Department of Defense

The 292nd Combat Communications Squadron also deployed in January 2015 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

– 2015 Annual Report pp. 19

Hawaiian Raptors Deploy to Central Command Area of Responsibility

Story by Lt. Col. Charles Anthony Photos by A1c Robert Cabuco

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii- More than 200 members of the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) and the active duty Air Force as well as an undisclosed number of F-22 Raptors, based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam have deployed to the Central Command Area of Responsibility (CENTCOM AOR). The F-22 fighter aircraft and most of the Airmen departed from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Sept. 26. For security reasons, this deployment was announced only after the F-22 Raptors and Airmen arrived at the CENTCOM AOR base they will operate from for the next six months. Because of security considerations and host nation sensitivities, the HIANG will not release the base nor country where the Raptors are operating from, nor will the HIANG release the number of F-22 fighters that are deployed.

The Hawaiian Raptors are flown by pilots from the HIANG’s 199th Fighters Squadron and the active duty’s 19th Fighter Squadron. Maintenance and other support personnel are from the HIANG’s 154th Wing and the active duty’s 15th Wing. This is the first operational deployment for the Hawaiian Raptors. In 2010, the 199th Fighter Squadron converted to the F-22 from the F-15 Eagle and began flying the Raptors in partnership with the 19th Fighter Squadron. This is the first combat deployment for the 199th Fighter Squadron since it deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2000 to patrol the southern no-fly zone of Iraq. The 19th Fighter Squadron last deployed to Southwest Asia in 1992.

The CENTCOM AOR encompasses the area of Southwest Asia and most of the Middle East.

While some of the Hawaiian Raptors are deployed, the HIANG will continue to perform its 24 hour a day/365 days per year air defense mission, as some of the F-22s have remained in Hawaii.

– 2015 October Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Welcome Home Hawaiian Raptors

Story and Photos by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich
15th Wing Public Affairs

“It is good to be home,” said an aircraft maintainer from the 154th Maintenance Squadron. “I think that everyone did an amazing job out there. It’s unbelievable to see my family, my sons have doubled in sizes. I can’t wait to be around my family, have some good food and go to the beach.”

The Hawaiian Raptors are made up of F-22 pilots from the 199th Fighter Squadron and the active-duty 19th Fighter Squadron and are supported by the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Maintenance Squadron and the active-duty 15th Maintenance Squadron.

The deployment to the Central Command area of responsibility, marked the first operational deployment for the Hawaiian Raptors. The Central Command area of responsibility encompasses Southwest Asia and most of the Middle East. While deployed, the F-22 Raptors successfully struck a number of high-value ISIS (also known as Daesh or ISIL) targets. The Hawaiian Raptors were an integral part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Operation Inherent Resolve is an 18-nation air coalition that is driving ISIS back considerably in Iraq and Syria. ISIS has lost more than 40 percent of the populated areas it once controlled in northern Iraq and recently retreated from several key populations centers in Syria.

“Our people performed extremely well and they did it with the Aloha spirit. Maintenance did an outstanding job, and made all their taskings. We integrated well with the other coalition forces and conducted our operations flawlessly,” said one of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s pilots.

The F-22 fighter aircraft and the Airmen of the Hawaiian Raptors started this mission by departing from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in late September 2015 and all redeployed by April 8.

– 2016 May Pupukahi pp. 1

Welcome Home Re-fuelers

Photos by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson Story By Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz
Hawaii Air National Guard Public Affairs

More than 50 Hawaii Air National Guard members and three KC-135 Stratotankers from the HIANG 203rd Air Refueling Squadron returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam June 16 and 20 following a deployment to Southwest Asia.

The Airmen were deployed for four months in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Homecoming began when one group of Airman and one tanker arrived here June 16, June 20 marked the full celebration as the remaining Airmen and tankers arrived home to JBPH-H.

The Airmen were greeted in the Hawaii sunshine by family, friends, and the 154th Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. Gregory Woodrow.

“It’s great to have our Airmen home, they represented the HIANG and the nation with honor and distinction.” said Woodrow. “I consistently get incredibly positive feedback on the professionalism and Aloha our members bring to the fight. Way to represent while serving the nation’s call!”

HIANG’s 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, along with flight and maintenance crews and other support personnel from the 154th Wing were part of an 18-nation air coalition engaged in the fight against Daesh or ISIS.

Aerial refueling makes it possible to extend the range and persistence of coalition air operations in Iraq and Syria, enabling the United States and coalition aircraft to maintain a 24/7 presence over areas of Daesh operations. The 203rd ARS has deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility numerous times. This latest deployment was part of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation.

