Department of Defense

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DAVID Y.  IGE

GOVERNOR

BRIG. GEN. ARTHUR J. LOGAN

DIRECTOR

MEDIA RELEASE

EMBARGOED UNTIL 3:30 P.M.           Mar. 8, 2015

#2015-007              

HAWAII AIR NATIONAL GUARD RECOGNIZES TOP PERFORMERS

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii – The Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG)  held its annual “Launa Ole” award ceremony today recognizing its outstanding airmen.  The Launa Ole (meanings include: unequalled, superior) awards are for outstanding performance for individuals and teams over the past year.   The HIANG is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force.  As such, most of its airmen are traditional members (meaning part-time).  Individual winners are categorized as full-time and traditional.  The awardees are:

Airman of the Year

Full-time: Senior Airman Mariah Akau

Traditional: Senior Airman Ken Hayashi

Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year

Full-time: Tech Sgt. Blesmay Belmonte

Traditional: Tech Sgt. Amy Gerard

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year

Full-time: Master Sgt. Richard Pacheco

Traditional: Master Sgt. Christopher Hox

First Sergeant of the Year

Traditional: Master Sgt. Jeffery Romualdo

Company Grade Officer of the Year

Full-time: Capt. Kristin Wolfford

Traditional: Capt. Kimberly Gushikuma

Field Grade Officer of the Year

Full-time: Maj. Francis Shen

Traditional: Lt. Col. William Takashima

In addition, the 204th Airlift Squadron, which flies the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, was selected as outstanding unit of the year.

The HIANG consists of the Headquarters, Hawaii Air National Guard; the 154th Wing; and the 109th Air Operations Group.   Under the Total Force Integration construct, the 154th Wing, the largest ANG wing in the nation, operates and maintains the F-22, KC-135, and C-17 in conjunction with active duty Air Force units from the 15th Wing.  The Hawaii Air National Guard is comprised of approximately 2,500 airmen whose federal mission is to be trained and available for active duty operational missions.  It is also tasked with Hawaii’s air defense mission, protecting Hawaii’s airspace around-the-clock, 365 days a year.  Its State mission is to be trained and available for domestic operations at home, including relief and recovery operations following a natural disaster.  

For more information, please contact Lt. Col. Charles Anthony, Director of Public Affairs,  at the number below.

Media Advisory:

Still imagery of the ceremony and winners will be made available to news media upon request.

///SIGNED///

CHARLES J. ANTHONY, Lt. Col. , HIANG

JF HQ Hawaii National Guard

Director, Public Affairs

(808) 733-4258 fax:  X4236