and conducted by the United Nations Combined Forces Commands.

Team Spirit is designed to test the deployment 9f U.S. forces, train U.S. and Korean air, army, and naval forces in combined military operations, and improve the defense posture of the Republic of Korea.

The Hawaii Air Guard’s participation in Team Spirit ’81 consisted of providing tactical communications at a “bare base” on the southern tip of Korea.

“Bare base”is meant literally, in that a military force moves into an operating location with everything to sustain a military operation. A tent city was built to house the troops. The city included a dining hall, tactical hospital, and quarters for administration, post office, security police, chapel, and assorted sub-units.

One of the major residents of tent city and an essential support function was the combat communications operation. This year, the majority of the Hawaii Guard members came from Hilo and the 201st Combat Communications Squadron. Additional members came from the 202nd Combat Communications Flight, Oahu; 201st Air Traffic Control Flight, Kona; 201st Combat Communications Flight, Maui; and the 202nd Air Traffic Control Flight, Kauai.

According to Lt. Col. David F. Howard, deployment commander and head of the Hilo unit, “Tactical communications is a lot of hard work by people who know what they are doing, and who do it.”

The tactical communications consisted of inter- and intra-base telephones, message or record communications, and radio communications.

This year, equipment was sealifted and airlifted early in February, and an advance party was in Korea to transport the equipment and complete the groundwork. The main party of the unit arrived in March and immediately installed cables and phones, connected the communications lines, raised the antennae, and checked the tuned the equipment.

In a matter of days, the military operation had communications with all of Korea and the world 24 hours a day.

In spite of the cold and spartan living conditions, the Hawaii Guard members managed to transport some Hawaiian aloha to their temporary homes. Visitors walking through tent city noticed the Hawaii Air Guard tents, each with signs reading Hale O Kuuipo, The Bus Stop, Aloha Hawaii, and so on.

In front of the message distribution center, a replica of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau sign read, “201 Comm. Sq., Hilo.” General James D Hughes, commander-in-chief of the Pacific Air Forces, quickly noticed the sign, went in for a drink of water, chatted about Hawaii, and left saying, “See you in Hawaii.”

Evaluation teams inspected the Hawaii Guard’s ability to ensure uninterrupted communication by simulating outages.

The practice sessions were no problem to the Hawaii Guardmembers as service to the flying units continued without interruption. Maj. Hal Trainer, an evaluator, remarked, “The communications unit did an outstanding job during the evaluation and the evidence was some flash messages handled without any delays.”

Air traffic controllers from Kauai and Hilo also provided technical assistance to their Korean counterparts.

The spirit of teamwork was truly evident in the control tower. Despite the language barrier, Korean controllers were proficient in control procedures and displayed a hardworking, conscientious attitude.

Tech. Sgt. Rudy Acain said, “I thoroughly enjoy working with the Koreans … it is not only training for them, but tremendous training for me.”

Despite all the hard work in providing communications, there was some deserved time off. Social activities include a Korean dance show, a friendship party for the officers, and informal activities with Korean counterparts.

Team Spirit ’81 was a tremendous success for all the participants. The HANG communications personnel gained actual experience in performing their Air Force tasks. Team spirit was evident in working with other units and the Korean Air Force.

Tent city is gone and the equipment and people recovered, but the memories of Team Spirit ’81 will not be forgotten.

Capt. Dick Shimomura
201st Combat Communications Group

– 1981 Summer Pūpūkahi pp. 1&6

Annual training In Orient

117th hits Korea with publicity blitz

Annual training for 14 members of Hawaii’s 117th Public Affairs Detachment came early this year when they had the opportunity to participate in Team Spirit ’81 in March.

It was the first time the I 17th PAD, which was formed in 1960, participated in an overseas deployment. Commander is Capt. Gail K. Oura.

For the Hawaii soldiers, the Republic of Korea deployment provided a unique challenge, not only because the citizensoldiers were not accustomed to the cold temperatures, but because it gave them the chance to work alongside members of other active duty military services.

The 117th PAD worked as part of the Combined / Joint Information Bureau in Seoul to provide the much-needed media coverage of the Team Spirit ’81 exercise.

Public affairs personnel from all segments of the armed forces supported the combined Forces Command public affairs office headquartered at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan. According to Navy Lt. R.J. Skinner, deputy director of the bureau, “The main objectives of the joint information bureau were to support the needs, priority, and public affairs mission of Team Spirit ’81, and to coordinate and control media requirements, as well as provide historical documentation of the exercise.”

The bureau operated from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. seven days a week. It functioned as a clearinghouse for all news releases and a media briefing center. Representatives from various Korean and Japanese publications and broadcast outlets made daily visits to the bureau to pick up news releases and photos.

Amidst the clatter of typewriters, ringing of telephones, and chatter of the various media representatives asking for more information, the Hawaii detachment efficiently manned the bureau office.

Photojournalists and broadcasters of the 117th were organized into smaller news teams and dispatched to cover field training exercises, Navy sea manuevers, and Air Force activities.

Capt. Gregg Kakesako, Spec. 5 Dennis Fujii, Spec. 5 Wayne Miyata, and Spec. 5 Francine Tobalado journeyed south to Osan Air Base to photograph and cover exercises by military security police units who came from Hickam and other Pacific air bases.

Another team of Hawaii Guard members which included Capt. Michael Nii, Sgt. 1st Class Kin Lo, Spec. 5 John Atkinson, and Spec. 4 Curtis Matsushige ventured out into the shivering Korean cold to cover tactical field exercises of the Combined Field Army headquarters and the 25th Division.

Media representatives were escorted by yet another 117th PAD team, consisting of Capt. William Bowles and Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Iha, to watch a simulated amphibious landing exercise by the Third Marine Amphibious Force on the coastal shores at Pohang.

Besides providing journalistic coverage, the Guard members also manned a photo lab where they developed and printed an abundance of incoming film from all the various military forces. Photo lab technician Staff Sgt. Lloyd Kurashima, Spec. 5 Steven Lum, and Pfc. Wayne Porter unceasingly provided the finished prints needed for outgoing news releases.

Team Spirit ’81 presented some unique challenges for public affairs, but the thorough planning by the Combined Forces Command Public Affairs Office served to resolve any problems as they arose, Oura said.

For the Army National Guard members from Hawaii, their contributions to the Combined /Joint Information Bureau proved that the “total force” is working and that National Guard units can step into any public affairs operations and contribute to the total force of the United States.

Other members of the Hawaii Army National Guard who bundled up against the bitter Korean cold to augment the U.S. Army’s 25th Division in Team Spirit ’81 were:

Maj. Earl M. Nakashima, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry; Maj. John K. Hao, Capt. Wayne I. Oride, Platoon Sgt. Alfred Ganigan Jr., and Staff Sgt. Benjamin P. Solomon, all of the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery; Spec. 5 Lawrence D. Perreira, Spec. 4 Gordon A. Caminos, Spec. 4 Elroy A. Dumlao, Spec. 4 Salamau Faaitiiti, Spec. 4 Kevin T. Iwasaki, Spec. 4 Ross S. Iwasaki, and Pvt. 2 Timothy W. Kauhane of the 292nd Supply and Service Company; and Capt. Frederick K. Robello, 1st Lt. Gregory L. Burgess, Sgt. Frank Caitano Jr., of Command and Control Headquarters.

Spec. S Francine Tobalado
I 17th Public Affairs Detachment

– 1981 Summer Pūpūkahi pp. 3

29th Brigade returning to Pohakuloa

A massive movement of more then 190 members of the Hawaii Army National Guard, along with equipment to Big Island highlights annual training this summer.

Annual Training 1981 begins on July 25 with elements of Troop E, 19th Cavalry, Command and Control Headquarters, 227th Engineering Company, and the 1154th Transportation Company deploying to Pohakuloa Training Area for two weeks of intensive activity.

The bulk of the HARNG troops begin arriving on August 8 as the 29th Brigade involves itself in maneuvers at PT A. In addition, the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery will be operating at PT A under the control of the 25th Infantry Division Artillery.

The 298th Engineering Detachment will be on the Big Island, but not at PTA. The detachment will be under-going an AR TEP at Keaukaha Military Reservation.

The remaining HARNG units will be doing their training at Schofield Barracks. They include: the Headquarters Installation Command, Hawaii Military Academy, the 159th Service Battalion, and the 297th Support and Service Battalion.

The 117th Public Affairs Detachment already completed their annual training in Korea at Team Spirit in March.

– 1981 Summer Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Annual Training 81′

Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers Train From Dusty Pohakuloa to Rainy Schofield

117th Public Affairs
-Photos by Capt. Gregg K. Kakesako,
Sgt. 1st Class Kin Lo
Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Iha

For the first time since 1975, more than 1,600 soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard, were flown to the Big Island to train at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) during annual training ’81.

Pohakuloa, located 6,000 feet above sea level on the slopes of Mauna Kea, is noted for its rugged terrain and varying weather conditions. The cold nights, hot days, dust, and wind, were true tests of the ruggedness of the HARNG soldier.

The 29th Brigade, this year was given the opportunity to conduct realistic combat training. Supported by guardsmen of the 1 / 487th Field Artillery, the Brigade was able to call in live artillery fire as they moved toward their”enemy” objectives.

A new training device called Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) was introduced to the infantry guardsmen for the first time at PT A this year. MILES is a training system that simulates the effects of direct-fire weapons at their operational ranges. MILES provides the capability for a two-sided, real-time tactical engagement at unit sizes up to battalion and for realistic casualty assessments.

Firing the weapon simulators is much like firing the actual weapons. However, instead of firing live ammunition, these simulators transmit harmless laser beams. To allow the simulation to be as real as possible, the rifle and machineguns use blank ammunition, and the missiles and main guns use weapons effect simulators to simulate the noise, blast, and smoke of the actual weapons.

The Brigade also conducted a Field Training Exercise that pitted them against a simulated reinforced Soviet infantry regiment. The Soviet agresser force was comprised of 25th Infantry Division soldiers.

Individual commanders in the field actually had to move their men eight miles, walking through the rugged lava terrain. Guard units were evaluated as to how well they reached their objective and their skill in encountering the “enemy” soldiers.

Training exercises ended in a combined live fire exercise. This exercise gave the guardsmen the opportunity to fire live ammunition from their assigned weapons toward simulated enemy targets.

The Brigade ended its training with a special Admissions Day parade attended by Gov. George R. Ariyoshi; Maj. Gen. Valentine A. Siefermann, state adjutant general; Maj. Gen. Alexander Weyand, 25th Division commander; and Brig. Gen. Alexis Lum, Hawaii Army National Guard Commander.

After being honored by a 19-gun salute, Ariyoshi reviewed the troops and presented medals to nearly two dozen guardsmen.

Additionally, nearly 1,000 Army Guard soldiers from the Headquarters Installation Command (HIC) on Oahu operated at Schofield Barracks. Units from the Installation Command also supported the Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade on the Big Island with transportation, engineering, vehicle maintenance and laundry services.

Soldiers of the 159th Service Battalion conducted Nuclear, Biological and Chemical training. Citizen soldiers of the 291st Maintenance Company underwent their Level I Army Testing Evaluation Program during their two weeks at Schofield Barracks.

Guard soldiers from the 297th Supply and Service Battalion, members of the 227th Engineer Company, and aviators from Troop E, 19th (Air) Calvalry conducted their 15-days annual training on the Big Island.

-Sgt. 1st Class Kin Lo

– 1981 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 4-5

Helicopter Mishaps Cause Damage; Minor Injuries

Two accidents involving Hawaii Army National Guard helicopters resulted in only minor injuries to one Guardsman. Both aircraft, however sustained substantial damage.

