Department of Defense

On Aug. 30, 1994, the 29th Hawaii Army National Guard Infantry Brigade (Separate) was officially selected as one of the National Guard’s 15 enhanced readiness combat brigades. Those units will receive the best equipment, additional funds for training, and other support to guarantee that they are ready for combat within 90 days after mobilization.

– 1994 Annual Report pp. 11

Command notes

The March 14 edition of the “Army Times” reported that the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) will be selected in the near future as one of 15 enhanced readiness brigades. This would put the Hawaii Army National Guard in the forefront as one of the premier Guard units in the country. However, this is not a done deal. The plan still has to be approved by the secretaries of the Defense Department and the Army, and by Congress. An official announcement is not expected before June. The Army Guard will pare down to 37 brigades of which 15 will be “enhanced,”meaning they will be equipped, resourced and trained to deploy in 90 days or less after the call to mobilize. Guard soldiers would have to maintain very high but fair standards.

– 1994 February – March Pūpūkahi pp. 2

The Hawaii ARNG’s 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) is being considered as one of the “enhanced readiness” brigades. Enhanced brigades will receive the necessary resources to bring its readiness up to the highest readiness level required. This would be a great honor and also a real challenge for all of us in the Guard. For example, personnel strength levels will be set at 105 percent, to insure a deployable strength of 100 percent. This will be a tough test, but with the kind of performance you have demonstrated in past challenges, I’m confident that we will be able to meet this one in the same outstanding fashion. This designation along with the previously announced decisions on the acquisition of the CH-47 medium-lift helicopters, UH60 utility helicopters, and the Air Guard’s acquisition of additional C-130 cargo planes and KC-135 tankers allow us to plan for some very challenging and exciting training for all of the soldiers in the Guard. The future is beginning to become clearer for the ARNG, and the picture looks bright for the Hawaii Army National Guard!

– 1994 February – March Pūpūkahi pp. 6

Command notes

The Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) is under going its most dramatic change in the last quarter century. Many people are working very hard to make the modifications that will result in a more capable organization. I want to thank them for their continuing contributions. As with any major change, however, there is a certain amount of concern in the organization, and we need to recognize that.

A key factor in that change is the selection of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) as one of the 15 elite enhanced readiness brigades in the National Guard. The selection is an honor and a tribute to the unit’s performance both on federal status and on state active duty during callups such as Operation Iniki.

This change will bring additional resources to the brigade, and it will also require that it achieves the highest levels of readiness in the Army’s reserve components. It must be able to deploy a full complement of soldiers and equipment anywhere in the world in 90 days.

The change will also mean that a portion of the brigade will be based on the mainland. The flags of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, and Troop E, 19th Cavalry, will go to California and Oregon respectively. Although we regret the loss of these units, it is our share of the downsizing process that the entire military is going through. We value the contributions of all of our soldiers in the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, and Troop E, 19th Cavalry, and are making every attempt to place, each in another position that will allow them to continue to contribute, to retain their rank, and to complete at least 20 good years for retirement. We have taken similar steps in the reorganization of our aviation units.

As part of the transition to an enhanced brigade, we recently hosted a joint conference with all of the players active duty, National Guard and Army Reserve, who have a role in the enhanced brigade’s success. It was a meeting with friends we have worked with for years on other projects. We received strong support from Lt. Gen. Robert Ord, USARPAC commander, as well as from Maj. Gen. George A Fisher, 25th Infantry Division (Light) commander. General officers from the California and Oregon Guard affirmed their states’ commitment to the brigade’s success, as did the senior leadership of the Army Reserve.

Airlift was committed to ensure that the brigade’s soldiers have access to the most challenging training opportunities, wherever they may be. I was also very impressed with the team from the National Guard Bureau who met with us on behalf of Maj. Gen. John R. D’Araujo to ensure that our needs are addressed at the national level.

Our enhanced brigade will be a part of the most capable joint military organization in the country. The HIARNG’s new Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters in the Troop Command units will give it the mobility it needs within the state, either during training or to execute state missions. The Hawaii Air National Guard’s C-130s and KC-135s will allow the brigade’s troops to come together for training no matter where their armories are.

