Department of Defense

The Sept. 11, 2001, attack on New York City’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon generated a number of challenging missions in its aftermath for the entire nation.

The 29th Separate Infantry Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, supported the airport security team mission and resumed its military training focus in June 2002

– 2001 Annual Report pp. 9-10

Immediately following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th, the Federal Aviation Administration shut down all commercial air traffic across the nation. Hawaii Air National Guard F-15s from the 199th Fighter Squadron were scrambled to safely escort all remaining airliners into Honolulu and Kona’s Keahole International Airports.

With all commercial air traffic grounded for several days after the attacks, the Hawaii Air National Guard was asked to transport blood samples, on Sept. 12th, from the Blood Bank of Hawaii to Washington State for testing. The blood samples were destined for victims of the attacks but the flight was also important because all of Hawaii’s blood supplies are tested at the Washington State facility. Without proper testing, no blood donations could be used in Hawaii for those in need.

In the days after Sept. 11th, the F-15 alert posture was increased and Hawaii Air National Guard KC-135 aircraft were also placed on alert status to provide continuous coverage, protecting Hawaii’s airspace. Around the clock airspace surveillance was provided by the 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.

By late September 2001, approximately 150 HIANG members, from various units, were on active duty in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE, the homeland defense mission. On Oct. 1st, the first Hawaii Air National Guard unit was mobilized for Operation NOBLE EAGLE. The 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron at Wheeler Army Airfield was placed on federal active duty, coming under the direct operational control of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

On Oct. 7th, National Guard soldiers and airmen began security duty at airports around the nation and Hawaii National Guard soldiers and airmen began federally funded security duty at Honolulu International Airport. Guard soldiers and airmen would be seen at neighbor isle airports that same week. The majority of Guard members at airports were from the Hawaii Army National Guard, but several HIANG members also participated. . .

In total, more than 900 members of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard personnel were placed on active duty for Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NOBLE EAGLE. Approximately 600 were from the Air Guard.

– 2001 Annual Report pp. 13-14

Hawaii National Guard protects lives, performs humanitarian missions

The Hawaii National Guard became actively involved in supporting missions related to the terrorist attacks at New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon almost immediately after the tragic events began to unfold.

Air Guard flies into action

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, shortly after 7:00 a.m., the 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, launched two F-15 Eagle fighter jets, under the direction of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), to escort civilian airliners still in the air into Honolulu International Airport. Then, about an hour later, two more F-15s and a KC135 Stratotanker from the Hawaii Guard’s 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, were launched in support of the protective mission. The aircraft were scrambled as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of Hawaii’s residents, and as always, in performance of it’s around the clock air defense mission, Hawaii Guard controllers from the 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron were monitoring the airspace above the Hawaiian Islands.

Guard soldiers augment airport security

That morning, Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano announced the partial activation of the Hawaii National Guard and a Quick Reaction Force was assembled at Honolulu International Airport to assist civilian law enforcement agencies with supplemental security. After Honolulu International Airport reopened on Thursday, Sept. 13th, Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers were clearly visible at curbside and within the terminal to act as a deterrent against any further attacks.

On Oct. 7, Army Guard returned to the airports on an expanded mission to include beefed-up security at airports on all major islands. The teams will be staffed with many soldiers who have volunteered. The activation is project to last at least six months.

Stratotanker flies blood samples to Washington state

On Sept. 12th, a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, flew a mission to McChord Air Force Base in Washington state. On board the aircraft were boxes of blood samples destined for a testing facility in Puget Sound, Wash., where nearly all donated blood must be tested before it can be used. The blood had been collected by the Blood Bank of Hawaii in response to the terrorist attacks. Hawaii Air Guard personnel and aircraft have been at the ready to fly humanitarian or protective missions on a moment’s notice since the time of the terrorist attacks. “We’re more than happy to go and do our part,” said the 203rd’s Lt. Col. Steve Su’a-Filo.

– 2001 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 1

We have all been shocked and saddened by the terrorist attacks of September 11th, now we must do all we can in our nation’s fight against terrorism. On the front page of this issue, we highlight some of the ways in which the Hawaii National Guard has already assisted in that effort. No doubt, we will be doing even more in the weeks and months ahead. America faces a well-organized and sophisticated enemy. We owe it to ourselves – and as President Bush has said – to all future generations, to stop it, eliminate it and destroy it at its core. We in the Hawaii National Guard are part of that plan -from patrolling the airport, to flying protective missions, to helping control Hawaii’s airspace. I want to thank all of our soldiers and airmen who are working very diligently to help protect our State and nation.