Capt. Michael Kincaid received minor head and knee injuries on June 10 when the UH-I helicopter he was piloting turned over on its right side during pre-flight checks at Kahului Airport, Maui. The copilot, Chief Warrant Officer Richard lnderrieden was not injured.

On Aug. 14, nine Guardsmen escaped injury when they were forced to make an emergency landing four miles above Akaka Falls on the Big Island after their UH-I Huey’s engine failed. Capt. Victor Chun was credited by HARNG aviation officers with “doing a good job” in bringing the helicopter down. The helicopter was on a routine annual training mission at the time.

– 1981 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 3

298th Engineers “Superior’ Engineers Capture HARNG Award

The 298th Engineer Detachment recently received the Army National Guard Superior Unit Award. The award was presented to Capt. Richard E. McCabe, commanding officer, by Gen. Alexis T. Lum, commander, Hawaii Army National Guard.

The selection came after the engineers attained overall rating of “superior” during training year 1980 in several areas: maintaining a monthly average assigned strength of95 percent throughout the year; having 95 percent of the assigned strength MOS qualified; maintaining a monthly average attendance of 93 percent assigned strength, to include annual training; achieving a training readiness condition rating not lower than C-2 and attaining an overall rating of satisfactory during an annual general inspection.

Speaking of the award, Lum said, “It has been several years since any HARNG unit was selected for meeting all the prerequisites worthy of this award. It is hoped that this will motivate our other units to strive and improve their performance so they can qualify for selection next year.”

Lum added, “It is indicative of the hard work and resourcefulness of the detachment’s officers and NCO’s which made this possible.” He also expressed his appreciation for a job well done.

– 1981 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 5

1982 July and August

The Hawaii Army National Guard conducted annual training during July and August 1982. The 29th Infantry Brigade, the 1154^th Transportation Company, and the 1293rd Aviation Company (Combat Support) trained at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii.

Under the Roundout Program, Army Guard roundout units were placed under the operational control of the 25th Infantry Division. The U.S. Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, was placed under the operational control of the 29th Infantry Brigade. Under present roundout plans, the 100th Battalion becomes a unit of the 29th Infantry Brigade. This association, which closely resembled an actual mobilization, created a command environment beneficial to training.

The highlight of annual training for the 29th Infantry Brigade was a 48-hour combined arms field training exercise controlled by the brigade’s staff. During August, units of the Headquarters Installation Command successfully performed annual training al Schofield Barracks’ Area X.

Participating units provided logistical support to all Army Guard units training with troops of the 25th Infantry Division. The following Army Guard units performed their annual training outside the Stale: The 298th Engineer Detachment was sent to Guam in July 10 perform site improvement projects for the Guam National Guard. The 297th Supply and Service Battalion participated in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise in Belgium during September. The Battalion supported active Army units deployed from the United Stales to Europe. More than 100 members of the 227th Engineer Company performed their annual training at Camp Casey, Korea, as pan of the United States Army Western Command overseas deployment training.

– 1983 Annual Report pp. 7-8

Hawaii Air National Guard units conducted extensive training operations locally and overseas. The 154th Composite Group successfully increased its overall skill qualification rate. To increase the skill level of its members, the Group expanded and intensified its effort to create training opportunities to develop new skills and reinforce skills already acquired. Well-defined and executed exercises such as Opportune Journey, Cope Canine, Sentry Tiger and Team Spirit 83 provided excellent environments for the development of individual skills, coherence in Group operations and organizational effectiveness. The development of skills and the proficiency of its application are significant

– 1983 Annual Report pp. 12

AT’82:

Each year, soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii’s citizen soldiers, depart from their normal civilian life styles and jobs, transforming themselves, for two weeks, into Hawaii’s militia.

Clad in fatigues and the U.S. Army’s new Battle Dress Uniform, Hawaii’s citizen soldiers take up M-16s and other equipment to sharpen their military skills.

In all, 3,372 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers trained on Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii and exotic foreign countries around the world to fulfill their 15 days of annual military training this year.

Several events occurred in 1982 for the first time during the Army Guard’s annual training.

Gov. George R. Ariyoshi, commander-in-chief of the Hawaii National Guard, made his first visit to the Pohakuloa Training to meet with and observe the Army Guard artillery and infantry soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade training on the Big Island. Last year, Ariyoshi reviewed the troops at General Lyman Field on the Big Island during a Governor’s Day Parade.

Landing at Pohakuloa’s Bradshaw Army Airfield, Ariyoshi spent the entire day with the soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 299th Infantry and the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery.

Despite the hard training the artillery and infantry soldiers were undergoing on the dusty and rocky fields at Pohakuloa, Ariyoshi, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Arthur U. Ishimoto, state adjutant general; and Brig.Gen Alex Lum, commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, met with many of the Army Guard soldiers during a hectic and busy day on the Big Island. Ariyoshi also visited with the soldiers of the Headquarters Installation Command, the Army Guard’s other major command, during their encampment at Tent city in Schofield Barracks.

This year was also the first Army Guard encampment for General Ishimoto since his appointment state adjutant general in February prior to his appointment, General Ishimoto served as the commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard.

‘Tm. very pleased to receive reports,” remarked Ishimoto, “from U.S. Army evaluators citing that the Hawaii Army National Guard training is proceeding very favorably with high morale. Training of the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery was singled out as being the ‘best ever’, to date.”

Gov. George R. Ariyoshi signed a proclamation declaring August as Hawaii National Guard and Reserve Employer Appreciation Month.

In signing the proclamation Ariyoshi thanked the employers of Hawaii for their support of workers who are members of the various reserve services. Ariyoshi also noted the importance of the Guard and Reserves to the health, safety and welfare of Hawaii and the nation.

On hand for the proclamation signing were several Guard and Reserve commanders. Among them were General Arthur U. Ishimito, adjutant general for Hawaii; General Alexis T. Lum, commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard; and Col. Edward V. Richardson, commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Also at the State Capitol for the ceremony was Mr. Jack Baker, chairman of the Hawaii Committee for Employer Support of Guard and Reserve.

Similar proclamations by all the county mayors were also signed.

Many of the 3,500 men and women of the Hawaii Army National Guard conducted their two weeks of annual training during August.

General Ishimoto expressed his thanks to Hawaii’s employers who support their citizen-soldier employees. He thanked the employers for their patriotic cooperation in facilitating participation of their eligible employees in all the Guard and Reserve programs in Hawaii.

– 1982 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 6

HARNG Troop E ‘Blues’ Train to Infiltrate Enemy

An airmobile assault was conducted recently by members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Troop E, (Air) 19th Cavalry as part of annual training.

The exercise began when scout helicopters patrolling the area attracted simulated enemy ground fire. The unit’s Cobra AH-IG attack helicopters simulated strafing the area. Then the elite .. Blues,” an air assault team, infiltrated the enemy territory by rappelling from U H-1 H ‘Huey’ Helicopters, capturing prisoners and establishing a landing zone for more troops.

The exercise scenerio is typical for this highly trained air assault team. Their mission is reconnaissance and security. The “Blues” arc trained to infiltrate enemy targets and, working with helicopters, to secure an area, sometimes in the middle of the night.

These rapid deployment missions are quite strenous, and risky even without live ammo, so the men in the unit must be a highly trained, specially-selected group in the Hawaii Army National Guard,” said Capt. Gary Hara, of Aiea, who is operations officer for Troop E, 19th Cavalry.

The “Blues” are qualified to direct aircraft into an area without radio contact, to sling load heavy equipment onto aircraft using cables, to perform night ambushes, and to drive equipment at night without lights using special night vision equipment.

Attached to the unit is a helicopter scout platoon with 10 OH-58 observation helicopters, seven ‘Huey’ UH-I helicopters V which are equipped to move food, men and equipment. Nine AH-I G Cobra attack gunships also provide air support for the Troop E soldiers.

The .. Blues” moved l07 personnel, 13 aircraft, I I vehicles from one area to another, all under complete radio silence.

“The whole mission centers around the ‘Blues’,” said Capt. Hara. ‘Blues’ is the code given to reconnaissance units by fighting troops in Vietnam. These 38 scouts, all enlisted men, work in four squads. They are specially trained in night ambushes, rappelling, security, night patrols and performing special missions.

“And they are highly motivated,” said Capt. Cliff Flores, gun platoon leader. “They can’t wait to get into a helicopter to rappel.”

“We screen everyone prior to entry,” said Hara. “If he’s not interested in the rigorous activity, he doesn’t get in.”

Hara said that a typical training day for the .. Blues” starts at 4 am. “We had one mission that began at 5:30 pm and lasted until 2:30 the following morning. I would imagine that most of the members in the unit got an average of about 10 hours of sleep in the last three days.”

SSgt. Kenneth Narvaez is one member of the .. Blues” who joined after being a combat engineer for three years. He has been in the unit as a scout for seven years.

“I like the challenge and the responsibility,” said Narvaez. “When the division needs a push, they ask Air Cavalry to move. Pilot recovery, reconnaissance, infiltration we can handle it.”

-By Capt. Bud Bowles
117th PAD

– 1982 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 4

1983 July and August

The Hawaii Army National Guard conducted annual training during July and August 1983. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Brigade; 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry; and 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry trained at Schofield Barracks, East Range and Kahuku Training Area on the island of Oahu. The 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, trained at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island
of Hawaii.

Under the roundout program, Army Guard roundout units were placed under the operational control of the 25th Infantry Division. The U.S. Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, was placed under the operational control of the 29th Infantry Brigade. Under roundout, the 100th Battalion would become a unit of the 25th Infantry Division. This association created a command environment that closely resembled an actual mobilization.

The highlight of annual training for the 29th Infantry Brigade was a 48­ hour field training exercise for each of the infantry battalions controlled by the Brigade’s staff.

Headquarters Installation Command units successfully completed annual training at Schofield
Barracks’ Area X during August. These units provided logistical support for all Army Guard units while training with troops of the 25th Infantry Division. These units from the Army Guard performed their annual training outside the State. In September 1983, members of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, performed their annual training at Fort Lewis, Washington. The 291st Maintenance Company
performed its annual training at Camp Humphreys, Korea, as part of the U.S. Army Western Command overseas deployment training.

– 1984 Annual Report pp. 9

Hawaii Air National Guard units conducted extensive training operations locally and overseas.

In anticipation of an operational readiness inspection and management effectiveness inspection, the 154th Composite Group emphasized individual and sectional training to assure full mission capability. As in previous fiscal years, training resources were carefully managed to ensure maximum utilization of available funds for both unit training assemblies and annual training period. Aircrews participated in
numerous planned missions of differing scenarios and utilized diverse tactics in sharpening their combat
skills. Such training involved air-to-air combat training in Commando Dolphin, gun firing at the U .S. Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe, Opportune Journey, Sentry Tigre, Cope Road, Sentry Aloha, and joint nation exercises.

The 201st Combat Communications Group continued to work towards increased readiness and performance reliability. Locally, the units have conducted initial response exercises, on base systems training, and field deployments. During these field deployments, units have set up communications links with Defense Communications System stations at Clark Air Base in the Philippines and a U.S. Navy communications station in Stockton, California. Unit personnel deployed overseas to Team Spirit 84
and Exercise Balikatan and gained valuable experience under actual field conditions.

The 199th Weather Flight conducted year round training at the Wheeler Air Force Base Weather Station. Under the total force policy. the 199th Weather Flight performed actual in-station duties normally assigned to an active duty unit of the Air Weather Service. Annual field training was also
performed at Wheeler Air Force Base when the (light assumed the complete operations of the weather station providing meteorological support to active duty Army and Air Force units assigned or transiting the base. Training under this total force policy allowed the 199th Weather Flight to become fully qualified to perform its mobilization mission while alleviating manpower shortages of the active duty weather force.

