A Fond Farewell to an Unforgettable Commander

154th WING HAWAII AIR NATIONAL GUARD | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM

a fond farewell to an unforgettable commander

www.154wg.ang.af.mil July | 2019 Inside JULY 2019

STAFF VICE COMMANDER Col. James Shigekane

PAO Capt. Justin Leong

PA STAFF Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy 4 7 Tech. Sgt. Alison Bruce-Maldonado Tech. Sgt. Tabitha Hurst Staf Sgt. James Ro Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz Senior Airman Robert Cabuco Senior Airman John Linzmeier

Published by 154th Wing Public Afairs Ofce 360 Mamala Bay Drive JBPHH, Hawaii 96853 Phone: (808) 789-0419 10 12 Kuka’ilimoku SUBMISSIONS Articles: Airman Safety App | Page 3 • Articles range from 200 to 2,000 words. All articles should be accompanied by multiple high-resolution images. ANG Director Visits | Page 4 • Include frst names, last names and military ranks. Always verify spelling. | Page 6 • Spell out acronyms, abbreviations and full unit designa- Airman makes progress toward dream college tions on frst reference. Photographs: Subject matter expert exchange • Highest resolution possible: MB fles, not KB. • No retouched photos, no special efects. • Include the photographer’s name and rank, and a held in Indonesia | Page 7 caption: what is happening in the photo, who is pic- tured and the date and location. 204th AS returns to Europe for Swif Response | Page 8 Tis funded Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of the US military services. Contents of the Ku- ka’ilimoku are not necessarily the ofcial views of, or endorsed Wing Commander's 'Fini-Flight' | Page 10 by, the US Government, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Air Force or the Hawaii Air National Guard. Tis publication is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Raptors join dispersal exercise| Page 12 Afairs Ofce of the 154th Wing, Hawaii 96853-5517. Tele- phone: DSN/ (315) 448-8117 / (808) 448-8117. Send submissions, comments or suggestions internally to the PAO and staf West Virginia ANG joins JBPH-H for training| Page 14 [email protected]. Te punctuation of the name of this publication was researched by the Indo-Pacifc Language Department at the University of Hawaii. All photos are United Strong Bonds event develops relationships| Page 15 States Air Force photos unless otherwise noted.

2 | KUKA’ILIMOKU • July 2019 • www.154wg.ang.af.mil an easier way to promote fightline safety by Senior Airman John Linzmeier

In the land of ‘make believe,’ occupational times larger. hazards wouldn’t be a problem, because a wave “Troughout aviation history,” said Rodriguez, of a magical wand would simply make any safety “we’ve noticed that mishap rates have been concerns disappear. Unfortunately, the Hawaii Air going down, down and down over the years and National Guard doesn’t have any wands, but it now eventually it kind of leveled of. But through our has the next best thing – the Airman Safety App. safety culture we are trying to facilitate, we are Te Airman Safety Action Program, also known hoping to get the mishap rate down even further as ASAP, is an online resource which has enabled than it has ever been before by encouraging our users to report work safety issues since it was Airmen to participate and identify hazards when created in 2009. Now, through the Airman Safety they see them before they turn into mishaps.” App, members can anonymously report safety issues whenever they are encountered. Within minutes of identifying a potential hazard, such as a hole in the ground or an improperly designed aircraf part, a mobile report can be initiated on-site and submitted directly to the ASAP Safety Center. All data is matriculated to the appropriate major command, where practices can be improved and resources can be allocated to resolve problems. Te program is being held to promote a healthy safety culture and a work environment where everyone’s voice is important, especially in the occurrence of human error. “We need people to know how valuable it is when they speak up for safety issues while on-the- job,” said Maj. Nicholas Rodriguez, 154th Wing chief of safety. “Tis app gives them a way to do that without going through any lengthy administrative processes or having to identify themselves or deal While the program has been designed to raise with any form of retribution. Tis way we can take safety standards in the aviation department, reports actions and make everyone else aware, so the same submitted in the app are not limited to the fight mistake is not repeated.” line. Hazards can be reported from virtually any Te U.S. Air Force modeled ASAP afer similar location, to include deployed environments, can be programs which are practiced throughout the reported and will promptly be evaluated by ASAP aviation industry. According to the U.S. Air Force Safety Center team members. Safety Center, more than 70 U.S. airlines have been To download the Airman Safety App on a reporting upwards of 50,000 potential hazards mobile device, visit the Apple App Store and the every year and global reports are approximately ten Google Play Store.