– 1994 August – September Pūpūkahi pp. 2

In September 1995, Hawaii’s 29th Infantry will become one of the 15 elite enhanced readiness brigades within the National Guard. This distinction means that brigade soldiers must be able to deploy anywhere in the world within 90 days should they be activated into federal duty.

– 1995 Annual Report pp. 8

Hawaii Infantry Brigade prepares for Louisiana in 1999

By 2nd Lt. Jeffrey D. Hickman

Nestled between Mauna Kea and Mauna loa on the Big Island of Hawaii’s Pohakuloa Training Area-home to dust, chilly nights, lava and more several thousand soldiers for the HawaiiArmy National Guard’s annual training exercises held in July. With the Joint Readiness Training Center deployment right around the comer, the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade’s mission is to prepare for training year 1999. Brigade units from American Samoa, Oregon and California joined forces with ”Hawaii’s Own,” and a unit fromAustralia, to make this year’sAT a training success.

Civilian, as well as military commanders, visited their troops during annual training. Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Edward L. Correa Jr., Hawaii Army Guard commander, led a list of VIPs who were escorted into the field to see how training was being conducted. Maj. Douglas Jackson, 103rd Troop Command personnel officer, kept up with more than ten generals wanting to mingle with the troops. “It was a challenging fast-paced job but all requirements were met and all VIPs were able to see the very best of the HawaiiArmy National Guard,” said Jackson.

The National Guard also provided the civilian employers ofHawaii’s citizen/soldiers an opportunity to witness their employees perform their military duty. The bosses were able to see and experience for themselves the type of training that Army Guard soldiers go through by participating in “Guardlift ’97 .” The employers flew to Hilo on a Hawaii Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport, then to Pohakuloa Training Area via a Hawaii Army Guard CH-47D Chinook helicopter. After an orientation briefing at Bradshaw Airfield they were trucked out to an artillery demonstration held by the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery. Following the “fire for effect,” the employers were separated.and then taken to their employees units for a hearty MRE (meals-ready-to-eat) lunch. The last event of the day for the energetic group was an orientation fire with M-16’s. Their day ended with a Chinook ride back to Hilo and the return flight to Oahu on the C-130.

Both the 298th Engineer Detachment and 227th Engineer Company were kept busy. The 298th spent their AT at Keaukaha Military Reservation, Hilo Armory and on Maui (engineers story in detail on page 1). The combat engineers of the 227th had a very busy AT up at PrA, as well as the road building mission on Maui. They supported the brigade with the laying the of barbwire, the constructing fighting positions and the improving of roads with cinder.

Also supporting operations at PTA were Company C (Medium Lift), 193rd Aviation. Their Ch-4 7D Chinook helicopters were busy flying soldiers up and down the hill and from Hilo to Oahu.

– 1997 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 4

In May, the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Separate Infantry Brigade marked the thirtieth anniversary of its Vietnam call up. Throughout 1998, preparations continued for the brigade’s deployment to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, La., in June 1999.

– 1998 Annual Report pp. 1

The 29th Separate Infantry Brigade conducted a series of training events in preparation for the Brigade’s 1999 rotation through the Joint Training Readiness Center at Fort Polk, La. JRTC provides infantry brigades of the active Army and the National Guard with realistic joint and combined arms training under tough, realistic combat-like conditions second only to actual war. It is considered the premier tactical field exercise for infantry brigades that focuses on developing soldiers, leaders, and units for success on future battlefields.

• The staff of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade participated in the leaders training program at Fort Polk, La., and participated in three command post exercises at Schofield Barracks with the 25th Infantry Division (Light).
• The 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, deployed Company A (Kauai) and Company C (Maui) along with elements of Company B (Hawaii) to JRTC. As members of the opposing force (OPFOR), they tested their citizen-soldier training and distinguished themselves against the active Army units of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division.
• The 29th Separate Infantry Brigade conducted an ambitious annual training at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii. The exercises involved coordinating the brigade’s round-out units from Oregon, California, and American Samoa in preparation for the brigade’s visit to and evaluation at the JRTC in 1999. (The 29th Separate Infantry Brigade hosted a Joint Readiness Training Center Conference. The conference involved over 200 soldiers and airmen who will participate with the 29th Brigade at JRTC in June of 1999.