– 1984 Annual Report pp. 13

AT ’83 Two weeks of intensive training pays off for Army Guard citizen soldiers

By Staff Sgt. Dennis Fujii
117th Public Affairs Det.

Assaulted by bellowing voices, clanging of metal, roaring engines and the ever familiar command, “FALL IN”, the quiet of one Saturday’s early morning, recently came to an abrupt halt.

While Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers in Hilo and other Guard armories around the Big Island of Hawaii prepared for their deployment to Schofield Barracks, Army Guard soldiers on Oahu started their movement to Schofield Barracks and the Big Island’s Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA).

Arriving from the Big Island on board Wyoming Air National Guard C-130’s, Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers began two weeks of intense annual Army Schofield Barracks training.

From 23 July to 6 August, more than 2,300 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers spent Annual Training 1983 (AT ’83) sharpening their soldiering skills at Schofield Barracks and other Army training areas around the state.

Hawaii’s citizen soldiers, consisting of full-time businesspersons, college students, government employees or plantation workers, donned their steel pots and familiar Army Green fatigues or Camouflage Battle Dress Uniform (BOU) for 15 days.

From the “Hiki No” artillery gunners of the 1/ 487th FA firing their I 05mm howitzers at PTA, to the air lifting of combat engineers of the 227th Engineer Company from Kahuku’s Puu Kapu ot Makua Valley for demolition training, Army training to enhance the Guard’s soldiering skills was emphasized throughout AT ’83.

Whether the Army Guard’s soldiers from the 29th Infantry Brigacfe and Headquarters Installation Command were operating from Tent City in Area X or in the Kahuku hills, or the dusty plains and cinder cones of PTA, Hawaii’s citizen soldiers often-times found themselves working side-by-side with their 25th Infantry Division counterparts.

“Without the cooperation and support of the 25th Infantry Division, annual training for our Army -Guard soldiers would be extremely difficult,” said Col. Irwin Cockett. commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

“However, Maj. Gen (William H.) Schneider, his staff and commanders provided the Hawaii Army National Guard with expertise and guidance whenever needed,” concluded Cocket 1.

Under the Roundout Program, for many of the Army Guard soldiers working with their sister unit is common. Many commanders and senior NCO’s from the Guard and the 25th Infantry Division work together during the Guard’s drill weekends. Thus, working together during AT ’83 posed no difficulty. Indeed, if one did not notice the different shoulder patches, the soldiers appear to belong to the same unit.

From river crossings to M-60 door gunnery firing from the U H-1 H “Huey”to level one ARTEP evaluations, this annual training posed many challenges. Challenges which soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard successfully met.

After completion of their two weeks of intensive Army training, Hawaii’s citizen soldiers returned to their civilian occupations and life styles, Aug. 6.

– 1983 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

1st Bn. trains in Washington

By Capt. Bud Bowles
HI-STARC PAO

More than 600 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers from Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Molokai are still talking about an experience they’ll long remember.

In September, the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion was sent to Ft. Lewis, Washington, for their two-week annual training.

“For the first time in years we got into terrain completely unfamiliar to us. The ranges at Ft. Lewis gave us a chance to do things we had never done before, such as a river crossing.” ‘

“It gave us a chance to train on advanced simulator equipment and to participate in advanced urban warfare training using an authentic-looking Bavarian village,” Maj. Edward Cruickshank, 1st Battalion commander, said.

The soldiers ranked training and live-fire exercise at Regenburg right up there with their weekend trip into Canada.

Regenburg is a mock village complete with two story buildings, a town square, a church, and a courtyard. Hawaii Guard soldiers were taught how to secure buildings using hand grenades and smoke bombs.

A special building at Regenburg, called “the Tire House,” gave the men even more authenticity- a chance to secure the structure using live ammunition with weapons on automatic fire. For most of the men, it was a first experience.

“I love the training,” said Sgt. ,Silas Webster Keanini, Co. C., 2nd Platoon from Molokai. “There’s nothing in Hawaii like the excitement and realism of “the Tire House” at Fort Lewis.”

A river crossing exercise was also an unforgettable experience, particularly for those who got themselves wet from the 32 degree water of the Nisqually River. The Hawaii soldiers were taught to traverse a rope tied to trees on each side of the river.

While on guard duty, Pvt. 2 Benny Pacheco, of Waihee, Maui, saw a black bear “smelling around the fence” at the ammunition point. Pacheco verbally chased it off with shouts and threats.

The weather, however, was somewhat of an adjustment. Hawaii’s guard soldiers are accustomed to tropical temperatures ranging from 75-90 degrees year round and, though it rains, it is sunny there at least part of the day. So, their first wet morning at 40 degrees in unheated barracks was a real shocker.

But, as Sgt. Gordon K. Doo from Company B told a radio station calling him from his home island of Kauai, “While it is soooo cold here, the training is good and as long as we get our rice and the local food we brought, we’re happy.”

– 1983 Winter Pūpūkahi pp. 1

1984

Team Spirit ’84

By 2nd Lt. Curtis Matsushige

More than 250 members of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard will be involved in two weeks of rigorous annual training in Korea during the months of March and April.

In Korea, the guardsmen will be involved in exercises with American ground, Naval, Air, and Marine forces that are currently stationed there and with the Republic of Korea Army Forces. The Hawaiian Guardsmen will also be training with guardsmen from other states.

Team Spirit is a combined joint exercise planned to improve combat readiness and as the name indicates. to transform the American and Korean military forces into a single force that can effectively and efficiently operate together.

Special operations during the exercise will involve the Hawaii Guardsmen in rapid deployment out of country, reception into a foreign base of operation, using equipment and personnel in realistic training environment, staging senarios to respond to possible contingencies in the Korean theater, and aid in the refinement of the Department of Defense’s Air-Land Doctrine.

This is the ninth Team Spirit to be conducted in Korea since June of 1976 and is evidence of our president’s pledge to maintain and strengthen the forces of the United States in Korea.

According to First Sergeant Edger W. Alexander of the 291st Maintenance Company, Heavy Equipment, about 48 of the 130 soldiers fo the Hawaii Army National Guard participating in this year’s Team Spirit in Korea will be returning to the country.

In Korea, the 291st will hook up with the 520th Maintenance Company of the 194th Battalion in Camp Humphrey in South Korea. Unlike in ’79 when the 291st worked in a depot setting in Camp Carroll, the company will service equipment that is earmarked for specific units in Korea and most likely be used in actual team Spirit exercises.

The men of the 291 st will be taking their personnel tool boxes but will otherwise rely on the 520th for the bulk of the equipment needed to make repairs.

First Sgt. Alexander said that the highlight of the trip will probably be the off weekend. Many of the soldiers may bus the hour and a half to Seoul to go shopping and take advantage of the bargain goods that are sold in Korea.

The Maintenance Company will depart for Korea on April 14 with a tentative return date of April 28th and be flying on commercial transportation.

Special

This Korea deployment will mark First Sergeant Edger W. Alexander’s last annual training with the Hawaii Army National Guard. When he retires in January 1985 he will have completed more than 41 years of service with the military and federal government.

The 201st Combat Communications Group of the Hawaii Air National Guard will send approximately 170 men and women to Korea to participate in Team Spirit ’84.

An advance party of telephone installers, reception cadre, and motorpool personnel has already been sent ahead of the main group to ready the areas of operation. Much of the more than 300 tons of equipment to be used by the 201st will be military sea lifted prior to the actual deployment of personnel.

The Hawaii Air National Guard will provide telephone service. radio communications. air traffic control, and train on Hi-tech electronic air defense equipment during their annual training in Korea.

Units participating in the deployment include the Air Guards Headquarters of the 201st Combat Communications Group with additional men and women from units in Hilo, Maui, and Kauai.

The main body of 102 Air Guard personnel arc scheduled for departure from Hickam Air Force Base on March 11 via Military Airlift Command (MAC) Chartered B-747 aircraft and return March 30th on MAC Chartered B-747 aircraft.

This is the eighth consecutive year that the Air Guard has participated in Team Spirit. They originally began with a small contingency in 1977 and has grown to its present involvement in the Korean deployment.

– 1984 First Quarter Pūpūkahi pp. 3

ARMY GUARD BACK FROM KOREA

Photo and Story by Capt. Bud Bowles

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s 291st Heavy Maintenance Company returned to Hawaii April 28 after completing their two weeks of annual training with the regular Army in Korea during Team Spirit ’84

The 123 men and 5 women trained with members of the regular Army’s 520th Maintenance Company at Camp Humphreys, 60 miles south of Seoul.

The unit was given an overall AT performance rating of #1, the highest rating given in the Army evaluation system for annual training performance.

Comments from the evaluators were positive, although the living conditions took some adjusting.

“I’ll never complain about Schofield Barracks again,” said Spec 4 Michael Silva as he finished looking over the living area for the Company. Silva is a full-time machinist at Pearl Harbor who lives with his parents in Kaneohe. His father is Col. Gerald Silva, Chief of Staff for the Hawaii Army National Guard.

The command post exercise are (CPX) was in a remote wooded section surrounded by rice paddies and was several miles from Camp Humphreys.

The members of the unit lived in seven uninsulated corrugated metal buildings built on concrete slabs. They slept in sleeping bags on beds with plywood board for spring mattresses. Both the latrines and the shower were located at the top of a hill overlooking the sleeping facilities, at least 300 yards from each cabin. The combination of the temperatures, dropping into the 40’s at night, and the surroundings, provided a unique adjustment for the members who were used to tropical
temperatures – but they soon adapted – and their training showed it.

“I’m so proud of these people,” said the unit’s 1st Sgt., Edgar Alexander. “We fixed everything the Army gave us and then we taught ourselves.”

Alexander is a fulltime unit administrator for the 291st Maintenance Company, who will retire this January with over 38 years in the National Guard. He lives in Kahaluu.

One three-man team, led by Sgt. David Howard with Spec. 4 Rex Andrews and Spec 4 Jerry DeMello, repaired a 30 Kilowatt generator that had been in the shop for repair for 30 days. The team, from the mechanical maintenance engineering platoon, fixed it in four days.

“We taught ourselves a lot about how the system worked while we were trouble shooting it,” said Howard.

Howard is a full-time maintenance mechanic for Butler Aviation Hawaii, Inc. He lives in Aiea.

While in Korea, the unit completed 117 maintenance functions. They repaired jeeps, trucks, generators, and other equipment used by the Team Spirit Exercise recently completed.

One group of Hawaii National Guard soldier was chosen to write a plan for the Army to handle the 1,800 new trucks that would be unloaded, converted to Army specifications and shipped to appropriate units in South Korea. The plan was written in four days, and included both internal and external procedures.

The mechanical maintenance section fixed a water purification unit and 30 kilowatt and 100 kilowatt generators, removed an engine from a forklift, fixed brakes and wheels on a forklift, and performed preventive maintenance on heaters, compressors, and generators.

The component repair section completed 15 jobs, including overhauling electric starters, DC generators, hydraulic brakes and cylinders.

The arament section inspected three entire company armories and reported weapon discrepancies.

The technical supply section was briefed on the Army’s decentralized automated system.

The direct exchange section spent their time exchanging unserviceable batteries, cables, starters, and carburetors.

The automotive section completed 16 jobs including various work on engines, transmissions, clutches, differentials, injectors pumps, and miscellaneous parts on a variety of trucks, jeeps and other equipment. They also packed and shipped out the reserve equipment used during the exercise.

The welding shop and body and fender section built holding racks for video cable spools for Camp Humphreys. The training gave the Hawaii soldiers experience in torch cutting, welding, and squaring off metal.

The entire company completed 117 maintenance jobs during their two week training in South Korea.

– 1984 Second Quarter Pūpūkahi pp. 4

154th Composite USAF Clinic

Exercise provides unique experiences

As part of their Annual Training, 42 members of the 154th Composite USAF Clinic, Hawaii Air National Guard deployed to Clark AFB, Philippines in June.

