History

Special thanks to Stephen Lum who shared this photo of then Captain Joseph Chaves.  We think it taken in the 1980s at one of the Exercise Team Spirit in Korea.

The following is Brig Gen Braden “Mongo” Sakai's Commander's Column from the May 2016 Kūkā‘ilimoku.  The entire issue will post tomorrow morning. As the famous quote goes, ‘Flexibility is the Key to Air Power’. A lot has happened in the last week or so....

Has it been 10 years since the Hawai‘i Air National Guard’s first C-17 Globemaster III arrived at Hickam Field? A Retiree News follower sent in this link to the McChord Air Museum feature on Hawai‘i’s C-17 Serial No 05-5146. Great...

Aloha All, Please join me in congratulating  Col Taison Tanaka as our new 154th Vice Wing Commander. Colonel Tanaka has held positions in both active duty and the HIANG in Financial Management, he's a graduated commander for the 154WG Logistic Readiness Squadron, and most recently...

This photograph shows Lt Col Valentine Siefermann presenting Lt Stephen Oka his controller certification at the 150th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (150 ACWS) luau.  The photograph is dated 1965. Siefermann became the first Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard in 1953. In 1973,...

Steve Lum shared this photograph with Retiree News, but had no information about the date and location. Aaron Pollick offered these comments, “the aviation photograph looks like Kauai or Big Island about the 80’s because of the helmet style.  I’m...

A Retiree News reader sent in this YouTube link of the Hawaii Air National Guard and the arrival of the F-102 Delta Daggers in 1961. Shows future generals Bob Maguire and Val Siefermann getting leis during the ceremony. Great video! Check...

Contributing editor Stephen Lum provided this article and the photographs for this Retiree News post. Wahiawa Armory named after first 487th Field Artillery commander click on photographs to enlarge The Hawai‘i Army National Guard’s Wahiawa Armory, originally built in 1958, was named...

The 199th Fighter Squadron patch seen on Navy football uniforms Roger “Dig Daddy” Moore, a retired 199th Fighter Squadron pilot who lives in Missouri, sent out an email to Retiree News and several other retired Hawai‘i Air National Guard members....

Born from humble beginnings, the National Guard celebrates its 379th birthday. By Bill BoehmNational Guard Bureau The military organization we know today as the National Guard came into existence with a direct declaration on December 13, 1636.  On this date,...