– 1998 Annual Report pp. 10-11

Command Notes

The Brigade continues to build on its legacy. Alpha and Charlie Companies of the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry recently returned from separate deployments to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, La. Both units performed outstandingly while being pitted against forces from the active-duty Army. Details of the Company C deployment can be found on page 4.

– 1998 February – March Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Hawaii soldiers perform well at Joint Readiness Training

Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Stephen M. Lum

One hundred, Maui-based, Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers returned triumphantly from annual training at Joint Readiness Training Center in March.

Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, augmented with a platoon from Kona’s Company B, assumed the role of opposing forces (OPFOR) verses the active duty 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry (Airborne), 82th Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., blue force (Americans).

After a few days of land navigation familiarization, zeroing in weapons, fine tuning of equipment and other logistics, the Hawaii Guard OPFOR, commanded by Capt Paul Tamarabuchi, set off for five days in the JRTC “box” (exercise field).

The JRTC mission is: to provide realistic joint and combined arms training focused on developing soldiers, leaders and units of our nation’s joint contingency forces for success on future battlefields; train under tough, realistic combat-like conditions across a wide range of likely tactical operations; and missions rehearsal exercises capable of fully integrating into higherlevel exercises and scenarios.

“We were out numbered three to one,” said Staff Sgt. Virgilio B. Marzon Jr., a squad leader who works full-time as a retail shop manager. “Our leadership stressed working independently and by teams.

”We’re often on our own and we depended on our survival skills to maintain an offensive edge. Soldiers average 50 pounds of gear on their back, including food, shelter and ammunition during the operation in which temperatures sometimes dropped to as low as 20 degrees.

“With the cold temperature we could have been the blue force, but the 504th Red Devils had that honor,” said Marzon.

“In the next four days,” said Tamarabuchi, “they lost five companies, numerous vehicles (including the feared German Weasel), a battalion commander, an operations and plans officer, a fire support officer, company commanders and first sergeants. We rendered the Fort Bragg unit combat ineffective at least twice during the last 10 hour battle.”

The returning Hawaiian warriors were greeting at the Honolulu Airport by Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general; Brig. Gen. Edward L. Correa Jr., HawaiiArmy Guard commander; Brig Gen. Dennis A Kamimura, 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) commander; State Command Sgt. Maj. James A. Kahalehoe Jr.; Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Mandaquit from the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry; and the family support coordinator, who echoed messages of congratulations to the 299th Infantry soldiers for showing what Hawaii’s brigade can accomplish

Kamimura and Mandaquit, former 82nd Airborne soldiers, were especially proud the Hawaii warriors bested their old unit.

– 1998 February – March Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Brigade paves road to Joint Readiness Training

By 2nd Lt. Jonathan M. Shiroma

It may be a year away, but like any world class team preparing for a high-profile event, the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Separate Infantry Brigade has begun training for what is known as the “Superbowl” of tactical exercises, JRTC.

In June of 1999, the 29th will travel to the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., for three weeks of grueling training.

“This will be the most realistic type of training on the battlefield, with the exception of war, our Hawaii soldiers will have to date,” said Brig. Gen. DennisA Kamimura, 29th Brigade commander. “That’s why it is so important that we train hard and fast during annual training (AT) this year.”

According to the JRTC mission statement, “JRTC provides tough, realistic combat-like conditions across a wide range of likely tactical operations and mission rehearsal exercises capable of fully integrating into higher level exercises and scenarios.”

With that in mind, more than 3,000 Hawaii Guard soldiers made the trek to the Pohakuloa Training Area, known as PTA on the Big Island, this June for two weeks of AT. Approximately 1,600 of these soldiers were from the brigade

“What we are doing is going over all of what we train for during our weekend drills, because when it comes right down to it, the more we practice, the better the outcome once we get to JRTC,” said Spc. Scott K. Nakamura. Nakamura is a member of the brigade’s antitank platoon’s Company D, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, based in Wahiawa, and works for Long’s Drugs in Kaneohe in his civilian life. ”We are all looking forward to the JRTC challenge and, hopefully, we will do well.”

“What we are learning is that we need to function as a team,” said Sgt. William Liboy, another member of Co. D. Liboy, who works for the City and County of Honolulu as a maintenance man in his civilian life, says that this unity keeps the morale within his platoon high. “We are highly motivated and we are ready to move out and react at any time.”