“The 250 bed USAF Regional Medical Center at Clark AFB offered the members of the 154th good proficiency training and an opportunity to work in a new different environment with their active counterparts” said NCOIC MSgt. Tashiyuki Watabayashi.

MSgt. Watabayashi also said that this kind of training was most beneficial to the 154th clinic.

Their instruction included treatment of mass casualties, handling nuclear, biological, and chemical injuries, and hands on clinical work with rabies patients at the Regional Medical center. They also live fired small weapons as part of training.

Unit members did have time to tour Manila city and visit Camp John Hay; a beautiful inter-service recreation center in the mountains of Baguio City. Some of the unit members bought rattan articles and some of the locally woven cloths.

MSgt. Watabayashi said that the instruction was excellent and the medical environment and cases seen in the regional hospital could only be experienced on a deployment exercise.

The 154th hosted a pau hana cocktail party with pupus at the Top Hat NCO Club on base.

The unit was transported to Clark AFB via C-5A Galaxy aircraft in about 12 hours and returned home via Minnesota Air Guard C-130 which took about a day and a half with a night stop over in Guam. Next deployment?

– 1984 Third Quarter Pūpūkahi pp. 4

AT ’84 Two weeks of intensive Army training on Oahu and Big Island for HARNG soldiers

FORT RUGER. Hawaii (July 27. 1984) The highlight of the 1984 Hawaii Army National Guard annual training for the more than 2,700 citizen soldiers on active duty during these past two weeks was a visit by Lt. Gen. Emmel H. Walker Jr., Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Walker, head of the 409,238 Air and Army National Guard and it’s highest ranking member, was in the Islands July 21-26 getting a first-hand view of the intensive training undertaken by the 29th Infantry Brigade and the Headquarters Installation Command the two major elements of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Hawaii’s citizen soldiers began their 15 days of annual training July 14.

Hawaii Army Guard soldiers from Kauai’s Company A and Company B. Maui’s Company C and Headquarters Company, Molokai’s and Oahu’s Combat Support Company worked in the cold, dusty and barren lava terrain at cold, dusty, barren, lava terrain at Pohakuloa

The five companies are part of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, which has its headquarters in Wailuku, Maui.

The training began at 4:30 each morning for the infantry soldiers, extending sometimes as late as midnight.

Pohakuloa is located in the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes at 7,500 feet above sea level. The dust is almost unbearable, the rain cold, the lava rocks sharp and hard to sleep on. Beside the dry and dusty terrain. The soldiers faced mid-40 degree temperatures at night – a far cry from the tropical sun and surf weather generally experienced by Island soldiers.

A demanding schedule and having to endure such climatic changes could be a morale problem for some soldiers. But Maj. Ed Cruickshank 1st Battalion commander, said his soldiers don’t complain. “Everyone worked super hard.”

“These soldiers are a special breed,”

When asked what motivates them to stay in the Hawaii Army National Guard and return to Pohakuloa’s cruel environment annually, Cruickshank said: ”Pride a an individual, pride in belonging to a team, and pride in working together as a team to excel.

“These soldiers are something else, they are the best soldiers I could command.”

Also training at Pohakuloa were elements of the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery another part of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s “front-line” troops.

On Oahu, elements of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Headquarters Installation Command, which is the support element of the Island Guard, also undertook equally strenuous and exacting training under the watchful eyes of 25th Division evaluators.

In September, 570 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry which normally trains out of Hilo, will fly to Ft. Lewis in Washington state to complete their 15 days annual training.

– 1984 Third Quarter Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

New Army NBC course offered

For more than six drill periods, members of the Hawaii Army National Guard have attended Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological (NBC) Training at Schofield Barracks to qualify as 54 Echo NBC Specialists.

The soldiers graduating from the class will fulfill the army requirements for an NBC Specialist in each unit. Guardsmen from the neighbor islands were flown to Oahu for their training.

A highlight of the class was a 3 mile force march / run in which the soldiers were dressed in full Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) level 4 which mean rubber boots, rubber gloves, a charcoal permiated suit over their BDUs. An instructor dressed in the same MOPP suit led the run.

According to Master Sergeant Ono, unit administrator, this is the first class for guardsmen conducted outside Ft. McClellan, Alabama, the regular BC training center for the Army.

Master Sergeant Ono added that the group was very cohesive, working together well and being very supportive of each other.

The instructors for the NBC course were members of the 48th Chemical Detachment, 25th Infantry Division Schofield Barracks. The class began in April of this year and graduated on September 15th at the National Guard’s 29th Brigade Armory.

Captain Vandendolder said that the National Guardsmen did well and more than measured up to the standards of the active components. He was impressed by the fact during the 3 miles force march/ run no one fell out.

– 1984 Third Quarter Pūpūkahi pp. 7

2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry AT: Fort Lewis, Washington

By 2nd Lt. Curtis Matsushige

FORT LEWIS, Washington – It was cold and nothing like the tropical climate Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers were accustomed to, but they liked it.

The training was rough and demanding, but it was something that the more than 500 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, were used to.

Spec. 4 Benjamin Akana, of Company B normally stationed at Kealakekua on the Big Island, summed up annual training 1984 at Fort Lewis. Washington. this way: “It was right on!”

“It was a different atmosphere and terrain. We had to orient ourselves differently from Hawaii where we got the hills and puus (volcanic cones). Because the terrain was flat, we had to use trees and roads.”

“At Fort Lewis you had to use your navigation skills. And that cold weather- 30 degrees at times was something else.”

Maj. Paul Leahy, of the WESTCOM United States Army Readiness Group, said while observing the training: “It was worthwhile to the National Guard soldiers because the facilities at Fort Lewis are not available in Hawaii, such as the training simulation centers and the vast training areas.”

An example of Leahy’s statement is the Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training complex. In Regenburg, a mock Bavarian village in the MOUT, guardsmen in squad and platoon-sized units assaulted occupied buildings through windows and over walls under the scrutiny of active component instructors and evaluators from the active Army’s 25th Infantry Division.

The tirehouse in the MOUT complex is a structure with walls made of tires. Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers locked and loaded live ammo into their M 16 rifles and under strict supervision, a pair of men would move into the structure and spray the walls with hot lead, simulating an assault into a hostile, occupied structure.

At Fort Lewis, the men of the 2nd Bat talion also did not use conventional stand inline rifle ranges. After the firing line was cleared by an M60 machine gun, soldiers with live ammunition in their weapons moved up, closely supervised by range control officers.

A noncommissioned officer watching from a tower, controlled pop-up targets that presented themselves to the advancing soldiers, halting them unless they were shot down. Second Lt. Thomas A. Adarme, Company A platoon leader said, “This is not like live firing back home’. The men really enjoy this exercise.”

Not to be left out, the 81-millimeter mortar platoons also engaged in live fire assisted by members of the 487th fire support team (FIST) of Oahu. Overcoming early difficulties brought about by borrowing mortars from the Washington National Guard, the mortar platoons completed their required live fire. The men chorused the aiming coordinates radioed from the FIST spotters, set charges, and sent round after round towards the various targets, scoring hits.

With conventional means of battle being honed to precision, live fire of another kind went on in blackened, barn-sized buildings. In front of a large simulated battlefield, men on full-sized jeeps aimed ruby-red laser beams onto a screen simulating the fire of a Tubular Launched Optically Tracked Wire Guided Missile (TOW) electronically scrapping tanks and armored vehicles.

After a week of intensive squad, platoon, and company training, the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion took a break during the middle weekend, visiting Vancouver and other Pacific Northwest cities. They returned ready and primed for the battalion sized field training exercise (FTX) that followed.

On a cold, starry Monday morning, the operation orders were issued. Companies of men and equipment assembled and moved out in staggered tactical convoys meeting at a designated rallying point several kilometers away.

An active component evaluator from the 25th Division observing the battalion’s movement from a helicopter noted the professionalism in spacing movement, and the orderly dispersion of each company as they broke off the battalion train to their initial defensive positions. The recon patrols, invisible from the air, had signaled the companies and made their infiltration into their respective areas almost undetectable.

The morning had been in the low 30s. Although the day would warm into the upper 60s, the evening would bring back the near freezing temperatures and fog, which became the main aggressor on the 2nd Battalion, inhibiting movement and navigation.

Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, the Adjutant General of the State of Hawaii, visiting the troops in the field said, “The morale was high among the soldiers in spite of the cold temperatures and inhospitable weather.”

To and from the field and various training areas, the men and equipment were transported on vehicles driven by members of the 1154th Transportation Company of Oahu that were attached to the 2nd – Battalion.

In the field, the soldiers were trucked hot breakfast and dinners prepared in the barracks by the company’s mess unit. Staff Sgt. Rod Sakamoto, cook at the Headquarters mess facility said, “This is good training for the cooks. For the first time, most of the cooks were using modern garrison-type cooking equipment as opposed to field equipment that is normally used during drill.” Sakamoto said that he and two other cooks used this type of equipment before, but this was not the case for the majority of the cooks. “We usually use the field stove and ovens,” he said.

Lunch in the field consisted of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE). These are the Army’s new plastic foil-pouched meals, different from the old canned rations.

As the scenario for the field exercise unfolded, the battalion split into several units playing defenders and aggressors. Each unit made several moves setting up and breaking camp each time.

Active component members of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry “Wolfhounds” of the 25th Infantry evaluated the 2nd Battalion Big Islanders of the Hawaii Army National Guard. The evaluators were commanded by Lt. Col. H.T. Linke, battalion commander, and he was assisted by officers and noncommissioned officers of his battalion.

First Lt. John Radel, scout evaluator, said: “I was impressed by the motivation of the soldiers. They were eager to learn and improve. They know the basic skills and worked hard to learn the more advanced techniques. I was particularly impressed by the scout platoon sergeant and squad leaders that ran the platoon after their platoon leader got injured.”

Capt. Douglas Curtis, Company C evaluator who has been the 25th Division’s S-4 for more than two years said, “Company C had the best company supply operations

– 1984 October- December Pūpūkahi pp. 4-5

1985

Most of Headquarters Installation Command’s units performed their annual training at Pohakuloa Training Area and Schofield Barracks during July 20 – August 3, 1985. Three units performed annual training at other locations on different dates. These were:

• a. The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 297th Supply and Service Battalion , performed their annual training at Camp Humphreys in the Republic of Korea during March 16-30, 1985.
• b. The 298th Engineer Detachment performed their annual training at Camp Howze in the Republic of Korea during April 27 – May 11, 1985.
• c. Troop E (Air) 19th Cavalry performed their annual training at Pohakuloa Training Area during July 27 – August 10, 1985.

– 1985 Annual Report pp. 7

Hawaii Air National Guard units conducted extensive training operations locally and overseas.

The 154th Composite Group placed renewed emphasis on individual and unit training, using every training opportunity to develop new skills and increase proficiency in old ones. These training opportunities ranged from local dissimilar air defense exercises designed to sharpen aircrew skills to participation in a joint nation exercise involving both support and flying elements interfacing with United States and allied military forces operating in a high-intensity tactical environment. Unit personnel involved with these exercises gained valuable experience operating under field conditions.

In anticipation of an upcoming operational readiness inspection, the 201st Combat Communications Group has made training a top priority to achieve increased readiness and performance reliability from each unit. Various units within the Group have participated in local initial response exercises and in-garrison systems training. During these local deployments, 201st units have successfully set up communications links with the Defense Communications Systems station in the Philippines and the U. S. Navy communications stations in California and Japan.