www.154wg.ang.af.mil • July 2019 • KUKA’ILIMOKU | 3 Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard visits the 154th Wing on June 20th-21st. During his visit, he met with and recognized members of the organization and also held two Town Hall meetings where he addressed current and future events with The Guard. The 204th provided transport to Kauai where he met with Kokee GSU Airmen as well as making other trips to geographically separated units.

4 | KUKA’ILIMOKU • July 2019 • www.154wg.ang.af.mil Air National Guard director visits team hickam by Staff Sgt. James Ro .

Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the “You are making a diference in the world other trips to the 297th ATCS GSU Unit Air National Guard, and members of his in this island, this location, this Hawaii located in Kapolei. staf recently visited the 154th Wing at Joint National Guard is making a diference for During a second town hall gathering, Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam June 20-21. all of us. And I really thank you for that.” Rice with several outstanding performers, Te three-starred general visited to said Rice. “You’ve really done quite a job to include outstanding performers see and experience the 154th Wing’s wide pulling yourself together, becoming an including Command and Control Battle mission sets, discuss leadership initiatives organization, becoming a unit, and there’s Management Operations Airmen of the and interact with the Airmen who comprise nothing you can’t do.” year and also presented Brig. Gen. Gregory the ANG’s largest wing. Members of Pacifc Air Forces Woodrow, 154th Wing commander, “Tis place called the Hawaiian National Command, Maj. Gen. David Burgy, ANG with his coin and thanked him for all his Guard has made a name for itself; You have Assistant to COMPACAF, Col. Chris accomplishment, leading to his retirement made a name of itself,” said Rice, who last Faurot, PACAF Headquarters ANG forces next month. visited in January 2017. “Everyone of you director and his deputy, Lt. Col. Jhonny “Is this a great place to work because can add to this big picture of creating a Polanco, were also in attendance. we add value to this country? He had done better environment for our kids, family, Rice’s career began in 1980, when he was that for me, and he has done that for all of and spouses, I want to thank you for how commissioned through the Reserve Ofcer you.” said Rice. “Tis is an exceptional wing you bring all of this together.” Training Corps at Rensselaer Polytechnic commander. He is one of our top ten of During his two-day visit Rice, spent face- Institute, Troy, New York. He graduated almost 100 Wings that we have. Well done to-face time with Team Hickam Leadership, from pilot training at Reese Air Force Woody, Well done.” including Brig. Gen. Gregory Woodrow, Base, Texas, in 1982. Prior to his current In his closing remarks, Rice reiterated 154th Wing commander, and Col. William role as director of the Air National Guard, his feelings of appreciation for Airmen of Burks, 15th Wing commander. Rice served as Te Adjutant General and the Hawaii Air National Guard and said, Rice had the opportunity to tour the Commander, Massachusetts Air National “Bottom Line, I have a tremendous amount F-22 Raptor maintenance facility and held Guard, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts. of respect for all of you and doing what you two town hall gatherings where he shared Te visit included a fight on a 204th do. And for that you can be proud, and I his vision for the Air National Guard, Airlif Squadron C-17 Globemaster III, as am very very honored to stand her in front addressed questions and expressed his a means of transportation to the island of of you as the director of the Air National gratitude towards the Airmen and all that Kauai where he met with Geographically Guard and say, I had the opportunity to they do. Separated Unit Airmen as well as making serve with you.” Tank you for all you do, thank you.”

www.154wg.ang.af.mil • July 2019 • KUKA’ILIMOKU | 5 Air Force Academy candidate overcomes admission trials by Senior Airman John Linzmeier.