PTA is located in the middle of Mauna Loa and MaunaKea. Its desert-like terrain, unforgiving lava rock formations, numerous hills and open ranges provide great training opportunities for soldiers. While many of the Hawaii-based soldiers are quite familiar with PTA, it does present a unique challenge if you are training here for the first time as in the case of nearly 500 California National Guard soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry.

“This is foreign terrain and that’s what JRTC is going to be, and so, it’s good to get use to having to adapt to things that you’re not expecting and so I see this as a good training opportunity,” said Spc. David Bryson, a lab technician for Lenscrafters in Sacramento in civilian life.

Staff Sgt. Lanny Barnes, also with the 184th, says it is important for California soldiers to train in foreign and unfamiliar terrain. “It’s difficult, but being in the military, you have to adapt and overcome,” said Barnes, who works as a full-time adult corrections officer at the Dublin Federal Penitentiary, Calif. “We are motivated to train hard and well here in Hawaii since next year at this time, we will be at JRTC and that’s where we prove ourselves and we want to go there to kick butts and not get our butts kicked.”

With all that motivation in the air, it doesn’t hurt to hear some encouraging words from the Hawaii Guard’s commander in chief. Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano paid a visit to the troops during this AT and was very impressed with the training.

“I am very proud of the HIARNG. Wherever I go, I always hear such good things about our civilian soldiers and I know that they worked hard during these two weeks,” said Cayetano who was accompanied on the trip by Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirano. Together, they visited various units, fired the 105 millimeter howitzer and even had MRE’s with the troops for lunch.”

“Many island residents don’t realize just how hard these soldiers train, but I know everyone knows that the guard provides a valuable service to the community when they are needed such as the case of Hurricane Iniki,” said Cayetano.

Of course, many other units aside from the infantry, performed their annual training at PTA this year. Medics, administration, motor pool and the mess crews all played an important role in making up this outstanding group of soldiers.

AT ’98 was a training success and will serve as more than a memory for the entire brigade. The road of JRTC is just around the corner and will no doubt present a tremendous challenge for our leaders and soldiers … but as long as these soldiers keep the brigades motto “Ka Oihana Mamua”

– 1998 April – August Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Lava Brigade prepares for JRTC

The 29th Separate Infantry Brigade is going to the Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana – that’s a decision that no commander makes lightly.

It just isn’t cost effective use of our resources unless a unit demonstrates a proper level of proficiency prior to deployment. For the 29th Brigade, it means lethal platoons, effective fires, command and control, a staff that can produce a timely and reasonable order, and a log capability to feed its parts on time and at the right place.

Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general, decided after annual training last year that the brigade was going to JRTC. He determined that the performance demonstrated during AT ’97 ambitious training schedule leading to JRTC placed the brigade on a path for success. He was right.

AT ’98 demonstrated the 29th Brigade’s resolve to stay on course. They performed extremely well. It was the strongest signal and the ultimate expression of our soldiers will to be trained and ready to fight and win.

Our enhanced brigade included units from Troop F, 82nd Cavalry, Oregon; 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry, California; and Companies B and C, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, American Samoa, as well as the Lava Brigade’s JRTC task force units from Pennsylvania, Alabama and Washington Guard.

Critical to the 29th Brigade success at AT ’98 was the support provided by active duty:

• 196th Training Support Brigade, U.S. Army Pacific
  • Training Assessment Model evaluation
• 1st Training Support Brigade from Colorado – conducting lanes training
• 501st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light) – providing opposing forces

Special kudos to out Hawaii Guard units:

• 103rd Troop Command that moved our soldiers safely on so many missions. The CH-47D Chinook helicopter and C-26 Metroliner, as well as the Hawaii Air National Guard’s C-130 Hercules aircraft crews that moved thousand of troops from Honolulu to Hilo and Pohauloa Training Area.
• Headquarters State Area Command staff that ran base camp and provided logistical support that allowed the brigade to focus on training.

In all it was a team effort that paid off.

– 1998 April – August Pūpūkahi pp. 6

After years of preparation, the-Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Separate Infantry Brigade successfully completed its June 1999 rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The deployment validated the 29th Brigade’s ability to perform its federal mission to the U.S. Army’s highest standards. More than 2,000 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers participated.