The 199th Weather Flight conducted year-round training at the Wheeler Air Force Base Weather Station. Under the total force policy, the Weather FIight performed actual in-station duties normally assigned to an active duty unit of the Air Weather Service. The 199th Weather Flight also supported the Hawaii Army National Guard during their deployment to the Big Island for annual training. Training under this total force policy allowed the 199th Weather Flight to become fully qualified to perform its mobilization mission while alleviating manpower shortages of the active duty weather force.

– 1985 Annual Report pp. 13

298th Engineers train in Korea

By Capt. Bud Bowles

Sixty-five members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 298th Engineer Detachment and their Army advisor recently returned from an annual training that they’ll never forget at a post 10 minutes from the North Korean Border.

The structural engineer unit trained with the Regular Army’s Third Brigade at Camp Howse and the 2nd Engineer Battalion (Combat) at Camp Giant, Korea, just 13 kilometers from the North Korean border. The Third Brigade is the furthest frontline brigade in the U.S. Army. They are responsible for, the security of the United Nations delegation in Panmunjon and the American sector of the Demilitarized Zone.

During their two weeks the carpenters, plumbers, masons, electricians and other craftsmen built a 30-foot by 50- foot day room at Camp Giant, a 35-foot rappelling tower at another nearby post (Rec. Center 4), and rebuilt concrete foundations for petroleum storage tanks.

For days the unit worked against the clock to complete the projects in their two-week time frame . For at least four days they worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., aided at night by spotlights provided by the Regular Army.

In the end, there were some big accomplishments, and some disappointments. A guard shack started at the highest point in the Western Corridor had to be abandoned because the heavy rains made it impossible to move the equipment to the site, then washed out the wooden forms constructed for the foundation. But the day room was completed, and the 35-foot rappelling tower was constructed with no time to spare.

“It was good training for everybody,” summarized Staff Sgt. Asuncion. “Times were hard and everybody pulled together to get the job done. The second week we worked at night for the entire week. The environment of working in a foreign country made it both challenging and exciting. And now we appreciate Hawaii so much more.”

– 1985 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 3

AT ’85 “Dusty mission accomplished

Nearly 3,000 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers from units on all major islands converged to train together at the Big Island’s Pohakuloa Training Area during July 20 through August 3.

It’s the most men and equipment fielded for a training exercise since the citizen soldiers were mobilized for duty in South Vietnam 17 years ago.

Other units supporting the brigade included artillery, engineering, supply, maintenance, transportation, medical, and an air cavalry company.

During previous years, Army Guard units were headquartered at the Pohakuloa’s base camp area with all the “comforts,” but this year only a small supporting unit was there.

The majority of the units were operating out of tents in a tactical environment among the cinder cones.

The field exercises were highlighted by visits of Gov. George Ariyoshi, Rep. Daniel Akaka (his first visit), and members of the Civilian Advisory Group (CAG), accompanied by Maj. Gen. Alexis Lum, state adjutant general and Brig. Gen. Irwin Cockett, Jr., commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

The 25th Division Army evaluators said that Hawaii’s citizen soldiers performed outstandingly during their 15 days in the rugged and dusty Pohakuloa Training Area.

The rocky and dusty volcanic conditions at PTA test the soldiers’ stamina and patience, especially if they only got a few hours sleep after spending hours trying to dig a four-foot foxhole in the lava cinders of PTA.

Pfc. Ricky Torres, a member of Company C from Kohala on the Big Island, said the training is good and agreed that the conditions really put you to the test. When asked what he plans to do when he gets a weekend off, he replied, ”I’ll sleep all day.”

The cold and dusty environment at PTA may be trying to some folks, but not for Pfc. Manuel Delos Santos, of Kihei, on Maui. “I love it. This is my second home.”

Maj. Gen. Lum noted that this year’s two weeks of military active duty is the first time that almost all of the 3,853 member Hawaii Army National Guard will be at the Pohakuloa Training Area at the same time.

Brig. Gen. Cockett was impressed by the attitude and spirit of the soldiers.

“During my visits, I’ve seen professional soldiers doing what they’ve been trained to do and doing it well. In the dust and dirt they are giving it all they’ve got,” Cockett said.

Under the Army’s Roundout program, the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade will become the third brigade of the 25th Infantry Division and selected units of the Guard’s Headquarters Installation Command will augment the division in the event of federal mobilization.

Following the completion of their two weeks of military training. soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard returned to their civilian status.

– 1985 July September Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

1986

The majority of Headquarters Installation Command’s units successfully performed their annual training at Pohakuloa Training Area and Schofield Barracks during the period July 19-August 2, 1986, with the exception of the following:

• a. The 292nd Supply and Service Company performed their annual training at Barstow, California during the period July 5-19, 1986, while participating in JCS Exercise Gallant Eagle 1986.
• b. The Troop E (Air), 19th Cavalry, performed their annual training at Pohakuloa Training Area and Wheeler Air Force Base during the period July 26-August 9, 1986.

– 1986 Annual Report pp. 7-8

Hawaii Air National Guard units conducted extensive training operations locally and overseas.

An increase in the 154th Composite Group’s skill qualification rate was noted during this fiscal year. This was a result of the concerted effort by unit training personnel and proved the Group’s ability to accomplish the mission while insuring combat readiness when called upon by the active force.

A number of exercises throughout the year assisted in these training requirements – Opportune Journey, RIMPAC, Cope Road and Red Flag. As in past years, such active participation by 154th Composite Group “troops” allowed for the honing of acquired skills and the applying of individual as well as group expertise. . . .

The 199th Weather Flight conducted year-round training at the Wheeler Air Force Base Weather Station. Under the total force policy, the Weather Flight performed actual in-station duties normally assigned to an active duty unit of the Air Weather Service. The 199th Weather Flight also supported the Hawaii Army National Guard during their deployment to the Big Island for annual training. Training under this total force policy allowed the 199th Weather Flight to become fully qualified to perform its mobilization mission while alleviating manpower shortages of the active duty weather force.

– 1986 Annual Report pp. 12

HARNG soldiers to participate in Team Spirit ’86 exercises

By Capt. Bud Bowles, HQ ST ARC,
HARNG

Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers will leave for Korea in March to participate in the largest military exercise held annually in the free world- “Team Spirit ’86.”

Team Spirit is held annually as a joint exercise between various full time and reserve elements of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

The purpose of the exercise is to increase the defensive posture of ROK and U.S. support forces through training in combined/joint operations, to include the reception, staging, employment and redeployment of out-of-country augmentation forces.

Team Spirit will also exercise, train, and evaluate participating commanders, staffs and forces in the techniques and procedures for the defense of the Republic of Korea.

The Army Guard soldiers are members of various Army Guard units: Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment; 487th Field Artillery; 159th Maintenance Battalion; I 17th Public Affairs Detachment; the Scout Platoon of the Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry; and various elements of the 29th Infantry Brigade. Over 125 soldiers will be going to Korea as part of their two-week annual training.

Fifteen members of the 159th Maintenance Battalion will comprise a battalion headquarters for the 905th Maintenance Company, a reserve unit from California. The Guard members will provide command and control for the maintenance company as they provide direct support maintenance at Camp Humphries, Seoul.

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s 12th Personnel Service Company will send five members to work with their “Capstone” unit, the Regular Army’s 8th Personnel Command. They will help with logistics support in Yongsan, the military base next to Seoul.

Twenty-four soldiers from the Scout Platoon of the 2nd Battalion on Hawaii will perform annual Training in Korea as an element of the regular Army’s 25th Infantry Division.

The entire 117th Public Affairs Detachment (ten Guard members) will work with the Eighth U.S. Army Public Affairs unit.

Twenty six members of the 487th Field Artillery will serve as artillery controllers and damage assessment personnel in various areas of Korea with their home base at Camp Humphries.

Twenty five soldiers will augment the Army’s 25th Infantry Division units, while 44 soldiers will perform duties as exercise controllers for WESTCOM.

Participation by Hawaii Army National Guard units and soldiers is a programmed activity under the U.S. Army Overseas Deployment Training Program. All costs for the training are funded by the National Guard Bureau in Washington.

Team Spirit is a regularly scheduled training exercise. The first Team Spirit exercise was conducted in June, 1976. This will be the 11th exercise in the Team Spirit series and is comparable in size but of shorter duration than Team Spirit ’85.

– 1986 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 3

AT ’86: HARNG’s last round-out

The Hawaii Army National Guard (HARNG) soldiers sharpened their skills during annual training ’86 sites from the hot California deserts to the dusty volcanic saddle of the Big Island’s Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) to the “civilized” confines of Schofield Barracks on Oahu.

More than 3,000 of Hawaii’s citizen soldiers completed their 15 days of active duty from July 9 through August 9, 1986.

HARNG’s 29th Infantry Brigade (29th Inf Bde), commanded by Col. Donald Oura, trained at PT A along with various units from the Headquarters Installation Command (HIC). Other. HIC units, commanded by Col. Haruo Shigezawa, trained at field Barracks and California’s Mojav Desert. (See 292nd Supply and Service Company story.)

The Employer Support of the Guar and Reserve (ESGR) “Operation Boss lift” program, conducted during the second week at PT A, allowed employer to observe and become more knowledgeable about the employee-soldier’ National Guard mission and activities during annual training.

Eighteen employers from state and county government, agencies, airline companies, hospitals, financial institutions, restaurants, hotels and Hawaii’s largest sugar plantations toured PTA, visiting the soldier-on-the field.

“We appreciate the support that our civilian employers give to our soldiers and we wanted them to get a better idea on what our soldiers-and their employees-go through during their two weeks of annual training,” said Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, state adjutant general. “Sometimes one person leaving a small operation can impede the company’s operation,” continued Lum, “but by working together and fostering a __ relationship among the Guard and serve, its people and their employers, we’ll be able to maintain our state’s and nation’s military readiness and help our businesses prosper.”

This year also marks the last annual training for Brig. Gen. Irwin K. Cockett, Jr., assistant adjutant general, Army, HARNG’s commander, and the last year that the 25th Inf Bde and the HIC’s select units train as part of the Army’s 25th Infantry Division’s Roundout Program. Under this program, the Hawaii Army National Guard would have become part of the 25th in the event of federal mobilization. On October 1, the 29th Inf Bde will become a separate infantry brigade.

Following the completion of their 15 days of active-duty training, Hawaii’s citizen soldiers returned to their homes and civilian careers and activities.

– 1986 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

292nd S&S completes desert training

Extreme heat and an earth tremors were nature’s obstacles to soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 292nd Supply and Service Company as the performed two weeks of Annual Train ing at Daggett Airfield in California Mojave Desert last month.

“I drank eight canteens of water a day, more than I would usually drink in a week,” said Sgt. Gerald Cabuag of the 292nd My canteen was always at IT. side.”

Uncomfortable conditions aside, the 292nd had missions to perform in the Mojave Desert, according to Cap James Kinoshita, company commander.

“Our company arrived at the beginning of the Gallant Eagle training exercise and was tasked with setting up support facilities before the main field training exercise began at Daggett Airfield, George Air Force Base, and at Twenty-nine Palms,” he said.

Support facilities included setting up vehicle refueling stations, supply pick-up points, male and female shower facilities, a laundry service and even clothing repair shop, Kinoshita said.

The distance between these locations provided a logistics challenge to the mission of the 292nd. “From Daggett, it’s 45 miles to George Air Force Base and 80 miles to Twenty-nine Palms,” said 1st Lt Michael Nakahara, 292nd Executive Officer.

The area was vast, but also great were tasks accomplished by members of the 292nd.

“The first thing we had to do was set up netting,” said 292nd 1st Sgt. Juan Ramores. The camouflage netting for the Supply Battalion covered 15 General Purpose (GP) medium-sized tents and 6 GP small tents. “Camouflage netting of these 21 tents became a long day’s work,” Ramores said.