was ‘ft-to-fght’ and the discrepancy was she was even more prepared to handle it. ejection can be hard to accept waved. Afer working closely with several agencies sometimes; especially for a high- In June 2017, she was able to enlist as to reassess her health condition, her school student who’s been denied a Material Handler in the 154th Logistics medical clearance was authorized, and the Rentrance to her dream college. While most Readiness Squadron. While she joined school request was fnally processed. are lef with no choice but to move on to for a host of career-focused reasons, her On June 3, 2019, at the close of a drill other options, some people just don’t seem enlistment also included a few things she weekend, members of her unit gathered for to t ake ‘no’ as a fnal answer. didn’t bargain for. a team picnic. Members of Alama’s family When Anuhea Pikake Alama heard “I didn’t see this coming,” she said, “but also attended the event to witness a special about her denial to the Air Force Acade the HIANG really has something special. moment in her career. Col. Joyce Merl, rings, she was ‘absolutely crushed.’ Tere’s just so much love here. Te people 154th Mission Support Group commander, Te news wasn’t easy to digest for the I’m surrounded by are more like a family made a formal announcement to the crowd Waianae High School student. For a short- t h a n t h e y – Alama received her letter of acceptance. lived period, feelings of distraught afected Now, Alama is the frst traditional her focus on schoolwork and athletic member of the HIANG and Waianae High performance in her wrestling. School to be accepted into an Air Force But Alama isn’t the kind of person Academy program. Upon completion who lets circumstances set her back of the 10-month preparatory school, for very long. With the support of she will potentially be admitted to her family and a resilient attitude, a four-year enrolment at the AFA, she shifed her focus to alternative followed by a commission into the paths. U.S. Air Force. As a member of the Junior “We could tell she’s been Reserve Ofcer Corps, Alama through an emotional roller had several role models and coaster up to this point,” said peers within the military Merl, “It was clear that she was community. One of her friends so excited to have a second in the U.S. Navy inspired her to chance to apply and she stayed take a vocational test at her local motivated the whole time. I have Military Employment Processing a lot of confdence in her and it’s Station. Her test results were high, just nice to witness the future of the and it attracted the attention of a local Air Force.” recruiter from the Hawaii Air National As an AFA graduate, Merl said Guard. ofcers who complete the program are “When I spoke with the recruiter, it received with a level respect in all their was eye-opening” said Alama, “because I preceding assignments, accompanied by realized this might be another chance to higher levels of expectations. While the go afer my goals - but in a diferent way. are coworkers. Come to fnd next several years of intensive schooling He explained how I could stay home and out; I live next door to a lot of them. It’s just may appear to be a daunting task for continue my education while I served. I felt been a tight-knit community.” some, Alama didn’t seem hindered by the like this was my calling.” It wasn’t long before commanders and obstacles which lay ahead of her. Serving as a part-time guardsman supervisors took notice Alama’s leadership “Anything that you’re uncomfortable seemed to be a viable and exciting potential; so, when the opportunity came with will be intimidating, but you just have alternative for Alama. However, the to submit applicants for the Air Force to take it head on. Always be open minded, recruiting process dragged on for several Academy’s Preparatory School, a package because you can always adapt to the months due to a medical discrepancy. On was submitted for Alama. environment; even for something as simple paper, her condition was listed as a total Te ‘prep school’ is a 10-month-long as the weather. I’ve been living in Hawaii all showstopper, but Alama didn’t see it that course which helps prepare students for the 20 years of my life, and going to somewhere way. AFA’s four-year curriculum. When Airmen in Colorado, where it drops down to 36 n the face of her potentially, disqualifying and civilians are enrolled, they become degrees in the summer. It’s going to be years condition, Alama attended to a lengthy ‘cadet candidates.’ of challenges, but I know I’m on a mission series of appointments to resolve the However, Alama’s medical status had, now and am open to anything that will Iissue. Her persistence eventually paid of once again, been in confict with the prep bring me closer to my goals. I’m nervous, when she proved to medical staf how she school’s stringent standards. But this time, but I’m ready.”