– 2016 June Pupukahi pp. 1

Hawaii Air Refuelers Arrive Home

154th Wing Public Affairs
Story by Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz – Friday, November 10, 2017

Airmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard and three KC-135 Stratotankers recently returned home following a six-month deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Airmen and aircraft from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, along with Maintenance and support personnel from the 154th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 154th Maintenance Squadron returned over the course of a week with the first group of airmen and aircraft arriving on October 30 and a second group celebrating the homecoming on November 5.

Deployment durations for individual Airmen ranged from more than two months to six months. In all, more than 90 HIANG airmen deployed during the six month period.

While deployed the airmen refueled U.S. and other coalition aircraft striking ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.

“It’s what we train for every day,” said a returning 203 ARS boom operator. For security purposes the HIANG is not releasing the names of any of airmen that deployed. “We forward deploy around the world and give gas when needed.”

The aircrews flew more than 300 missions, off loading more than seven million pounds of fuel to just over 600 aircraft, and in the process logged in over 2100 flight hours.

Aerial refueling is essential to U.S. air operations around the world. The refueling allows fighter jets and other aircraft to remain over the battlefield longer, which allows greater support to U.S. and coalition forces fighting on the ground.

“Air refueling is one of the most vital portions of the effort over in the Middle East that we are performing,” said a returning 203 ARS pilot. “Without air refueling, basically nothing can get done.”

Just as with all deployments, team work played a vital role in mission success.

“We had great camaraderies there‘s lots of great people over there in the Middle East right now serving our country.” a 203 ARS pilot said.

– 2018 Spring Pupukahi pp. 17

29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers participate in annual training to prepare for deployment

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii) –Story by Sgt. Tinisha Mellein-Fortson – Friday, August 24, 2018

Traditionally, annual training is two weeks, but Soldiers have been engaged with additional deployment training from August 4-24, 2018. Some of the training includes: land navigation, weapons qualification on the M4 rifle and M9 pistol, combat lifesaver skills, physical fitness training and multiple Kosovo culture briefs.

“It’s a little different, it is a twenty one day annual training, it’s a little longer than expected,” said 1st Sgt. Brandon Kumalae of the 29th IBCT. “We are doing specialized weapons training with M9 pistols, not something that everyday Soldiers carry around, and in depth weapons qualifications for the M4 rifle and other specific types of training for Kosovo.”

Although most Soldiers participating in this mission were previously deployed, this is the first deployment for some Soldiers with the 29th IBCT. Spc. Rhodger Savella, a unit supply specialist with the 29th IBCT and a graduate of the Hawaii Army National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, assists in coordinating logistics for the brigade as well as participating in Army warrior tasks during his first annual training.

“The annual training has helped me to be more confident when I get down range and has allowed me to apply my MOS training and take it to the next level during this brigade deployment process,” said Savella.

Another Soldier deploying for first time is Pfc. Alexys Puana, an air defense battle management systems operator, who is also participating in her first annual training. The Pearl City high school graduate is an only child, but this will not be her first-time away from home. She has comfort in knowing she can video chat with her family while overseas.

“I feel the training I am receiving during AT will help me better understand what my role and responsibilities will be when I get in country, “ said Puana.

When asked what they will miss most about Hawaii, both Savella and Puana said they would miss their families, the weather, and the food, but both are excited and looking forward to serving their country, encountering snow for the first time, and having new experiences.

The purpose of the KFOR mission is to contribute to a safe and secure environment, support the international humanitarian effort, and the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo, and support the development of the Kosovo Security Force.

Training has been carefully planned and made to mimic real life situations that Soldiers may encounter while deployed. The goal is to engage every Soldier in practical simulations and give feedback on what went well and how they could improve.

“We are ready to go tomorrow,” said Kumalae. “I am very confident that we are ready to deploy and ready to do our mission.”

– 2018 Summer Pupukahi pp. 4

Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers deploy to Egypt and Kosovo

– 2018 Summer Pupukahi pp. 11

Soldier Spotlight Spc. Janis K. Poole

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Sgt. Tinisha MelleinFortson – Thursday, October 25, 2018

Where is Spc. Poole? I need her!” This seems to be the question, as you will often see her working to keep Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) ready for their deployment to Kosovo.

Spc. Janis K. Poole is more than just a Soldier in the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG); she is a mother of two, the middle child and only girl of five boys, and comes from a family of rich military history.

“I’ve always wanted to serve my country,” said Poole. “I feel that joining the military is a selfless act, and it makes me feel pride in myself and for my family that I can represent them serving the country and protecting those I love the best I can.”

This will be Poole’s first deployment with the 29th IBCT. The Waianae resident has now been in service for three short years and already achieved the rank of specialist.