After the camouflage netting was setup, the 292nd at Daggett linked up with the 561st Supply and Service Battalion, a regular Army unit from Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

“The 561st provided the heavy equipment such as the washers and dryers. We set the equipment up, ran it and performed maintenance as necessary,” said Kinoshita.

But there was no maintenance going on in the wee hours of the morning as soldiers of the 292nd were shaken from their sleep by another of California’s natural phenomenon, an earthquake.

“It was about 2:20 a.m. when the tremor hit,” said Nakahara. “Some of the tents weren’t set up yet, so we were sleeping in an open hangar. We awoke to the earth shaking and the roof waving overhead.”

“I jumped up and ran out,”said Spec. 4 Rosalie Gongob.

The effects of the quake to the soldiers were limited to the scare and startling wake-up. The tremor had been caused by a quake that occurred 75 miles away in Palm Springs, according to news reports.

Despite the heat and earth tremor disruptions, services offered by the 292nd were completely operational within days. They began 24-hour service work shifts in support of the field units participation in Gallant Eagle training exercises.

“Everything went as planned,” observed 2nd Lt. Gary Littlefield, the petroleum platoon leader at Daggett, “thanks to teamwork and attention to detail by my troops and key non-commissioned officers like Staff Sgt. Kiyoshi Arakawa, who led by example.”

“There were no problems with the food distribution,” said 1st Lt. Karen Wall, platoon leader for the dining facility.

“This is the smoothest integration of reserve and active components that I’ve seen in 17 years,” said Lt. Col. Neil Biamon, commander of the 561 st. “The soldiers were knowledgeable about the operation and they knew their job,” said 1st Lt. Antonio Foster, 292nd evaluator, a Brigade training officer from Fort Lee, Viginia.

Meeting the challenges of mission and training requirements while conquering Mother Nature’s obstacles such as the heat and an unexpected earthquake gave the soldiers of the 292nd cause to celebrate.

Before they left the Mojave desert, along with its fire ants, coyotes, snakes and black widow spiders, … they gave thanks … Hawaiian style.

On the eve of their departure, soldiers of the 292nd Supply and Service Company bid Aloha to the Mojave Desert by way of an authentic Hawaiian luau, complete with a fire-pit, imu-roasted pig, and all the island extras.

“You can bet desert training doesn’t often end like this,” said Kinoshita.

– 1986 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

HANG Hospital is home

Members oft he 154th Tactical Hospital returned to Hawaii after spending “Christmas in September” for two weeks at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

The team comprised of 34 medical and four support personnel.

The primary purpose of the deployment was to provide training and job related experience at an Air Force medical treatment facility. The trip also offered a chance to participate in Continuing Medical Readiness Training (CMRT) (Medical Red Flag) conducted by the staff of the U.S. Air Force Regional Hospital Elmendorf.

Personnel spent three days and two nights in the field participating in simulated combat exercises including agressor infiltration and mass casualty.

The 154th ‘s two family practice physicians assisted in alleviating a backlog of patients in the family practice clinic and in the emergency room, at times seeing 30-40 patients a day.

The readiness training was excellent, but all welcome returning to the warmth of the Hawaiian sun.

– 1986 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 4

1987

During Federal Year 1987, all of the 29th Infantry Brigade’s subordinate headquarters and the majority of Troop Command’s units performed their annual training in July at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii. The field exercise controlled by the 25th Infantry Division was the training highlight. The balance of the Troop Command trained at Schofield Barracks on Oahu.

– 1987 Annual Report pp. 7

Units of the Hawaii Air National Guard continued their extensive training operations in the State and on the mainland . . . In addition to conversion training, members of the 154th Composite Group participated in a number of large training exercises with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and other military units. As in the past, these training exercises enable the units to improve their skills and interact with the active forces.

– 1987 Annual Report pp. 12

Hawaii Army Guard’s AT 87 Realistic training at PTA

Soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard are on the move.

More than 3,700 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers took leave from their civilian occupations over a period of two months to train for 15 days on active duty.

Coming from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui, more than 2,600 Army Guard soldiers from the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) and the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, joined the Big Island Guardsmen from the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, at the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area.

Governor John Waihee joined the ranks of the military for the first time in his career as he assumed the role as commander in chief of the Hawaii National Guard and paid an inspection visit to the soldiers training on the Big Island.

Governor Waihee donned the Army’s camouflage battle dress uniform and went into the field to meet his troops, who trained for the first time with many of the latest equipment in the Army inventory.

Accompanying Waihee was Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, who is a member of Waihee’s cabinet as the director of the Department of Defense and the commanding general of the Hawaii National Guard.

On the field, training was enhanced by the addition of the Army’s new Highly Mobile Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, “hummer,” or “humvee”).

The “hummer,” which will eventually replace all the jeeps in the Hawaii Army National Guard’s motor pool, is powered by a 6.2 litre diesel V-8 engine, has an automatic transmission and can be used in four-wheel drive. It can be used as a troop carrier, an ambulance, or an anti-tank vehicle.

When configured as an anti-tank vehicle, armed with a Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided missile (TOW), the “humvee” is a lethal weapon. 1st Lt. Mike Straszkow said, “This new equipment can be a lifesaver.” Straszkow leads the TOW platoon attached to Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, Hawaii Army National Guard.

“When we fire a TOW at a tank, it takes 16 seconds for the missile to go 2 ½ miles,” Straszkow said, ”That’s a long time to expose ourself. We may get the tank, but we’ve shown our selves to the enemy after we’ve fired.

That was the old situation when the TOWs were mounted on the jeeps, he added, and could only be fired in one direction.

Mounted on the “humvee,” the TOW now can be rotated in any direction and even face the rear of the vehicle.

“This means the soldiers can escape quickly after firing the TOW. Now we can fire and flee,” said Straszkow.

In addition to the “hummer”, Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers have been issued the Army’s new Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV). which is the military’s version of the commercial “Blazer” covered truck.

The “humvee” was not the only new equipment for the Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers. They also trained with the Army’s new Kevlor helmets.

“It’s a lot lighter, but you can’t cook in it,” said Sgt. Lance Tamashiro of Company B, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry.

The soldiers from 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, were given a chance to participate in an airmobile exercise using the Army’s new Blackhawk helicopter, which is slowly replacing the UH-I Huey helicopters-a familiar aircraft from the Vietnam era.

Training together on the Big Island has some definite advantages, according to Kauai Army Guard soldiers.

“Here we can concentrate on training because there is nowhere else to go,” said Staff Sgt. Derek Gandia of the isolated conditions at the training area.

The Pohakuloa Training Area is located 250 miles from Oahu on the Big Island and situated midway between the towns of Hilo and Kona at an elevation of 6,400 feet. It also sits in the saddle between two volcanoes-Mauna Kea to the north and Mauna Loa to the south.

The climax of this year’s Hawaii Army National Guard’s Annual Training is a four-day field exercise. The operation included simulated nerve agents, electronic warfare and capture and interrogation of prisoners of war.

During the exercise, the 29th Brigade’s 1st Battalion operated as the opposing force.

Following the completion of their two weeks of military training, the guardsmen returned home.

Story by Capt. Bud Bowles, HIANG
Photo by Sgt. Fred T. Kihara, HIARNG

– 1987 July-September Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

487th Field Artillery drives in stakes at Ft. Lewis

It’s been a busy year for soldiers belonging to the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 487th Field Artillery.

“We sent a composite battery to South Korea to participate in Team Spirit a few months ago,” Lt. Col. John Hao said.

“Now the whole battalion is here at Fort Lewis undertaking its 15 days of active duty training.”

The soldiers spent Aug. 11-29 at Fort Lewis which is situated in the shadow of Mt. Rainer 10 miles from Tacoma and 46 miles from Seattle.

The artillery unit made the nearly six hour. 2,679-mile trip from Honolulu to Washington state aboard two C-141 jet transports from the Mississippi Air National Guard.

The Hawaii soldiers not only had to adjust to a three-hour time difference, but to a slight shift in the temperature. It was nearly 90 degrees when the soldiers left the Islands and down in the mid-50s when they landed at Washington’s McChord Air Force Base.

But the Hawaii Army Guard soldiers took the temperature shifts and the training challenges that were to follow in stride.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Lau said the unfamiliar terrain forced the soldier to brush up on their navigation skills, especially the use of compasses.

“This wasn’t like the training area we are accustomed to going to every summer,” Lau said . ‘There we know all the firing points and we just drive up to the area, pound our stakes into the ground and start firing.”

One of the main reasons for coming to Fort Lewis was to provide a different firing environment for the artillerymen, according to Staff Sgt. David Devers, the training sergeant for Battery C which I headquartered in Kaneohe.

The unit normally trains at Schofield Barracks on Oahu and the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii during the summers. Because those areas are flat with no obstructions. the artillerymen can see where their artillery rounds land.

It was a different story at Fort Lewis.

In some instances, the batteries were forced to fire over trees with no visual view of the impact area.

Each battery fired 175 rounds during the first week of training. The 105mm howitzers were drawn from the inventory of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division which is stationed at Fort Lewis.

During the second week of training the soldiers put aside their cannon and concentrated on individual soldiering survival skills-such as rappelling, fording rivers by rope bridges, and assaulting a· fortified village. They also attended classes on nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.

By Master Sgt. Kin Lo, HIARNG

– 1987 July-September Pūpūkahi pp. 6

1988

Federal Fiscal Year 1988 was a challenging one for units of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Most of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) units trained at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii in July of 1988. Highlights of the annual training were company air deployments to Kauai and Molokai on Air National Guard aircraft, helicopter air assaults on Hawaii, and a field exercise controlled by the 25th Infantry Division (Light).

In March, a composite company of 150 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry deployed to the Republic of Korea to participate in exercise Team Spirit Other significant deployments moved brigade and battalion cells to Sendai, Japan, to participate in exercise Yama Sakura; Fort Lewis, Washington, for a Battle Automated Simulation Exercise; and to Toowoduba, Australia, for exercise Pacific Reserve, an exchange program with the Australian Army.

The units of the Troop Command completed their annual training at various locations during Training Year 1988. Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 297th Supply and Service Battalion participated in overseas deployment training to the Republic of Korea in March 1988. The 292nd Supply and Service Company trained at the Pohakuloa Training Area in support of the 29th Brigade. The 291st Maintenance Company completed its annual training at Tooele Army Depot, Utah. The 291 st performed depot-level repair of vehicles, tanks, weapon systems, and electronic equipment. The 1st Battalion, 193rd Aviation performed its annual training at Wheeler AFB on Oahu in August.

– 1988 Annual Report pp. 8

The 154th Composite Group had several opportunities to test their readiness capabilities this year. During the Cope Cage exercise in November, the Composite Group flew 31 sorties to respond to simulated air attacks. It was a taxing exercise with superior results. Other exercises included a Department of Defense sponsored 200K Reserve call-up in October. a Navy sponsored readiness exercise in January and a joint mobilization exercise with the 15th Air Base Wing in June.

To maintain its air superiority, the Composite Group hosted numerous dissimilar air combat training (DACT) exercises throughout the year. In February, the 154th Composite Group flew against Arizona Air NationalGuard A-7 and F-16 fighters with simulated Soviet-style threat tactics during exercise Sentry Tigre. Immediately following was exercise Lone Star with F-4 fighters from the Texas Air National Guard. Also in February, the unit resumed four-ship advanced tactics for the first timesince the conversion to the F-15 Eagle. By November, the Composite Group had established DACT scenario arrangements involving U.S. Marine Corps F-4 Phantoms and U.S. Navy A-4 Skyhawks against Hawaii Air National Guard F-15s. . . .

