Department of Defense

Guard soldiers support Operation Desert Shield

Story and photo by
Staff Sgt. Dennis Y. Fujii
117th PAD

For several Hawaii Army National Guard mechanics, supporting Operation Desert Shield is like going to a weekend drill.

Sgt. Kenneth Risso from the 291st Maintenance Company automotive platoon, like the rest of America, has heard of National Guard and Reserve units being called up to support Operation Desert Shield.

However, for Risso and his brother, Spec. Steve Risso, spending their September and November drills at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air station not only helped the Marines prepare their amphibious tracked vehicles (AMTRAK) for shipment to the Middle East, but provided Army National Guard mechanics with training they would not ordinarily receive.

“About 15 tracked-vehicle and turret mechanics from the 291st Maintenance Company spent one day each month working with active-duty and reserve Marine mechanics,” said Warrant Officer candidate Michael Silva, platoon leader from the 291st. Through Silva’s initiative and discussion with the Marines at Kaneohe, Hawaii Army National Guard mechanics from the 291st Maintenance Company got to work on the tracked vehicles left behind by the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield.

“Two years ago, the platoon performed their two weeks of annual military training at Kaneohe helping the Marines because they are the only military unit in Hawaii that has tracked vehicles,” added Silva.

“For some of our people. the only hands-on training they received was at their initial military specialty training school and when the one tracked vehicle which belongs to the Hawaii Army National Guard requires work,” said Silva.

“The only thing they (the Marines) didn’t do was ‘leave em runnin’,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Larry Strain, noncommissioned officer in charge of maintenance at Kaneohe.

Stationed at Camp Butler in Okinawa, Strain was brought to Hawaii to help organize the repair and maintenance of the Marines’ tracked vehicles.

“When the 1st MEB received orders to deploy. they left their vehicles where they were. We had to recover one AMTRAK from the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island,” said Strain. Vehicles were left in various states of disrepair with no indication of what needed to be completed.

Aided by 15 Marine reservists, two active-duty Marines on temporary assignment from Georgia and the 15 maintenance company mechanics. the Marine Corps tracked vehicle motor pool worked hard to get the equipment ready for shipping. “We’ve come a long way from what was here,” reflected Strain.

“This is great, “said Sgt. Randall Imo, inspector for the automotive platoon. “Being able to work on these Marine vehicles provided us with a great deal of training.”

– 1990 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 3

The Hawaii National Guard (HING), like many other U.S. military organizations, did not directly participate in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. However, the HING supported the effort by providing C-130 air transportation for the “Coral Run” to Johnston and Midway Islands. Following the February 27 ceasefire, the department led a statewide effort to personally greet 8,500 service members returning from the Persian Gulf. HING units also participated in numerous welcome home parades and celebrations throughout the state. In August, four Army medical specialists were sent to Saudi Arabia to treat American and allied military personnel.

– 1991 Annual Report pp. 1

The Hawaii Air National Guard, like military organizations everywhere, felt the impact of the events which transpired in the Persian Gulf. While HIANG units were not activated for Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, some helped to fill the voids left by deployed forces.

In January, the 154th Composite Group took over aircraft runs to Johnston and Midway Islands for the Air Force’s 834th Airlift Division. Dubbed “Coral Run,” the mission provided channel airlift three times a week to the South Pacific islands. Between January and March, the C-130 aircrew logged more than 126 hours and transported 995 passengers and 485,096 pounds of cargo.

Security at American military bases around the world was stepped up during this period, and the 154th Security Police Flight was called on to secure HIANG aircraft at Hickam AFB. Activeduty military police, who would have usually provided this support, had been deployed to the Middle East

– 1991 Annual Report pp. 12

In August of 1990, a person by the name of Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. On that very day we canceled a scheduled island cargo mission to airlift 300 marines back from Pohakuloa Training Area to Kaneohe MCAS in preparation for shipping out to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield.
And with the onset of Desert Storm in 1991. We participated in flying the Pacific “Coral Channel” providing airlift for Kwajalein Atoll, and Johnston and Midway Islands. This allowed the US Air Force to free up the C-141 fleet for duty in the Persian Gulf. We continued doing these missions for the duration of the Desert Shield/Desert Storm campaign.

– Five Decades of Service Excellence Hawaii Air National Guard Golden Anniversary 1946-1996 pp. 45

Leis of aloha greet returning troops

The Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, and State Departments of Transportation, Education and Defense are leading the effort to welcome back the Hawaii-based troops of Operation Desert Storm. The organizations are providing leis and greeters to welcome home all returning military personnel.

So far, the Chamber and DOE have donated more than 4,500 and 5,000 leis, respectively. Since March, Hawaii Army National Guard recruiters from the headquarters and the various recruiting offices have picked up leis from more than 30 schools islandwide. Oahu recruiters have driven from Nanakuli to Kaaawal to collect leis; neighbor island donations are being coordinated through neighbor island Guard units. The leis, made either of fresh flowers or nonperishable materials such as paper and yarn, are made by the students and labelled with the child’s name, grade and school. Some children even include a personal message to the unknown recipient.

Although recruiting personnel scramble during the workday, it is the DoD lei greeters and drivers who must make it to the airport between 11 p.m.-7 a.m., seven days a week, to meet the arriving planes at Hickam Air Force Base and Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station. The greeters belong to various Hawaii Army and Air Guard units, and most are female although a few men have come out to welcome the returning female soldiers; Volunteers wear aloha attire and greet each soldier with a lei and a warm, “Welcome home!”