6 | KUKA’ILIMOKU • July 2019 • www.154wg.ang.af.mil medical experts join partners in indonesia, improve pandemic response abilities by Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz

Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) Te World Health Organization (WHO) Rounding out the team were experts Airmen from the 154th Medical Group defnes a pandemic as a worldwide spread from civilian Hawaii emergency response detachment 1 conducted a Subject Matter of a new disease. In an increasingly agencies. Expert Exchange (SMEE) with counterparts interconnected world, the threat of another Sentiment from Edward Caballero, a from the Indonesian Armed Forces in pandemic is ever present; collaboration civilian medic and Hawaii Disaster Medical Jakarta, Jun. 18-20. is needed to build capability of nations to Assistance Team operations branch leader Te SMEE focussed on military medical respond to the next pandemic. mirrored what many involved with the response to a biological pandemic and “When you’re talking about a worldwide SMEE felt; that collaboration improves was part of the National Guard’s State spread of a disease, one of the big things pandemic response. Partnership Program (SPP) which links is to have cross border relationships and “I think that the collaboration between a state's National Guard with a partner to be able to gather information and to the state partners was incredible,” Caballero nation in support of mutual interests. be able to share information,” said Maj. said. “Tere was mutual understanding Timothy Hiura, 154 MDG Det 1 physician. from both sides. It was reassuring to “It’s through learning from each other’s know that the military is developing these strengths and weaknesses, from the partnerships should the unfortunate teaching of our methods and the learning situation occur where we need additional of theirs that partnerships are forged.” resources beyond our capabilities.” For island communities such as Although the SMEE was in execution Indonesia and Hawaii, their relative of the National Guard State Partnership isolation does not exclude them from a Program, according to Faumuina, it pandemic; both are world wide destinations supported the larger DoD initiative of and crossroads for tourists and business Global Health Engagement (GHE). travelers alike. “We’ve been working with our “Te Pandemic Subject Matter “If an outbreak is detected, having counterparts in Indonesia for three Exchange is a premiere program for the capacity to respond is key,” Hiura said. “Te years now,” Faumuina said. “Te level of Hawaii National Guard State Partnership quantity and quality of the response can Program,” said Lt. Col. James Faumuina, make a huge diference.” 154 MDG Det 1 commander,. “Trough As an enhanced-response-force-package this engagement we’re able to bring unit (CERF-P), 154 MDG Det 1 capabilities together experts from both Indonesia and make it uniquely qualifed for pandemic the State of Hawaii in the areas of pandemic response. In addition to military medical detection, response, and mitigation.” training as a CERF-P unit, many members Te Hawaii delegation consisted of have civilian occupations as doctors, eight medical Airmen from the medical nurses, frst-responders, or other medical detachment, a medical operations ofcer specialties; a majority of the subject matter from the Hawaii Army National Guard and experts were drill-status Airmen. two experts from Hawaii civilian agencies: For Capt. Jorena Young, 154 MDG Det communication and exchange between our Hawaii Disaster Management Assistance 1 clinical nurse, the experience provided two countries has cultivated a relationship Team (DMAT) and the Hawaii Emergency valuable insight not normally available in where we’re moving towards unison Management Agency (HIEMA). Hawaii. to further the US Indo-Pacom Teater Topics ranging from pandemic “I feel we have a lot to learn from other Support Cooperation Plan, through the detection, crisis planning, logistics and countries’ militaires because we haven’t strategy of GHE.” response operations were discussed experienced it, especially in Hawaii we Te exchange continues in September during the three-day engagement. Visits don’t see as much as they do…they have when Indonesian medical experts visit the to the Indonesia Health Crisis Center of 17,000 plus islands they have to take care HIANG. the Ministry of Health and the National of in Indonesia, while we only have our Hospital for Infection Central allowed eight,” Young said. “Tey have a lot more for close examination of how pandemic experience that we can learn from and take response is conducted in Indonesia. those lessons back with us.”

www.154wg.ang.af.mil • July 2019 • KUKA’ILIMOKU | 7 'pueos' return to europe for airlift ops

by Senior Airman John Linzmeier.

