1990’s 29th Infantry Brigade as Enhanced Readiness Brigade

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

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

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
D-DAY PLANS SHARED - Lt. Col. Mark E. Logan, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade's operation officer, uses the sand table to brief Brig. Gen. Samuel Thompson Ill, Fort Polk and Joint Readiness Training Center commander; Col. Joseph J. Chaves, brigade deputy commander; and Brig. Gen. Dennis A. Kamimura, Brigade commander, while going over the battle plan at the Intermediate Staging Base, Alexandria, La., in June 1999. - Spc. Wendy R. Cook photo
ENEMY IN SIGHT - Spc. Mello Valiente, Company B, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry, looks through his thermal sights to check the area for OPFOR soldiers at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fon Polk, La., in June 1999 Sgt. 1st class Wayne T. lha photo
(Pictures from the 1999 Annual Report)

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