The Hawaii Air National Guard flew a Douglas C-54 Skymaster from October 2, 1965 to 1972. It replaced the VC-47 Gooney Bird that the HIANG flew for 14 years.
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster is a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces in World War II and the Korean War. Like the Douglas C-47 Skytrain derived from the DC-3, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from a civilian airliner, the Douglas DC-4.
Then-TSgts James Davis, Samuel Saffery, Edward Uyeda and SSgt Abraham Hiapo were the first aircrew members trained. Then-Brig. Gen. Valentine Siefermann was. the first HIANG pilot to check out. (HANG 25 Booklet)
During 1967, there was a contest to name the C-54. TSgt Wayne Soma won with his suggestion “Spirit of Aloha“. after going through the approval process, then-TSgt Rex Koga painted the name on the C-54 later that year. (HANG 25 Booklet)
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