Poole wanted to join the military when she graduated from Kalaheo High School in 2002, but had a difficult time meeting the Army’s height and weight standards.

But she never let go of her desire to join.

She worked hard through diet and exercise and was able to enlist in 2015. Her journey speaks to her dedication and perseverance.

“I joined a crossfit gym, I watched my portions and made healthier food choices, and kept a positive mindset to reach my goal,” said Poole.

Like other traditional Guardsmen, Poole balances her civilian job, home life and military duties. She currently works at the distribution management office on Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, Hawaii. She oversees all transportation and logistics services for Soldiers and their families to include passports.

As a certified military passport agent, Poole was tasked to help the 1-299th Cavalry Regiment obtain valid military passports and visas in preparation for their deployment to Egypt.

Poole solely processed approximately 500 passports and visas, which meant working long hours. As a result of her hard work and dedication she was recognized and presented with a coin from the Deputy Adjutant General and Commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara.

Poole says success is working hard, doing the very best you can and teaching others to be just as successful as you are. She not only wants to get the job done, but ensure it’s done right.

Spc. Poole was hand picked to be the administrative specialist working for the leadership, training and readiness staff. She will assist with all administrative and training for every Soldier of the 29th IBCT.

“She has been an incredible asset to the team,” said 1st Sgt. Brandon Kumalae, of the Headquarters Headquarters Company (HHC), 29th IBCT. “Despite not having a lot of years in the Army she knows a lot. She’s very proficient in her job and is a self starter she just knows what needs to be done and can operate off the commanders intent.”

Poole is looking forward to deploying, but she will miss her children and her family. Preparing her children for this deployment was not easy.

“It took six months to spin them up to help them understand what was to come,” said Poole. “It’s hard leaving them, but they understand mommy has a job to do, so I Face Time them and I call them as much as I can. It’s hard to help an eight-year-old and a seven-year-old to understand. I wanted them to have something to know I was always thinking of them so I gave them Army dressed teddy bears and a set of my dog tags to hold. I told them this is my incentive to you that I’m going to come back, so when I get back you are to give them back to me, and that was my promise to them.”

Spc. Poole is an example of what it means to be a citizen soldier, serving both community and country.

– 2018 Winter Pupukahi pp. 3

KFOR 25 Assumes Command

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment – Story by Capt. Darren Taylor – Monday, November 26, 2018

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo The official beginning of the “Lava Brigade’s” deployment to support Kosovo Force (KFOR) commenced with a Transfer of Authority ceremony held on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Nov. 17, 2018.

During the ceremony, the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (29IBCT), Hawaii Army National Guard, assumed command of Multinational Battle Group – East (MNBG-E) from the outgoing 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, California Army National Guard.

“This is a great opportunity, and we are going to do great things here,” said U.S. Army Col. Roy Macaraeg, MNBG-E commander.

Macaraeg wished outgoing KFOR 24 commander Col. Nick Ducich best of luck and thanked him and his entire team for doing such a great job during their rotation.

During the ceremony, the outgoing commander expressed his satisfaction as the commander of KFOR 24 MNBG-E. The commitment to the people of Kosovo by maintaining a safe and secure environment for all was deeply appreciated by all in attendance.

“For the incredible Soldiers who make up the Lava Brigade, you have the unique aloha spirit that automatically brings people together in friendship,” said Col. Nick Ducich, outgoing MNBG-E commander. “We hand this mission off to you knowing that you will achieve greater success while preventing further scarring of this land due to violence.” This deployment is the first of its kind for the 29 IBCT, but the role of providing safety and security is not.

Prior to deploying to Kosovo, Soldiers of the 29 IBCT assisted in the state-of-emergency lava flow incident on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Soldiers assisted with security in-and-around the lava impacted areas.

Macaraeg says that, situations like the lava flow ensure our readiness is at its peak.

“We are well trained, well-led, and well-equipped to address the complex situation in Kosovo,” said Macaraeg. “We have a great multinational NATO team, and we are looking forward to working with everyone.”

The transfer of authority reaffirms the KFOR mission and enduring commitment to a safe and secure environment for all people of Kosovo.

The Hawai’i Army National Guard saw its largest deployment numbers since 2008 with the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deploying to Kosovo, the 1-299th Cavalry deploying to Egypt, the 1-487th Field Artillery deploying to Afghanistan and the 189th Aviation deploying in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

– 2019 Annual Report pp. 1

Detachment 1, Company G, 1st Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from Jun. 2018 – May 2019.

– 2019 Annual Report pp. 10

Deployed ISO Operation Inherent Resolve from June 2018 – May 2019.