– 2001 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Guard airmen, soldiers on presidential call-up for anti-terrorism missions

Controllers’ full-time mission improves efficiency

Story and photos by Master Sgt. Val Gempis

Increased operation tempo to meet any air defense requirements, faster pace upgrade training and a lot more appreciation from the public, are some of the benefits of the placement to active duty status of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron in October. Squadron members said they are glad and ready to meet the challenge.

“We’re very enthusiastic and very proud that we are making an important contribution to the defense of our nation,” said Lt. Col. Dewey Arakawa, who assumed command of the Wheeler Army Airfield based unit in July. The 169th is responsible for the air defense of the Hawaiian Air Defense Region. Its mission is to detect and identify aircraft entering the Hawaiian airspace and to provide intercept information to fighters scrambled for identification of unknown aircraft. Within a few hours after the attacks, the controllers at the command center, known as the Hawaii Region Air Operations Center, were in contact and directing F-15 fighter aircraft from the Hawaii Air Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron providing air defense over the island.

Arakawa said that his unit, whose mission has always been air defense 24 hours a day, seven days a week, since 1958, has been busy even before the terrorist attacks. After Sept. 11, they underwent a dramatic shift in their work schedule. He said that the activation of his unit, which meant that they can utilize their full staff now, enabled them to have a more flexible, stable and better-balanced operation to accomplish their tasks. Before some of his troops were limited to a 40-hour work- week. Others, like the traditional Guardmembers, only reported twice a week annually. With the activation, they have now more resources and appropriate manning needed to support any air defense, including force protection requirements. “Every individual here has stepped forward and is doing a great job,” said Arakawa.

With the increased manning they’ve also now been able to speed up their upgrade training program. “This has been a win-win situation for us,” according to Master Sgt. Garret Miura, radio maintenance manager at Mount Kaala Air Force Station, located about 4,000 feet above sea level on the northern part of the island. Miura, who has been with the Hawaii Guard for over 38 years, said that more people means that he can now have trainees and trainers working together consistently. Normally, it takes about eight months for a technician and up to three years for a traditional guardsmembers to fulfill their initial upgrade training. “This activation can cut that training time in half. It’s been great,” said Miura.

Staff Sgt. Glenn Hayase, a radio maintenance technician, said that it’s real gratifying to know that they are needed and essential in the defense of the nation and the state. It’s really great how much more received from the public since they were tapped to be on active duty. Before when people find out that he is in the Guard, often the reaction was a somber ‘Oh!’ implying that’s it’s “just the Guard”.

Now when they hear about him being a “Guardsman” it’s more like’Wow!’followed by inquisitive questions about his unit’s vital role in protecting the island against “The Hawaii National terrorist threats. “Before people assumed that the active-duty military folks did all of the work. But now they are beginning to realize and appreciate more what we do,” he added. This has given them a new sense of worth. He said that his family is very proud of him. “It’s almost self-fulfilling”.

Master Sgt. Russell Ishizuka, the squadron’s first sergeant and a traditional Guardsman works for the state housing department. On the morning of Sept. 11th he was watching the news for the traffic reports before going to work he saw that the World Trade Center was under attack. He said that what happened was horrible and totally unbelievable. He normally takes the kids to school and then goes to work, but that day would be different. His sense of came to him after he dropped off his kids. He turned around, went home, put on his uniform and drove straight to his duty station. Like many others in his outfit, Ishizuka reported to work that day without being recalled and hasn’t been back to his civilian job since. He said that being on active duty is a lot of sacrifice for him and his family but being there motivates him gives him a sense of belonging. “There’s no other greater feeling than being able to serve your country,” he added.

Rear operations center activation supports homeland security mission

By Maj. Charles J. Anthony

On October 19th, 18 members of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) Detachment Rear Operations Center (251D DROC), Hawaii Army National Guard, were called to active duty to support Hawaii’s homeland security mission. The unit has been mobilized to assist 25th Infantry Division staff and facilitate the planning and execution of new force protection missions. The unit has been assigned to support new Joint Rear Area Coordinator-Hawaii (JRAC-HI) mission requirements to operationally employ joint rear area operational forces to protect base/in stallation clusters, critical civilian infrastructure, support DoD assets and quick reaction forces to reinforce first responder operations.

Unit personnel include a combat engineer, a tactical intelligence officer, a chemical officer, an NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) NCO, a fire support sergeant, an intelligence analyst and other operations and support personnel.

The 251D DROC routinely trains with the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and was established to maintain continuity for division rear operations. The unit was federally recognized in 1992 and is headquartered at Pearl City, Oahu. The unit’s stated mission is to plan, coordinate and direct execution of rear security, terrain management, movement control and area damage-control in Support of division operations.

