Department of Defense

Air Guard to get tankers

The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force announced, April 15, that the 154th Composite Group will be receiving four KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. The tankers will add a new dimension to the group’s overall mission capabilities. The “R” model tankers, modified versions of the KC-135A, are 98% quieter and use 27% less fuel than the earlier model, according to a General Electric field service representative.

The group will activate the 154th Air Refueling Squadron in 1993, in conjunction with the arrival of the tankers. An initial cadre of 10 to 12 technicians is being recruited, pending National Guard Bureau employment approval, Oct. 1. The organizational concept is a combined operations/ maintenance squadron made up of more than 200 military positions, to include more than 100 air technicians.

The initial recruitment for air technicians began in June. The selection process to fill operations and maintenance positions will begin in mid-1992. Hiring of support technicians ( medical, personnel, supply) will be scheduled at a later date.

Lt. Col. James Hussey, program manager, and Chief Master Sgt. Jack Uhrig, assistant program manager, will manage the start up of the new squadron. Hawaii Air Guard members who are considering transferring or crosstraining into the new unit may contact Hussey or Uhrig (449-7745) or Master Sgt. Iris Kabazawa (4497794).

– 1991 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Air Guard gets first KC-135R

By Gaye S. Sakamoto

The first of five KC-135R Stratotankers to become part of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s (HlANG) newest squadron arrived at Hickam Air Force Base (AFB), Dec. 4. The refueling aircraft will be flown and maintained by the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS), which will be activated Feb. 12.

Originally from Castle AFB in California, the KC-135R was flown to Hickam by Lt. Col.James M. Hussey, and his crew: Capt. Stephen L. Su’a-Filo, pilot; Maj. Edwin A. Vincent Jr., navigator; Tech. Sgt Stephen V. Cid, boom operator; and maintenance crew members, Master Sgt. Vincent J. Ramos and Staff Sgt Michael J. McGann.

With a Hawaiian flag waving from the cockpit, the refueling aircraft taxied in before a cheering crowd of family and HIANG members. As it rolled to a stop, Chief Master Sgt. Jack W. Uhrig, production control superintendent, gave an enthusiastic thumbs up sign to the crew — mission accomplished! Nancy S. Williama Lt. Col. James M. Hussey, aircraft commander, receives a hug from a member of the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) after his crew delivered the unit’s rU”St KC-13SR Stratotanker to Hickam Air Force Base, Dec 4.

They were greeted by Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Allen M. Mizumoto, HIANG commander, and Lt Col. Walter K. Kaneakua Jr., 203rd ARS commander, before being presented flower leis by the welcoming crowd.

The 203rd ARS will be the only KC-135 refueling unit stationed in Hawaii. The squadron will be staffed by 112 full-time and 81 drill-status members. The 203rd is scheduled to receive an other aircraft in January, two more in April and the last in May 1993.

The tankers will provide in- theater air-to-air refueling resources for the U.S. Pacific Air Forces. In addition to refueling, the Stratotanker is capable of carrying up to 83,000 pounds of cargo and/or 60 personnel.

The KC-135R is a derivative of the Boeing 707. The aircraft was re-engined with a CFM 56 engine, giving it increased thrust and takeoff gross weight, an increased radius of operation, and a shorter takeoff distance. Other extensive modifications include stronger anding gear, a re-skinned aircraft surf ace, greater fuel efficiency, and a decreased noise footprint.

Capt. Su’a-filo, a Kahuku High School graduate, commented, “This is only the first of many to come. I am sure nothing but success will come out of this squadron.”

– 1992 November – December Pūpūkahi pp. 1

In December 1992, the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron (AREFS) received the first of five refurbished KC-135R Stratotankers. On Feb. 12, 1993, the 203rd AREFS was given federal recognition, and an activation ceremony was held in Hangar 35 at Hickam Air Force Base, the new maintenance hangar for the squadron. The operations branch of the 203rd moved into building 2155 near Hickam Tower. The inaugural flight of the first operational KC-135, “Hoku Pa’a,” was conducted on March 16, 1993. The first mission included an aerial refueling operation with a C-5 Galaxy and “touch and go’s” at Barbers Point Naval Air Station.

– 1993 Annual Report pp. 17

203rd Air Refueling Squadron activated

By Gaye S. Sakamoto

The 2O3rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS), Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG), was federally recognized in an activation ceremony at Hickam Air Force Base (AFB), Feb. 12.

A large crowd of Guard members, friends and families came to celebrate the occasion. Also attending were U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka; Hawaii State Representative Emilio Alcon; Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, state adjutant general; and Maj. Gen. Ronald W. Iverson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

At a time when active duty forces are facing significant cutbacks, the 203rd ARS will allow the HIANG to provide essential services to maintain readiness across a broad spectrum of contingencies in the Pacific. The 203rd will support refueling operations for the 154th Group and PACAF.

The squadron will have five tankers by the end of May. Each will be named after a Hawaiian star. The first aircraft was named Hoku-pa’a — the nonh star.

The HIANG is one of the first National Guard units to have KC-135s equipped with drogue pods, in addition to the refueling boom, enabling the tankers to refuel different types of aircraft without landing between refuelings The tankers are also equipped with refueling receptacles, allowing fuel to be transferred from other aircraft to the tanker.

The203rd is commanded by Lt Col. Walter K. Kaneakua. Kaneakua served in the active Air Force for nearly 20 years and is a senior pilot, with more than 2,900 flying hours.

– 1993 January – February Pūpūkahi pp. 1