– 2019 Annual Report pp. 13

Hiki No – Deployed

– 2019 Spring Pupukahi pp. 12

In Egypt, Gen. Lengyel finds National Guard troops supporting key U.S. partner

National Guard Bureau | Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill | Friday, May 3, 2019

Men and women who have been to war stand watch here in the hope others won’t have to.

Some members of the Multinational Force and Observers – including some of the Hawaii National Guard troops currently contributing to the mission – have served in war zones.

But the MFO mission is about avoiding conflict, by supporting a peace that has held for more than 40 years, since Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in 1979.

“You are filling a vital role,” Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told troops with the 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment, Hawaii National Guard, during a visit to the region this week. “The National Guard stands ready to support the MFO whenever we are needed: We love the mission, and our troops are highly motivated to deploy to exciting and important missions.”

Since 1981, the MFO has observed, verified and reported potential violations of the Egyptian–Israeli Treaty of Peace and facilitated military dialog between the signatories to build trust, enhance transparency and ensure an enduring peace. An international force, it is currently led by Australian army Maj. Gen. Simon Stuart. A dozen nations provide the troops and money to sustain the MFO.

The mission is conducted in the challenging, dynamic environment of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula – a mountainous, thinly populated desert about the size of West Virginia, with Israel and the Gaza Strip on its eastern border.

The Hawaii National Guard is currently the MFO’s largest single force provider. Over the years, the Guard has frequently provided troops. More than 500 troops have come to the MFO from National Guard State Partnership Program nations.

“That so many of our SPP partners have transitioned from being security consumers to security providers shows how the SPP builds partner capacity,” Lengyel said. “Our partnership activities provide the Defense Department with a highly cost-effective means of strengthening alliances and attracting new partners.”

The SPP joins the National Guard in the states or territories with foreign countries for cooperative security training. More than one-third of the world’s nations – 83 of them – now have such partnerships.

During his visit, Lengyel met with Egyptian military leaders, including Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abbas Helmy, Egyptian Air Force commander.

“Our enduring strategic defense relationship with Egypt is one of our nation’s most valued partnerships,” Lengyel said.

Topics discussed with Egyptian leaders included border security, a challenge shared by both countries and a mission that both the Egyptian military and the National Guard have boots-on-the-ground and eyes-in-the-sky experience.

Throughout his visit, Lengyel saw the National Guard woven into the fabric of Joint Force overseas operations in obvious ways – like the several hundred Hawaii troops assigned to the MFO – and in more subtle ways.

Army Maj. Gen. Ralph Groover is the United States’ senior defense official assigned to Egypt, based at the embassy in Cairo. He leads a team of officers and noncommissioned officers representing each of the services who supervise the details of the longstanding military relationship between the USA and Egypt.

Groover’s background? He’s a deployed member of the Florida National Guard.

“It never ceases to amaze me how much contribution Guard members are making in every kind of partnership at every level, whether local, state, federal or – as in this case – international,” Lengyel said. “Guard members should take great pride in the roles we fill at home and around the world.”

Lengyel’s wife, Sally, met with troops to discuss family readiness and spouse support

“Our service members can’t do what they do without the support of their families, communities and employers,” Sally Lengyel said. “We must ensure we are, in turn, supporting families, especially when their loved ones are deployed.”

How the pre-mobilization process can be improved to better prepare family members, and access to medical services, were among topics Sally Lengyel discussed with troops.

About a dozen troops also took part in a re-enlistment ceremony led by Gen. Lengyel.

“You are hard to find and hard to keep, and your service is deeply appreciated by our nation,” Lengyel said.

Egypt – one of the birthplaces of civilization and now home to 97 million people with a median age of 24.7 – holds a special place in Lengyel’s heart: He counts his time as the United States’ senior defense official in the country as one of his favorite nonflying assignments.

“It was invaluable in increasing my understanding of complex geopolitical issues and the practical realities on the ground,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons I strongly encourage diversity of assignments, to strengthen and broaden our emerging leaders.”

Examples of such assignments available in the National Guard include serving as bilateral affairs officers in State Partnership Program nations.

“Building partnerships is one of the National Guard’s most important missions and directly supports our nation’s National Defense Strategy,” Lengyel said. “Trust cannot be surged in time of crisis – every day, at every level, we must build confidence and reliance with all our partners.”

Lengyel is the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He ensures the 453,000 Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airman are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and to provide combat forces to the Army and the Air Force.

“We are an operational reserve of the world’s best fighting force,” Lengyel said. “The National Guard is an essential part of our Total Force, providing ready forces and strategic depth.”

– 2019 Spring Pupukahi pp. 13-14

1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery returned from a yearlong mobilization in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel (OFS) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) from various areas of operation throughout Afghanistan and Iraq.

– 2020 Annual Report pp. 13