– 1999 Annual Report pp. 1

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s year was highlighted by the deployment to-the Joint Readiness Training Center “(JRTC) in-Fort Polk, La., June 1999. JRTC is the proving ground for an infantry unit’s abilities and readiness. Evaluations at JRTC showed the HIARNG is professionally prepared to handle its war fighting mission, should the need arise.

– 1999 Annual Report pp. 3

HIARNG was the Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 99-08; Fort Polk; La. The readiness center provides infantry brigades of the active Army and the National Guard with realistic joint and combined arms training-under tough, realistic combat~like conditions that are Second only to actual war. It is considered the premier tactical field exercise for infantry brigades that focuses on developing soldiers, leaders, and units for success on the future battlefields.

After four years of train-up and countless hours of planning and coordination, Brig. Gen. Kamimura, Brigade commander, led the “Lava” Brigade Combat Team to a successful rotation through the JRTC for three weeks in June 1999. The combat team included units from 27 states, three territories and two allied nations; and more than 5,000 soldiers. It faced a premier opposing force that on its own territory has humbled many of the Army’s top-line combat brigades in the harsh simulated combat environment of JRTC. While lessons were learned and simulated casualties were traded on both sides, the 29th combat team had the distinction of being the only Army National Guard enhanced infantry brigade to not have Its tactical operation centers overrun by the opposing forces. The brigade’s exceptional performance has set the standard for other Guard and active duty units to emulate. . . .

• The HIARNG completed JRTC Rotation 99-08 at Fort Polk, La. without any class A, B, C, or D accidents or injuries. This safety achievement is significant given the magnitude and complexity of the 29th.Sill’s rotation, the war-like conditions of the exercise, and that it was only the second rotation (active Army or Army National Guard) able to make that claim.

– 1999 Annual Report pp. 12-13

Command Notes

First of all, I want to offer my congratulations to all of the soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard who deployed to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk La., in June. More than 1700 soldiers from the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, as well as personnel from the 103rd Troop Command, deployed for the three week long exercise.

Our soldiers conducted themselves in a very professional manner and gained the respect of their active-duty counterparts. Although, there is no definitive grade for units at JRTC, our soldiers received many positive comments from the evaluators and from the highest command levels. Lt. Gen. Russell C. Davis, National Guard Bureau chief and Maj. Gen. Roger C. Shultz, Army National Guard chief, both commented on how impressed they were with the brigade’s performance, morale and spirit. Brig. Gen. Samuel S. Thompson III, the Fort Polk commander, told me that our HIARNG soldiers did extremely well . Some mistakes were made, but our soldiers were willing to learn and to improve. This deployment was one of the largest JRTC exercises, involving an additional 5,000 National Guard, Reserve and active-duty soldiers from 24 other states, three territories and two foreign countries. Without question, the brigade gained a tremendous amount of experience in the field under the most difficult conditions short of actual war. That experience will greatly serve the HIARNG in years to come. I want to thank each and everyone of you who worked to make the JRTC deployment and the appreciation dinner such a success. The luau-style event was staged to recognize the five years of preparation and hard work that culminated with the effective and successful JRTC deployment. We were able to get opportune airlift with the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron and with the help of many volunteers, including retired Command Sgts. Maj. Clement Y.F. Hew and William C. Mahaulu Jr., the event was a rousing success, despite the threat of thunderstorms. Once again, the Hawaii National Guard has demonstrated that it is made up of very professional and talented members. The music and dancing were fantastic. I am very proud of all of you for your outstanding efforts. (pupukahi will feature JRTC in the summer issue.)

– 1999 Spring Pūpūkahi pp. 2

JRTC facts

• More than 5,200 soldiers participated in JRTC Rotation 99-08.
• 2,900 of those were 29th Separate Infantry Brigade soldiers (includes California, Oregon, Minnesota and American Samoa).
• There were more than 180 distinguished visitors during the rotation, ranging from senior military leaders to Congressional members and state and local officials.
• 27 states, three territories and two allied countries took part.
• The Lava Brigade took part in the second rotation in JRTC history to complete mission without a major class A to E accident. Hawaii’s active duty 25th Infantry Division (Light) was the first

– 1999 Summer – Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Lava Brigade returns from Louisiana

By Spc. Wendy R. Cook

The conflicts in the world today are increasingly changing from limited war to peacekeeping operations like Bosnia, Somalia and Haiti. For the Army to adapt to such missions and to prevent the fatal mistakes from happening, it needed to train its soldiers, not just in basic war, but in peace, civil unrest, natural disasters and other emergencies.

