Braden “Mongo” Sakai

This photograph shows a young John “Zoomba” Traettino. He flew F-15 Eagles with the 199th Fighter Squadron for many years. Zoomba was one of the F-15 pilots that transitioned to the current F-22 Raptors. He later served at the National Guard Bureau and...

Special Thanks to Braden “Mongo” Sakai for sharing these personal photographs. These two photographs are some friends with Ro at my house after he was recovering from cancer treatment. Left photograph: Standing (L-R): Glen “Knockers” Nakamura, Rollie “Dude” Smith, Wade “Ninja” Oganeku,...

Retiree News photograph This photograph was taken on May 8, 2012 at the Governor’s Ceremonial Room at the Hawai‘i State Capitol. It was Braden “Mongo” Sakai‘s brigadier general promotion ceremony. Among the attendees were then-Col Dann and Sherilyn Carlson and...

Braden “Mongo” Sakai, Christopher “Frenchy” Faurot Christopher “Sock” Sakamoto Suzy Churchill #4 - General John G. Lorber, the Pacific Air Forces commander, congratulates Church. Kurt Johnson and Kenneth “Dusty” Sussel in the background Michael “Boss” Tice, Clinton Churchill, Geoffrey “Thunder" Avery, Robert...

Personal photographs used with permission The alert facility - alert pad to many - is scheduled for demolition on September 22, 2021. 199th Fighter Squadron aircrews all have memories - good, bad and funny - of their time spent at...

Retiree News photograph In the photograph are (L-R): Gervin Miyamoto, Melvin “Humphrey” Souza, Michael "Boss" Tice, John "Saigon" Lee, and Harold "Shaka" Schatz. Saigon commanded the 154th Composite Group from August 1978 through December 1989. Boss served as the 154th...

Retiree News photograph In the photograph are (L-R): Neal Yonamine, Jason Matsuoka, Timothy Fujino, and Zachary Chang. This photograph was taken on May 8, 2012 at the Governor’s Ceremonial Room at the Hawaii State Capitol. It was Braden “Mongo” Sakai‘s brigadier...

Personal photograph used with permission This undated photograph was taken after a 199th Fighter Squadron change of command ceremony. Lt Col Christopher Faurot took command of the squadron from Lt Col Glen Nakamura. Although undated, the ceremony probably occurred in...

Lt Col Kenneth “Dusty” Sussel had his “Fini Flight” on December 31, 2006. The Fini Flight is a tradition for pilots that originated during the Vietnam era (more below).  Personal photograph - used with permission Lt Col Kenneth “Dusty” Sussel had his “Fini Flight”...

Hawaii Air National Guard photograph This photographs show Brig Gen Braden "Mongo" Sakai, his wife Momi and family members shortly after he was pinned by Governor Neil Abercrombie in the ceremonial room at the Capitol. Also in the photograph is...