8 | KUKA’ILIMOKU • July 2019 • www.154wg.ang.af.mil Spain, NATO and other U.S. Air Force Afer his team leaped of the C-17 is maintained while also making certain units. and into darkness, the Soldiers began the aircraf could arrive and depart safely Te JFE movements involved U.S. a feld training exercise and joined from each remote location. One of these Army paratroopers with the 1st Battalion, forces with Soldiers from Germany and fying crew chiefs was Staf Sgt. Michelle 143rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne the Netherlands. Crider said the feld Ganoy, who said she volunteered for the Brigade and 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne conditions were designed to be severe, additional responsibility so she can be Division, who jumped alongside to simulate the challenges his troops may involved with a broader mission-set. international forces. face in a real battlefeld environment. “Tis was my frst time going up as “We’re always looking forward to While the airdrops were carried out a fying crew chief for an airdrop,” said jumping with our partners, and these by pilots and loadmasters with the 204th Ganoy, “being a part of missions like these guys [the 204th AS] have made it a very AS, maintenance Airmen from the 154th are a great reminder of how important smooth operation for us so far,” said Texas Maintenance Squadron played an integral every role is in mission readiness.” Army National Guard Capt. Ryan Crider, role in the successful airdrops. Tese While exercise Swif Response is held 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, specialists and crew chiefs accrued more in a time zone that’s 12 hours separate 173rd Airborne Brigade jumpmaster. working hours on the Globemaster than from the Hawaii islands, the Hawaii Air “Te idea behind airlif is it allows us to any aircrew member, making sure the National Guard remains capable of joining secure our objective, such as an airfeld, aircraf was mission-ready when called partners in a total-force fght whenever and bring as much combat power to the upon. they’re called upon; whether their global fght as quickly as possible. Aferward, In addition, a small team from the reach is needed amongst allies in Europe we’re going to move out to more rugged 154th Maintenance Squadron few with or any other given continent. training areas so we can destroy our the aircrew as fying crew chiefs during common threat.” each JFE, to ensure infight airworthiness

www.154wg.ang.af.mil • July 2019 • KUKA’ILIMOKU | 9 154th wing commander 's career celebrated during 'fni-fight'

AFTER 33 YEARS OF SERVICE AND MORE THAN 7,100 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME, BRIG. GEN. GREGORY S. WOODROW TOOK HIS FINAL FLIGHT AS COMMANDER OF THE 154TH WING. UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, WOODROW WAS KNOWN FOR EMPOWERING HIS AIRMEN TO TRY NEW THINGS AND ALWAYS MAKING IT A PRIORITY FOR THEM TO TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER. GOOD LUCK ON ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS AND MAHALO FOR MAKING A LASTING IMPACT IN OUR HIANG OHANA.

10 | KUKA’ILIMOKU • July 2019 • www.154wg.ang.af.mil Photos by Master Sgt Mysti Bicoy and Senior Airman John Linzmeier. www.154wg.ang.af.mil • July 2019 • KUKA’ILIMOKU | 11 hawaiian raptors disperse for typhoon ex Photos by Senior Airman John Linzmeier

guam

saipan republic of palau 12 | KUKA’ILIMOKU • July 2019 • www.154wg.ang.af.mil A 199th Fighter Squadron pilot from the Hawaii Air National Guard answers questions about the F-22 Raptor during a static display tour at the Francisco C. Ada International Airport, Saipan, April 23, 2019.

U.S. Air Force Security Forces Defenders from the 154th Security Forces Squadron are dep- utized by a local police chief April 25, 2019, at the Palau International Airport, Republic of Palau, authorizing them to protect valuable aircraf and assets during their stay.