Thirty-eight members of the 154th Tactical Hospital performed their annual training at the U.S. Air Force Hospital, Yokota Air Base, Japan, from July 25 through Aug. 7, 1987. Experience and training in the hospital setting was accomplished along with Medical Readiness Training. As related by the Yokota Hospital Commander, the Hawaii Air National Guard’s Tactical Hospital contributed significantly toward reducing a burdensome backlog of patient care through their unselfish, professional approach in dealing with this problem. Accompanying Tactical Hospital personnel were six members of the 154th Mission Support Squadron and three members of the 154th Resource Management Squadron who conducted annual training as well as support during the deployment. . . .

About 80 members of the 154th Civil Engineering Squadron received annual training during an overnight bivouac at the Hickam AFB training site in November. During this training, the unit set up tents, a command post, shower and latrine facilities, as well as participated in a night security exercise.

– 1988 Annual Report pp. 11

HIARNG soldiers travel to Korea Team Spirit ’88 sharpens soldiering skills

By Capt. Gary Tsuji
117th Public Affairs Detachment

For more than 200 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers, this year’s annual training was a unique cultural and training experience.

Soldiers from Maui, Molokai, Kauai, and Oahu performed their two weeks of annual training at Team Spirit 88 in Korea in April. These Hawaii Guard soldiers were from various units of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 299th company and 297th Supply Service Battalion.

Because oft heir proficiency, infantry soldiers from the 1st Battalion were consolidated into Alpha Company for the exercise.

Team Spirit ’88 is an annual field training exercise involving Republic of Korea and U.S. forces stationed in Korea, plus other locations within the Pacific Command and the Continental United States. This year’s event was the 13th exercise since Team Spirit began in 1976.

The 1st Battalion’s Alpha Company was attached to the 4th Battalion, 22nd Infantry, of the U.S. Army’s Hawaii based 25th Infantry Division (Light). For two weeks Alpha Company, as members of the defensive “Blue” forces, fought the battle, struggling up one side of a hill, then down another, crossing rivers, crawling through brush, jumping into helicopters. Home was on their backs-a sleeping bag, rations, water, extra clothing, ammunition, MOPP suits. But the morale remained high as training continued.

“This is great,”‘ said Spec. 4 Samuel C. Bisarra of Kekaha, Kauai. “This is my first time in Korea and there is a lot of action.”

The troops enjoyed flying in the U.S. Army’s Blackhawk helicopters, as they assaulted enemy-held targets.

“It was very good training. The airmobile was too short-the Blackhawks were choice” enthused Spec. 4 Herman Puaoi of Kaunakai, Molokai.

“For the first time we’ve actually fighting real tanks,” said Spec. 4 Adolphus C. Cabras, a member of the anti tank missile platoon. “Other times we just pretend- this time it’s for real.”

“This is different- I like it, I want to come back again. The nights are cold but I like ‘bombing’ the tanks- I like being a TOW (anti-tank missile) gunner,” added Pvt. Juan Celestino.

In addition, 66 men and women were from the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 297th Supply and Service Battalion. They worked with 578 Active Army and other Guard members and reservists from Illinois, Texas, California, Ohio, and Arizona.

The 297th’s advance party transformed a half completed soccer stadium into a fully operational military combat support base. Men and women erected tents, laid walkways, dug machine gun emplacements and connected electrical wiring.

“There was nothing when we arrived. Just rain and mud. There was nobody around, but we laid out the gravel and floorboards, dug fox holes and filled 3,000 sandbags,” said Spec. 4 Darleen A. Derego from Waipahu.

With the difference in environment came a new set of problems new to the Hawaii soldiers-one being the cold.

“Dehydration is a problem. Lots of people don’t know that when you’re cold-you use a lot of water,”said Capt. Levon Wong, Alpha Company’s Commander

“It’s cold but it’s nice- and I can trade one MRE for ten mandu (Korean dumplings)” said Pvt. John F. Mauga of Kalihi. “Call us back anytime.”

The unit also learned to adapt to ‘unfamiliar circumstances and individuals. One problem arose because Alfa Company was composed of individuals from different units in the Guard.

“I don’t know the individuals,” said Capt. Wong. “Different platoons have different personalities.”

However, after learning Alfa’s soldiers are from Hawaii, a unique cultural exchange always followed.

“After the battle we shake hands, trade MRE’s,” said Spec. 4 Joseph H. Kahee from Hoolehua, Molokai. They (Republic of Korea soldiers) get tired of their food like we get tired of ours, so we trade our MR E’s for theirs. They don’t give up their rice, but they give up their kim chee. We take pictures and trade (shoulder) patches- We like training with the ROKS.”

“The training is more realistic here,” said Sgt. Roland Tacsiat of Hanamaulu, Kauai.” This is my third trip to Korea.”

Although Team Spirit involves thousands of combat infantry maneuvering on the Korean countryside, 60-ton tanks rolling toward battle and awesome Cobra helicopter gunships streaking toward enemy positions; it is a military fact of life that the infantry could not maneuver, tanks could not roll and helicopters could not streak, without the support of soldiers and units similar to the 297th Supply and Service Battalion.

Napoleon once observed that an “army travels on its stomach.” During the 19th century, a modem army travels on gasoline, spare parts and maintenance procedures. These were part of the services provided by the men and women who comprise the officers and enlisted soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 297th Supply and Service Battalion. They furnished the meals, field sanitary facilities and repair shops necessary to maintain an effective 20th Century fighting force, keeping it operating, successful and winning.

The 297th is indeed a traveling unit. In 1982, the unit deployed to Belgium, while in 1985, a number of unit members made their first trip to Korea.For many, this year’s deployment was their second trip to Korea.

– 1988 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 4

TEAM SPIRIT ’88

By Major Bert T. Kumabe
HIANG

It’s great to be back in Hawaii! It was a long journey for all of us – going from sunny Hawaii to cold Korea. Traveling over 10,000 miles roundtrip across the Pacific on a 17 day military exercise, is anything but a picnic. Our equipment was stowed comfortably in the C-5’s cavernous cargo bay. In contrast, we were berthed in the cramp upstairs passenger quarters, where we endured endless hours of thumbing through old magazines and munching on cold box lunches. It was basic MAC travel – a traditional no frills flight.

Upon arriving in country we had the exciting experience of convoying our equipment to Yoju, about two hours driving time from Osan. The MPN-14 crew particularly enjoyed the challenge of taking their huge vans through tight streets and dodging village children. And nothing could beat the thrill of the TRC-97 “Youngmunsan Wild Mountain Ride” – a two hour adventure even Walt Disney would be proud of.

But the main attractions at Yoju were the busy afternoons of C-130 and helicopter operations, the exciting sights of C-141 ‘s doing paratroop drops into Yoju, the realism of A-IO’s performing practice gunnery runs, and the assortment of VFR/ IFR traffic transiting the area.

To top things off, we had to contend with the seemingly ever present, unannounced Korean motorcyclists. They continued to use the runways for motocross training, bringing a new dimension to our traffic mix, and excitement to our tower crews.

Last but not least, there were the infamous, but memorable OB-Seagrams/ 0 B-Beer factory educational tours at lchon. Those tours somehow never seem to fail to evoke a warm feeling in our hearts and put smiles to our faces.

Ah … those are some of the memories of Yoju. Maybe we’ve returned with a little less money in our wallets due to the fabulous shopping and great Korean cultural attractions. Maybe we’re a bit more frayed than usual from this years team spirit tour Nonetheless, I’m sure we are very proud of our accomplishments and participation in a highly successful Team Spirit deployment.

Now that we’re away from the sights and sounds of Korea, safe from 12 hours workdays and MRE lunches, we can finally catch our breath and reflect on our accomplishments.

First of all the mission itself must be taken in proper perspective because of it’s historical significance. The 201st was the first Air National Guard Combat Communications Group to ever provide complete air traffic control services for the highly visible Team Spirit Exercise. To allow the Air National Guard to provide such critical services is a testimony to the confidence the Air Force has in the Hawaii Air National Guard and our Guard’s ability to perform its mission.

Second, it was a dramatic display of our combat readiness because the 201st demonstrated its ability to deploy and operate successfully alongside the regular Air Force.

Third, it clearly demonstrated the “Total Force” concept and the dedicated professionalism of the citizen soldier to get the job done. It was a great opportunity for us to work in a joint operational environment with both active duty Air Force, Army and Republic of Korea Air Force.

As Team Spirit ’89 takes shape, I know that the 201st will once again be called upon to participate. The Yoju experience has set the foundation for the future deployments. If this year’s deployments. If this year’s deployment is a good indicator, the future indeed looks bright for the 201st Group.

– 1988 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Airlifts accent AT ’88

More than 3,000 soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade ‘ (Separate), Hawaii Army National Guard, completed Annual Training 1988 this summer. Months of weekend training were tested.

Planning put to the test

The start of AT ’88 culminated several months of planning, trammg, and realistic mobilization exercise designed to test HIARNG’s capabilities to deploy its units.

Families briefed

This also meant ensuring that HIARNG family members were briefed on what benefits they as perspective military families, were entitled to as well as making sure that the family had all necessary legal documents. The family briefings are part of an on going program developed by the State Family Program Coordinator.

Brigade moves out

The brigade soldiers prepared to move out at dawn. They departed their unit armories July 16 and 17, in full gear and flew from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui to Bradshaw Army Airfield located in Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.

Rapidly departing the C-130 aircraft, the infantry soldiers were immediately trucked out into the dusty and rugged lava fields of PT A, their home away from home for the next two weeks. For the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, headquartered on the Big Island, moving during AT ’88 simply meant driving up the hill.

“Everything was fast paced,” said Sgt. Ireneus Borengasser, Alpha Company, 1st Bn., 299th Inf., as he described his first few days during AT ’88. Borengasser is a Kauai police officer from Kapehi.

Offensive posture

Within 24-hours, select brigade units were again boarding military aircraft and helicopters to conduct their mission and recapture several “enemy-held” positions around the state.

On July 17, soldiers from Bravo Co., 2nd Bn., 299th Inf., departed Bradshaw AAF on C-130 aircraft bound for the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility – Barking Sands on the island of Kauai. Their mission – to retake an “enemy-held” communication site which was being used to pass on information to the “enemy’s” naval force.

The Big Island soldiers from Kona were silent during their pre-deployment briefing as they quietly contemplated their objective. By night fall, the soldiers were ready to conduct their assault. Using the cover of darkness and moving swiftly yet quietly, the Kona soldiers engaged and overwhelmed the “enemy” forces, capturing their objective.

During AT ’88, the pace remained in high gear.

“One day •··’! traveled from Kauai to the Big Island, and the next daJ we were attacking Molokai,” boasted Sgt. Jerry Carineo, also from Kauai.

On July, 18, Alpha Co., !st !st Bn., 299th Inf., soldiers from Kauai were flown to Molokai to also assault and capture an “enemy” position. “We boarded the aircraft at noon, landed on Molokai at I p.m. and hiked up and down valleys and ridges. In total darkness, we reached, attacked, and captured the objective. It was a long ‘hump,’ but the mission turned out good,” explained Borengasser.

Additionally, solders from Troop E, 19th Cavalry were airlifted on Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from PTA to Puu Pa, a dormant volcano cone, to assault an “enemy” position near Kohala.

The “enemy” during AT ’88 on Kauai and Molokai as well as various locations in PT A and on the Big Island were soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division (Light).

Evaluating AT ’88

How did the citizen soldiers do during AT ’88?

According to Capt. Harold Bass, division evaluator attached to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 299th Inf., “This company has highly motivated soldiers with good leadership and they gave me a favorable impression of an infantry with the National Guard.”

Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr., commander of the 29th Inf. Bde. (Sep.) said, “I was most impressed by the dedication and hard work demonstrated by each brigade soldier. Everyone worked as a team with one common goal – mission first!”

“AT ’88 was the most dynamic training we’ve conducted in recent years,” continued D’Araujo. “It was demanding on all staff levels. We tried some innovative approaches to reach out training objectives and I feel we kept the soldiers challenged.”