–  2001 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 1 & 4

Command Notes

It looks as though we’re going to be ending this year and beginning the next on a high note-in contrast to the dark days of just a few months ago. Al Qaeda forces and the Taliban have been routed out of Afghanistan and the military operations known as ENDURING FREEDOM and NOBLE EAGLE have been very successful. We have a lot to be proud of since the events of September 11th. Everyone in the State of Hawaii, Department of Defense has worked very hard and has greatly contributed to the defense of our state and nation. Our State Civil Defense division and our Army and Air National Guard divisions have established very close working relationships with federal, State and county agencies in order to form one of the strongest anti-terrorism alliances in the nation. We have interagency plans and procedures in place that are now the model for other states to emulate. This total team approach is helping to ensure Hawaii’s safety and economic wellbeing. Our State Civil Defense and the HIARNG’s Plans and Operations Military Support Office have worked very hard on plans to protect Hawaii’s critical infrastructure. The number of soldiers and airmen who have been, or are on active duty, since September 11th in support of homeland defense is too numerous to list, but I would like to thank the members of the Hawaii National Guard Quick Reaction Force and the following units: the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, which is the principal unit for airport security on Oahu; the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, which is contributing the bulk of neighbor island airport security forces; the 199th Fighter Squadron, 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, 204th Airlift Squadron, 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 154th Aircraft Generation Squadron, 154th Security Forces Squadron and the 25th Infantry Division (Light) Detachment Rear Operations Center. As the article on page one states, the 169th was mobilized to handle the increased requirements for protecting Hawaii’s airspace since September 11th and their data links to the fighter squadron’s F-15s help keep Hawaii safe from the air.

– 2001 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Airport security increased during holidays

By Sgt. Wendy M. Hirasa

The long line of people await their turn to be scanned with metal detector wands and their bags screened through the x-ray machine in what seems to be just another routine check to enter the Honolulu International Airport.

But at this location at the commuter terminal, six Hawaii National Guard soldiers stand post behind the security-screening checkpoint with M-16 rifles slung on to their shoulder. A “Welcome to Hawaii” banner hangs in the background.

Throughout the airport, other soldiers are in place to serve as a visible, heavily armed deterrent to those who seek to attack our country and its people~ The tour of duty that began in early October has been relatively quiet one so far.

The soldiers are also here to assist airport law enforcement officers if any incidents should arise and ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration updated procedures are properly executed by the screeners, said Cpl. R. Huerbana, gunner with the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery. The soldiers received training in the F AA’s policies and procedures prior to being placed at these posts.

America was attacked on Sept. 11. Our homeland has become a battleground. The soldiers of the HING have been called into action to protect and preserve our country and its people. Nineteen year-old, Pfc. S. Yim has been in the HING for two years and was ready to serve his country. “I was mad about the incident that happened on Sept. 11 and I want to help out in any way that I can.”

– 2001 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Hawaii Guard turns over airport security mission

By Pupukahi and Governor’s staff

With the click of highly polished boots and a resounding Hiki No!. members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery marched away from check-point #2 at Honolulu International Airport on April 15, bringing to a close one of the most visible missions in the war on terrorism. On that day, Honolulu International became the first major airport in the country to turn over supplemental security duties from the National Guard to Transportation Security Administration trained personnel. The Hawaii National Guard stood down its presence at airports on the neighbor islands on May 10.

“The Hawaii National Guard played an essential role in protecting our State at a crucial time and performed their duties admirably,” said Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano. “The Guard’s presence provided a strong sense of security and safety for our people and our visitors, who all rely on air travel to get around our island state.”

On Sept. 11, 2001, Cayetano became the first state chief executive in the nation to order National Guard troops on State Active Duty to help secure an international airport in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Then, on Oct. 7, 2001, Pres. George W. Bush authorized the use of the National Guard to assist civil authorities with airport security, using federal funds.

“When the history of the war on terrorism is written, the National Guard presence at U.S. airports will be seen as a major symbol of America’s resolve to protect her people and our way of life,” said Maj. Gen. Edward L. Correa Jr., state adjutant general and commander of the Hawaii National Guard. “I am very proud of all of Hawaii’s citizen soldiers and airmen who were willing to take a stand against terrorism and ensure that our air transportation, the life-blood of our economy, was safe.”

At its peak, more than 200 Hawaii National Guard soldiers and airmen were placed on federal active duty to help secure seven major airports across the state. “The majority of passengers, when they’d pass us, they’d say ‘thanks for being here. We appreciate you being here. Keep up the good work”, said Staff Sgt. Charles McDowell, one of the HIARNG soldiers who stood post at Honolulu lntemational Airport.

– 2002 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 1