Of the 10,000, military per sonnel deployed from Hawaii, only about 5,000 have come home so..far. This means there will be lots of opportunities to make more leis and to be a part of this massive homecoming effort. See you out there! (more photos on page 6)

– 1991 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Cargo aircraft supports mission: Coral Run

Since Jan. 23, the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Composite Group has been providing aircraft support for John ton and Midway Islands. Known as “Coral Run,” the mission entail providing channel airlift three times a week to the two islands.

The Johnston tasking covers an 850-mile trip and a direct nine-hour commitment of the aircraft and crew. The Midway tasking is a 1,200- mile trip involving an 11 ½-hour commitment.

The Air Force’s 834th Airlift Division, which usually handles the runs, was pulled to support Desert Storm operations.

The C-130 aircrew has logged more than 126 hours from January through March, transporting 995 passengers and 485,096 pounds of cargo.

– 1991 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Visitor industry helps welcome home troops

Hawaii’s visitor industry is honoring returning American and Allied armed forces with a special “Aloha R & R” program. The industry, including airlines, hotels and other companies, is offering discounts of 50 percent or more for all active and active reserve U.S. military personnel and their dependents and all allied Desert Storm forces.

Gov. John Waihee said, “This is our special way of expressing gratitude to . the men and women who brought us victory in the Persian Gulf. The spirit of aloha is a gift which we give proudly to our armed forces and their families who sacrificed so much for us.” He also thanked the visitor industry for the “extraordinary expression of gratitude.”

Begun on March 15, the Aloha R & R program will run for nine months. Travel taken under the program must be completed by Dec. 15.

Persons wanting more information can contact SATO, LIFECO or base special service travel offices. Informational brochures are available from the Hawaii Visitors Bureau.

– 1991 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Hawaii National Guard helps honor the warriors

Oahu and Big Island salute the troops

May was a busy month for hundreds of Hawaii National Guard members who either participated in or helped with preparations for elaborate welcome home parades on Oahu and Hawaii. On Oahu, the Guard helped to organize and assist with the city-sponsored Ho’ohanohano a Koa (Honor the Warriors) parade, May 11. More than 100 marching units, including the Royal Guard, 111th Army Band and 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate), marched past a reviewing stand fronting the City Hall lawn. Filling the 200-seat reviewing stand were military and civic leaders. including Brig. Gen. Edward V. Richardson. the state adjutant general.

In addition to the marching units, several flybys and flyovers were conducted by the different military branches. The Hawaii Air National Guard and the Arirnna Air ational Guard each flew F-15 flyovers. The Eagles were joined by AH-IS Cobra, UH-1H Huey and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters from the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Hundreds of parade goer also visited the military static displays set up at Magic Island. In addition to its popular field bakery unit, the Army Guard displayed a variety of hardware. Including a high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) mounted with an anti-tank missile system, a heavy expanded mobility tactical truck (HEMMT) wrecker/ recovery vehicle, an artillery radar, a 102mm Howitzer and an AH-IS Cobra helicopter. Air Guard exhibits included a combat communication mobile radar unit, blood pressure taking booth, and security police hardware display.

The Guard, with the help of many volunteers, distributed more than 5,000 paper leis to troops and veterans marching in the parade. Family support group members and the University of Hawaii Rainbow Dancers were among the volunteers helping to give out the leis, which were made by school children for returning Desert Storm personnel.

The Hawaii Guard also assisted with a second homecoming parade on the Big Island, May 25. Organized by the Koa Motorcycle Club, the Memorial weekend parade received support from the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, and 291st Combat Communications Squadron.

In addition to a color guard and marching and vehicle units, the Hilo units set up several static displays on the AfookChinen Civic Auditorium grounds. The Hawaii Air National Guard also conducted an F-15 flyby and the Army Guard a UH-1H and OH-58 helicopter flyover. Also appearing in the parade were the ceremonial Royal Guard and Gen. Richardson, who represented Gov. John Waihee.

– 1991 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

Hawaii Guard medics deploy to Saudi Arabia

Four Hawaii Army National Guard soldier deployed to Saudi Arabia, Aug. 17. Staff Sgt. Gary Acker, Staff Sgt. Robert D. Mumby, Spec. Robert J. Cobangbang and Spec. Matthew R. Patterson. members of Company C (Medical), 29th Support Battalion, are on duty in Dhahran.

The four will treat American and allied military personnel for disease, heat exposure and minor accidental injuries. They are attached to the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 216th Ambulance Company and working in the same platoon. The company is comprised of National Guard soldiers from several states.

Acker went to Saudi Arabia because he has valuable experience to offer. A medical specialist at the end of the Vietnam War, he is a licensed practical nurse at Tripler Army Medical Center. He is married and has a 9- year old son and 8-year old twin daughters.

An information specialist for the City and County of Honolulu, Mumby wants to update his medical and military skills. He also looks forward to learning about Mideast culture. While she would prefer him to stay in Hawaii, Mumby’s wife is accepting of her husband’s assignment.

Cobangbang is a psychiatric assistant at Queen’s Medical Center. Like the others, he is anxious to use his training in a real-life situation. Cobangbang says his family is proud of him, especially his father, who is a Navy retiree.

Patterson views the assignment as a personal challenge and is both excited and nervous about going to the region. His family is supportive, although his parents “didn’t believe it until they saw the (military) orders.”

Mumby, Cobangbang and Patterson left Hawaii on Aug. 10 for processing at Fort Dix, N.J.; they were joined by Acker, who left Hawaii earlier to visit his relatives on the mainland.

– 1991 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 1 & 4