Story by Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs Pacifc Air Forces Airmen and aircraf from in the wake of typhoons that created training across the command joined together at Andersen stoppages during the most recent iterations of both Air Force Base, Guam, April 22, 2019 to participate the Vigilant Shield and Cope North exercises in in a dispersal exercise throughout Micronesia. Guam. Te exercise, named Resilient Typhoon, is Units and aircraf participating in the Resilient designed to validate PACAF’s ability to adapt to Typhoon exercise include: F-16s from Misawa rapidly developing events, like inclement weather, Air Base, Japan’s 35th Fighter Wing; F-15C Eagles while maintaining readiness in support of allied and from Kadena Air Base, Japan’s 18th Wing; C-130Js partner nations throughout the region. from Yokota Air Base, Japan’s 374th Airlif Wing; Te exercise tests PACAF’s ability to execute C-17s and F-22s from Joint Base Pearl Harbor- fight operations from multiple locations in order Hickam’s 15th Wing and 154th Wing (Hawaii Air to maintain readiness and involves Airmen and National Guard); and supplemental capabilities aircraf concentrated in one place – Andersen AFB and personnel from the 36th Wing, Andersen AFB, – separating via a dispersal, recovering, and then and 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, rapidly resuming operations at airports and airfelds Alaska. in: Guam, Tinian, Saipan, Te Federated States of Military forces routinely operate and train from Micronesia (FSM) and Palau. and in the vicinity of Guam and the Commonwealth Scheduled training activities include: airfeld of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), as well as rescue frefghting, post-disaster communications, the FSM and Palau in support of a free and open and the rapid movement of people and cargo which Indo-Pacifc. share resources and foster interoperability. “Pacifc Air Forces appreciates the long-history “Operational environments and global threats of support it has enjoyed in the region and strives to evolve rapidly,” said Brig Gen Michael Winkler, be a good partner with the people across Micronesia PACAF director of strategy, plans and programs. in support of a free and open Indo-Pacifc,” “We must ensure that all forward-deployed forces Winkler said. “Tese exercises serve to enhance are ready for a potential contingency with little our relationships, while also providing invaluable notice and that we can move more fuidly across the training and operational readiness. Our Airmen will theater to seize, retain and exploit the initiative in be exercising innovative concepts with as light and any environment.” agile a footprint as possible, while upholding the Te general added that while Andersen serves strictest safety and environmental standards.”Static as a premier power projection platform, a number displays of the aircraf and interactions with the of factors – to include weather – can infuence Airmen operating and maintaining them were how PACAF maneuvers and postures forces in the made available to the public as mission allows. region. Over the past year, the threat and impact of inclement weather has become increasingly relevant

www.154wg.ang.af.mil • July 2019 • KUKA’ILIMOKU | 13 west virginia aNG joins Team hickam for tf ops Story by Senior Airman John Linzmeier