Hawaii deploys to Cajun country

Soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Separate Infantry Brigade were deployed in June to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, La. JRTC is the Army’s premiere infantry training center for combat and peacekeeping operations.

Since learning of the JRTC rotation five years ago, the brigade intensified training and preparations to boost their readiness for the mission.

The scenarios were based on a U.S. task force being sent to a small island nation to help them face an invading military force.

The mission of the 29th Brigade and counterparts, or BLUFOR, was to restore democracy to the fictitious islandnation of Cortina while putting the opposing force of the rebel army, or the opposition force (OPFOR), to OPFOR was played by active duty soldiers stationed at Fort Polk.

The Brigade had nine days on offensive and defensive maneuvers in the country. The first five days were movement to contact, where the troops started the occupation of Cortina, and the final four days were on the defensive from OPFOR attacks.

Even though the brigade is larger then the OPFOR battalion, it fought a smaller, quicker force that guarded its own turf. The situation simulated the conflicts and peacekeeping operations the Army is involved in today. The brigade’s mission: to overcome learn and improve against obstacles they face.

JRTC Rotation 99-08 has international flavor

The combined task force, nick-named the Lava Brigade, included soldiers from U.S. Army’s National Guard, Reserve and active components in 27 states; U.S. territory soldiers from American Samoa (Company C, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry (U.S. Army Reserve), Guam and Puerto Rico; allied soldiers from Australia and Lithuania; and airmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 199th Weather Flight.

Training experience tested

“JRTC provides the soldiers with the most challenging training experience they can ever receive short of combat. The more we can create a training environment like JRTC, the better the 29th and reserve units will be for it,” said Col. Joseph J. Chaves, 29th Brigade deputy commander. ”The soldiers were given the opportunity to learn a lot of things. It’s important now to continue to build and grow from their experience.”

Post JRTC remarks

Now that the mission is over and soldiers are back to work at home, the brigade can look to some highlights. They deployed to Louisiana, ran the mission, and redeployed in less than three months, including the shipping of equipment and vehicles. The soldiers of the Hawaii Guard had no heat casualties, no small feat with the soaring temperatures and humidity in Louisiana and they received excellent reviews in the AARs. They can also look forward to a return to JRTC in the next four to eight years.

“The soldier in the trenches, at the platoon and company level, they’ve al ways done their job,” said Brig. Gen. Dennis A. Kamimura, 29th Brigade commander. “JRTC put to the test our ability to coordinate at full brigade level. One of the objectives of the opposing force was to capture my command’s tactical operations center and the brigade support area. However, they didn’t get through. I attribute it to all the troops and leaders.”

“We’ve grown so much during our road to JRTC,” said Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the Hawaii State Adjutant General. “Before we even showed up at Fort Polk, we had already proven our ability to work as a team. The teamwork and the attitude of our troops was simply outstanding. They did a wonderful job. We are really proud of them.”

“I think the defensive battle was a significant highlight, we had the brigade fighting a motivated enemy and doing very well,” Chaves said. “The 29th did outstanding, I think we surprised a lot of people and exceeded any expectations the JRTC operational group had for a reserve component unit. Our mobilization readiness is also at a much higher level than it was prior to JRTC. I think the brigade in the future needs to work harder on fighting as a combined arms team so we can fight better as a team. The soldiers were motivated. If we told the soldiers they could go back out and fight the OPFOR some more, they would have gone.

“The 29th Brigade was a great rotation,” said Brig. Gen. Thompson. “They exhibited a great warrior spirit, I’m very proud of them.”

Lava Brigade adjusts fighting scenarios

Experts agree the key to doing well at JRTC is being flexible and willing to make changes after an AAR and the training the unit does before coming to Fort Polk.

“They (29th Brigade) have a plan that’s focused on fighting in the box, they are very aggressive. They have a very good field craft at the level of the individual soldier and small unit leaders. This is very important, if the soldiers at the lower level are up to par then it’s very easy to teach them other tasks,” Hawley said. “My advice to soldiers coming through the rotations is to study, study your CTT (common task training) and soldiers tasks, the Brigade obviously did this and this is very important to unit success.”

