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Check Six

Check Six – 1985: Phillip Tokunaga and sons

January 25, 2022

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph Phillip Tokunaga served in the Hawaii Air National Guard after his active duty in the Air Force. He was one of pilots who flew the 154th Composite Group's Operational Support Aircraft (OSA) - then a...

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Check Six: Hawaii’s Air Defense Mission

January 21, 2022

This photograph shows a Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) Nike Hercules missile battery at Bellows Field, Waimanalo. Click to enlarge The 199th Fighter Squadron’s alert mission began on July 1, 1956 with two fully armed F-86 Sabres on five minute alert during daylight hours....

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Check Six – 1980s: Wallace Whang

January 20, 2022

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph This undated photograph shows Wallace Whang, who ran the Material Control section in the 154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (154 CAMRON). Wally's service began in the 1950s and he served until his retirement. Related Retiree...

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Check Six – Late 1970s: William “Bill” Austin

January 19, 2022

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph This undated photograph shows William "Bill" Austin. Bill transferred from the Oregon Air National Guard as the 154th Composite Group started their conversion from F-102 Delta Daggers to F-4 Phantoms. He served as the Engine...

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Check Six – 1980s: Samuel Pacarro

January 18, 2022

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph This undated photograph shows Samuel "Sam" Pacarro. Considering he is wearing fatigues, a good guess the photograph was taken in the 1980s. Sam served for many years and retired from the Missile Shop. A true...

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Check Six – Mid-1950s: James Ashford

January 17, 2022

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph This undated photograph shows James Ashford getting ready to get into the cockpit for a mission. The crew chief could not be identified.  Jim Ashford was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i on July 13, 1923. He grew up...

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Check Six – Late 1940s : F-47 Thunderbolt

January 16, 2022

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph On October 9, 1947, the first Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (no. 529) was delivered from the large stock then available in the Pacific. Others soon followed.  This undated photograph was taken early in the F-47 era...

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Check Six – 2015: Jeffrey “Sumo” Namihira

January 15, 2022

Jeffrey “Sumo” Namihira passed away on the evening of January 15, 2015 at Pali Momi Medical Center. He was 54 years old. There was a sense of disbelief as word spread across the wing the next day.  Sumo retired from the...

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