embers of the West Virginia Air National Guard worked alongside Sailors and Airmen at Joint Base MPearl Harbor-Hickam as part of a total-force- integration training opportunity, held May 13-24. Te team of 69 guardsmen, based out of the 167th Air Wing, in Martinsburg, focused on improving their ability to function in a total-force environment by working alongside active duty members from the 15th Wing and the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing. “From the minute we met with the force support squadron from the 15th Wing and Hawaii Air National Guard, they were immediately welcoming,” said 2nd Lt. Photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Sencindiver Margaret Mayberry, 167th Force Support Squadron acting commander and services benefts of other practices.” also integrated with several other fight chief. “We could get a sense of the ‘aloha squadrons and sections from both spirit’ and family. Tey immediately wanted to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam air wings, to include Force Support, show us around and learn from us as much as hosts partnered units on a regular basis Logistics Readiness, Contracting, we wanted to learn from them.” in order to combine their capabilities Communications, and Public Afairs. For active duty service members, it’s normal with joint and bilateral forces and other At the end of each duty day, Airmen to have a wide exposure to other bases, as military components. gathered to discuss the lessons learned members are constantly moving from station Due to an ongoing fow of deployment and review their experiences, such as to station every few years. But for members of taskings, some departments on-island refueling an F-22 Raptor for the frst time the Air National Guard, the majority of staf are lef understafed. Tech. Sgt. Matthew or helping administer a routine physical will remain at their home station for long Pyne, 154th Logistics Readiness Squadron ftness test. periods of time. It’s through annual training Individual Protective Equipment and “It’s been highly rewarding to create opportunities, such as this, that help diversify Individual Equipment Element NCO in new partnerships here,” said Mayberry. and infuence daily operations. charge, said his team is always excited to “As a leader, some of the wonderful Mayberry and other mission planners work with visiting units because it helps pieces I've seen is how my Airmen have crafed a diverse schedule for their time on them to take on large projects and learn been able to collaborate with new teams island, which enabled the West Virginia new organizational skills. and see how quickly they can apply new Airmen to spend half of their work-days with “Tey were very knowledgeable in the concepts. Not only with other guard active-duty units and the other half with local inventory section,” said Pyne. “We are units, but active duty as well. It helps us to guardsmen — an opportunity which is not doing a full-scale inventory right now understand the importance of the total- available at their home station. for our ‘chem gear’ and now we’re pulling force mission. So when there’s a need for “Seeing active duty and guard units and back about 2,000 M-50 masks. Tey us to work at a deployed location, I’m how they work with each other is really showed us diferent ways to consolidate confdent that we can all work together.” valuable for us,” said Mayberry, “because our equipment, so now we have more when you’re within your own bubble and not space to do our inventory and work more actively training with other joint forces, you’re efectively.” not going to be able to see and understand the Te West Virginia Airmen

14 | KUKA’ILIMOKU • July 2019 • www.154wg.ang.af.mil Couples learn relationship resiliency at Strong Bonds by Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz event Take care of your relationships healthy and they’re happy, they’ll time together as a couple,” Suiso so that you can take care of the be fit to fight.” said. “We’ve been together for a mission. Although a wide range of while, but we still learned a lot That was the underlying ranks were represented amongst about each other and how we can theme of a weekend retreat held the participants, from Senior communicate better.” March 22-24, where 25 Hawaii Air Airman to Brigadier General, HIANG Strong Bonds events National Guard [HIANG] married rank was generally invisible as are held two to three times per couples gathered at a Waikiki all participants were encouraged year. This iteration involved hotel for a weekend of learning, to be open and honest with their married couples; other events bonding, and re-energizing. partners and encourage each can focus on the family or single The weekend workshop was other. airmen. part of the Strong Bonds initiative, a “It’s important that the According to Boling, the National Guard funded, Chaplain- participants feel comfortable and Strong Bonds of today began as led program whose core mission at ease,” Boling said. “We want a relationship enhancing program of increasing readiness through them to be able to open up and at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. relationship education has been really focus on their partners and With high deployment tempos, helping service members develop to support the other couples as officials there saw the need for a important relationship skills for needed. Part of that is to forget formal program to help deploying close to two decades. about rank for this weekend.” troops and their families increase HIANG Chaplains, chaplain While a wide range of ranks their relationship resiliency. The assistants and a cadre of were represented, so to was the program was accepted Army volunteers led the couples range of years that couples had wide and has since been adopted through exercises, mentoring been married. One couple had by both the Army and Air National sessions, and hands-on activities been married close to 40 years Guard. - all with the singular goal of while another had just recently “To spend one weekend from imparting relationship enhancing tied the knot. Friday evening to Sunday noon skills. Senior Airman Benjamin Suiso, with the couples and they open “Strong Bonds is important to 154th Medical Group medic and up their lives to you, that’s just a the mission because what we’re his wife Pomaika’i, were wed just joy to me and a blessing,” Boling teaching couples and the airmen a month prior and have a nine- said. is to build resiliency…to build month old baby together. They The HIANG’s first Strong Bonds skills, and to have better, healthy took the time to recharge their event was held in 2005. marriages,” said Lt. Col. Leah batteries. Boling, Chaplain, 154th Wing. “If “This is the first time in a our airmen and our families are while that we’ve had quality