By Staff Sgt. Dennis Y. Fujii
117th PAD

– 1988 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

Maintenance Company gets ‘hands-on’ training at Utah

More than 80 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers of the 291st Maintenance Company conducted annual training for two weeks at the Tooele Army Depot in Utah.

The HIARNG soldiers arrived there July 31 aboard a C-141 jet flown by the Mississippi Air National Guard.

The soldiers received “hands-on” training instead of textbook instructions and worked with advanced equipment. Civilian journeymen workers helped the soldiers expand their knowledge by showing them techniques and “tricks-of-the-trade” that came with years of experience.

The biggest difference was the equipment.

“With the machines there, parts were made in huge quantities at an unreal rate,” said Staff Sgt. Danny Murakami of Palolo Valley. “Although it would take a month of exposure to get the hang of these machines, it was still important for us to have at least an idea of their capabilities since we have none at the unit. Some of my men work in the same field on their civilian jobs; it benefits them in more ways than one,” added Murakami, who is a full-time machinist with the Guard.

The training at Tooele is important to the unit since an upcoming reorganization will affect the 291st. Various positions for certain Military Occupational Specialties are going to vanish causing some soldiers to retrain into other specialties.

The Maintenance Company is the only HIARNG unit with an approved supervised on-the-job training program. It normally trains at the Waiawa Armory in Pearl City.

The deployment to Tooele couldn’t have happened at a better time.

“The training at Tooele Depot with their tanks and track vehicles really helped our program since in Hawaii, the opportunity to work in these areas would not exist.” said Sgt. 1st Class David Junk, training non-commission officer for the 291st.

“This program helps retention because it encourages soldiers to continue in another occupation gradually instead of taking three months off their civilian jobs to go to school,” adds Junk, a Kailua resident.

While the bulk of the company worked within the depot, a few soldiers traveled to the Utah National Guard’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Salt Lake City each morning. They worked on the maintenance of small arms as well as track vehicles.

The unique training at Tooele enhanced the morale of troops. A big part of this training involved the civilian workers in the shops who provided a helping hand to the soldiers. To extend a little aloha spirit back, the 291st invited some civilians to a luau at the end of the first week hoping the relationship between the two would strengthen. The traditional Hawaiian kalua pig, lomi salmon, and poi was served along with fresh air-flown poke (raw fish). Hawaiian music was performed by some members of the 291st.

After spending two dry weeks in ninety-plus degree weather, the cool tradewinds were a welcomed feeling when the soldiers returned to Hawaii on August 13 with the experience and knowledge gained at Tooele Army Depot.

Story & Photo by
Spec Lance Kamisugi
117th PAD

– 1988 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 7

1989

Federal Fiscal Year 1989 was another challenging one for units of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Most of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) units trained at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii in July 1989. Highlights of the annual training were company air deployments to Kauai and Molokai on Air National Guard aircraft, helicopter air assaults on Hawaii, and a field exercise controlled by the 25th Infantry Division (Light).  . .

The units of the Troop Command completed annual training (AT) at various locations during Training Year 1989. Units trained at three different locations wiihin the State. The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 297th Supply and Service Battalion, performed AT-89 at Keaukaha Military Reservation, Hilo, Hawaii, from July 15-29, 1989. The unit monitored logistics support operations of its subordinate units operating at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the island of Hawaii. The 292nd Supply and Service Company (Direct Support) performed its annual training at PTA during the period July 15-29, 1989. The unit provided a variety of combat service support to units of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate).

The 291st Maintenance Company (Heavy Equipment) performed its annual training at Schofield Barracks and Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station on Oahu, from July 15-29, 1989. The unit performed general support level maintenance and repair on Army wheeled vehicles provided by the U.S. Marine Corps. The 1st Battalion, 193rd Aviation, performed its annual training at Keaukaha Military Reservation and at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii from July 15-29, 1989. The unit conducted aerial gunnery training, combat support operations and aviator and air crew training. The 298th Engineer Detachment performed its annual training at Keaukaha Military Reservation located at Hilo, Hawaii, from July 8-22, 1989. The unit performed facilities maintenance at the Pahala, Kohala and Honokaa Armories.

– 1989 Annual Report pp. 9-10

A variety of exercises tested the readiness of the 154th COMPGP during Fiscal Year 1989. The group took part with other Pacific military units in a joint task force exercise. The exercise simulated a multiple nuclear strike on the island of Oahu. The purpose of the simulation was to evaluate shelter management, provide experience for the damage assessment teams, test the readiness of the 154th Tactical Hospital, evaluate our disaster preparedness, and test our ability to continue to perform our mission in a nuclear radiated environment.

Another exercise involved members of the 154th Civil Engineering Squadron, Prime Beef Emergency Engineering Force, and members from 154th Mission Support Squadron, Prime Readiness in Base Services, who deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, from July 9-12, 1988. The unit plotted the best runway alignment and then repaired the simulated runway.

– 1989 Annual Report pp. 13

HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING -’89

Army Guard Keeps on moving

Training prepares soldiers for mobilization

The Hawaii Army National Guard tested its mobilization and deployment plans during annual training exercises this year.

Soldiers from Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui participated in the five-phased mobilization exercise. “MOBEX ’89.” beginning May 17.

The preparation phase (peacetime) concluded when the simulated alert and notification of National Guard soldier call-up was initiated.

The third phase, mobilization at soldiers’ home station, began June 24; the fourth phase involved a movement to the mobilization station.

On July 15, more than 1,500 soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui flew on mainland based Air National Guard C-130 aircraft to the Big Island’s Pohakuloa Training Area.

Phase five, operational readiness improvement training, incorporated the Guard’s 15-day annual training.

The brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr., then conducted field training operations at various training sites on different islands in the State. They redeployed July 29. “Island Warrior ’89” tested the Guard’s post mobilization plans. The State Area Command Exercise (STARCEX) was held July 25-28 in conjunction with Annual Training ’89.

Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, the adjutant general and commander, State Area Command noted “AT ’89 at PTA was the best l’ve seen from the standpoint of coordination, training, support, and safety.”

Medical Company deploys to Guatemala

Thirty-eight Hawaii Army National Guard medical personnel deployed to Guatemala to provide humanitarian medicaI services under the Medical Civil Action program Aug. 2-18.

The 29th Support Battalion’ medical company team included two doctors, a dentist, a physician’s assistant, medics, and support personnel. The team was augmented’ by the Headquarters State Area Command’s medical staff (a dentist and two nurses). Additional Translators came from other 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) units.

Medicine and medical relief was brought to the isolated villages of Chataloum , Xepatan, and Paquip. Nearly 7,000 patients were examined, diagnosed, and treated in seven days.

The dental staff saw more than 815 patients. Five medics were taught how to pull teeth and extracted more than 1,785 teeth.

“We were able to maximize our efforts by cross-training our soldiers, especially our combat medicaI specialists,” said Staff Sgt. Johanna Duclayan, platoon sergeant and State Department of Health worker. “This allowed us to see more people by noon than the last National Guard unit did by 4 p.m.”

“I’m glad we can help,” said Spec. Danny Villiaros, a combat medical specialist and emergency medical technician for the City and County of Honolulu’s ambulance division. “The hands-on training was invaluable. It was satisfying to have a mission with a meaningful purpose.”

Big Island units deploy to Oregon

For two weeks, 379 soldier from Hilo, Keeau, Kealakekua, Pahala, Kona, and Honokaa on the Big Island made Camp Rilea, Ore. their training grounds.

The 2nd Battalion. 299th Infantry, commanded by Lt. Col. Delbert M. Nishimoto, trained in unfamiliar terrain 3,000 miles from home. Aug. 19 to Sept. 2.

Founded in 1927, Camp Rilea is a State training facility run by the Oregon National Guard and named after Maj. Gen. Thomas Rilea, adjutant general of Oregon from 1941 to 1959.

“I am getting a lot of hands-on experience. The logistical movement of equipment to Oregon will help me prepare for future training,” said Staff Sgt. Celso Tadeo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company’s fulltime supply clerk.

Spec. William Malakaua, a Hilo resident said. “The morale is good; the men are experiencing different types of terrain. When we deploy to the Pohakuloa Training Area, everything is simple.”

“We are familiar with the lands, puus (volcanic cinder cones). the roads and the trails. Here, everything is unfamiliar. We get to start from scratch,” said Malakaua who is the armorer for Headquarters Company.

Urban terrain tactics classes highlighted annual training. Instructors from the 25th Infantry Division (Light) taught the soldiers methods of assaulting a fortified village. In this case. the village was a mythical Millersburg. at the south end of Camp Rilea.

Besides the Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) training. the battalion practiced river-crossing, participated in squad-level live-fire drills. and sharpened individual land navigation techniques, according to Maj. Wayne Nishijima, operations officer.

Next year, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, will train in Oregon.

Compiled from stories by Lt. Col. Gregg, Kalcesako, Staff Sgts. Dennis Y. Fujii and Strphen M. Lum, Hawaii Army National Guard: and 1st LI. Ann Gardnu, Indiana Army Reserve

– 1989 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 8-9

Tactical Hospital deploys to Osan Air Base

The 154th TacticaI Hospital completed two weeks of unit mobilization training at an Air Base, Republic of Korea.

From July 28 to Aug. twelve officers and 42 airmen trained with the 51st Medical Group.

Doctors, a dentist, an optometrist, nurses, medics, and support staff were able to enhance or improve their technical and clinical skills at Osan’s medical treatment facility.

Personnel trained in their specialty areas. unlike medical readine training during the Team Spirit exercises. Tactical Hospital assistance to physicians also reduced the family practice and aeromedical clinics’ workloads.

The 154th received combat medical training and cardiovascular pulmonary resuscitation instructor certification and recertification.

All returned home cager for another educational training mission.

– 1989 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 10

Public Affairs Detachment returns from Panama

Palm trees, sunshine, beaches, and beautiful scenery … sounds like Hawaii, but for nine soldiers of the 117th Public Affairs Detachment, it was definitely not paradise. It was Panama. And they went there to work, Nov. 13-25.

The Hawaii Army Niational Guard unit deployed to Corozal, Panama for their two-week annual training to refine their print and journalism skills. The detachment covered U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force: National Guard and Reserve activities throughout the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Military units included military police, medics, engineers, and aircraft air and ground crews.

“It’s a unique experience being in the tropics,” said Sgt. Lance Kamisugi, a print journalist and Mililani resident. “We visited the Panama Canal and covered SOUTHCOM missions. It was a good change of pace; it broke up the routine of civilian life.” Kamisugi is a food service worker at Kuakini Medical Center.

During the first week of training, the citizen soldiers covered Tennessee and Alaska Air National Guard airlift activities, a Missouri Army National Guard military police unit, and other military operations on Panama’s Pacific coast.

The journalists also toured the Panama Canal, which gave them a chance to test their equipment in a more picturesque setting. The tour included a visit to the canal locks and a multimedia presentation of the canal’s history.

“The work was challenging there,” said 2nd Lt. Margret Meacham, the 117th’s press officer. “The scope of the stories was different from what I was used to.

“I felt the urgency of the mission in Panama and I wanted it to show in my stories.” Meacham is also the Oahu Consolidated Family Housing public affairs officer at Fort Shafter.

During the second week, the detachment’s coverage included jungle operations and jungle training on Panama’s Atlantic coast, and a Panamanian demonstration outside the gates of Gorgas Army Community Hospital.

“We learned that flexibility and persistence are the keys to completing our public affairs mission,” said Staff Sgt. Stephen M. Lum, the 117th ‘s newspaper editor and full-time State Department of Defense information specialist. “Finding credible news sources and dealing with itinerary changes constantly challenged our reporting. We returned home with a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses.”

By Maj. Bud Bowks

– 1989 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 3