The JRTC rotation lasted three weeks, with preparation, operations and recovery. Taking an additional week away from the soldiers’ families and employers.

Employers visit troops at JRTC

To combat misunderstanding between civilian employers and the soldiers, the Employer Support of the
Guard and Reserve (ESGR) created the Boss Lift to help employers understand what the Guard and Reserves are all about. Each year soldiers may nominate their employer to join the Boss Lift. The lift flies employers to the area where soldiers are performing annual training for about three days. The lift includes some interesting activities such as firing a M-16 rifle, watching live fire missions, tours of the area, eating an MRE, seeing the living conditions and seeing their soldiers in action. For many employers this was the first chance they had to get a good look at the National Guard and many say the lift helped them to develop a greater understanding for their soldiers when they need time off to serve.

This year for the first time, a Bosslift toured JRTC.

“It means a lot to my employee that I came on the Boss Lift. It shows my support to him. He wants me to come out and see what he does and what the Guard is all about,” said Greg Kawasaki of the Waipahu Post Office whose employee is Sgt. Francisco Santos, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery. “Basically they are the ones who protect us. He’s keeping us safe, that’s the main thing I look at.”

This year the lift was flown to JRTC by the Hawaii Air Guard’s 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, where they were greeted by Brig. Gen. Samuel Thompson III, Fort Polk and JRTC commander. They were given several briefings, a trip to the Fort Polk Army Air field to see foreign aircraft and an MRE lunch at Alligator Lake and a bus trip through the box to see the soldiers during the exercise. The evening included a Cajun meal hosted by Brig. Gen. Edward L. Correa Jr., Hawaii Army National Guard commander.

“JRTC has truly been a crossroad to the Brigade’s future,” said Correa. “It’s been a real opportunity for soldiers to strengthen their respect for each other, for their leaders, and especially their battle buddy.”

”The Lava Brigade was recognized as only the second rotation in JRTC history to complete the exercise without a major class A to E accident. Last year, Hawaii’s 25th Infantry Division (Light), our active duty training partner, was the first to earn the safety certificate.”

After action reviews are key to learning experience

The battle was played out complete with casualties, Prisoners of War, logistical and other support operations. Each soldier, vehicle and weapon was fitted with Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES). The soldiers who were hit were considered casualties and were sent to the Aid Station and vehicles hit were considered damaged and out of commission. Like any conflict, the opposing forces could also make use of captured of weapons, people and vehicles. The weapons and vehicles could be used by the capturing force and the soldiers were sent to a POW camp where they filled sandbags and sorted trash until the end of the nine days.

At the end of the nine day exercise the Lava Brigade was given a final comprehensive after action review (AAR) on safety, number of casualties, number of objectives met and how well combat and support missions were run. During the field exercise, each unit was accompanied by an Observer/Controller (O/C) who oversaw the battle and advised those units based on what they saw.

“For the BLUFOR it has been a real difficult fight. The first day there wasn’t a lot of action because they were coming into an area that was already secured. But by the second and third days they were receiving some pretty rapid contact down Artillery and Youngstown Roads,” said Lt. Col. Steve C. Hawley, senior maneuver observer/controller who assists the brigade commander and operations staff. ”We do not grade the rotational units. There is no pass or fail about this training. We will deliberately stress the organization at their weak points until it fails. This makes them stronger. It’s a lot like weight training. You lift until you reach muscle failure; you’re sore but after a day resting those muscles you stressed are stronger than last time. We try to look at what we can do in the future as an organization. If they are going to make mistakes and take casualties we’d rather have them make it here so we can work on it.”

The JRTC rotational exercise are similar to the real world, except after every confrontation between the BLUFOR and OPFOR there is usually an AAR with the O/Cs and even the OPFOR contributing.

“The Guard and Reservists that come through on rotations do make some simple mistakes,” said Sgt. John E. Goforth, 1st Battalion, 509th Airborne Infantry, OPFOR soldier. “But they correct those mistakes as soon as we point them out, unlike an active unit that is usually a little more stubborn to change. The Guard and Reserves still have a lot more combat veterans that are actually a very experienced senior leadership, this helps them a lot.”

– 1999 Summer – Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 5 & 8