First Unit Home from OEF to Be Standing with You Today, Welcom- by Spc
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AWAII RMY EEKLY Vol. 34 No.H 6 ServingA the U.S. Army community in HawaiiW February 11, 2005 What’s Inside First unit home from OEF to be standing with you today, welcom- By Spc. Daniel P. Kelly ing these great Soldiers back into our Staff Writer midst. Soldiers of the 725th Main Support “I thank each and every one of you for Battalion were the first group from the your service, your dedication, your com- 25th Infantry Division (Light) to return mitment to excellence and for all of your from Afghanistan Feb. 2 after a one-year selfless sacrifice that has taken place in deployment. the past year … Soldiers flew into Honolulu “Your sacrifice, we know it’s been Troops International Airport in the afternoon, great, and we want you to know how and then traveled by much we’ve missed you,” Hatch added. bus to the Black Jack “You are all heroes. Yes, heroes. Our Honored hangar on Wheeler Read about the community is grateful. Our nation, like- More than 30 Army Air Field for their 225th FSB wise, is grateful … redeployment ceremo- redeployment, “I would also like to point out to you, Soldiers get awards ny. Iraqi mission on Hawaii is a different place from a year for service. Col. Rick Hatch, 25th page A-3. ago. Please take your time acclimating Infantry Division your self over the next few days and the A-3 (Light) support com- next few weeks,” Hatch said. mand commander, “We’re so glad you’re back in our spoke to the 58 Soldiers as they stood in ohana, and we want you to remain safe,” formation at the ceremony, while eager he added. “May God bless these Blue Star Card Program family and friends waited in seeming Soldiers, and may God bless the Tropic Closing anticipation. Lightning Division.” The Blue Star Card Spc. Daniel P. Kelly Nikki Hanson waited with her 2-year- Program for spouses of Sgt. Pete Hanson, 725th Main Support Battalion, radio and “On behalf of our commanding gener- old daughter Hailey while Hatch deployed Soldiers will end as al, Major General [Eric] Olson, who is communications security repairer, holds daughter Hailey, 2, thanked the Soldiers. Soldiers redeploy. Operation currently serving in Bagram, with wife, Nikki, after the redeployment ceremony on Wheeler Afghanistan, we thank each and every “It feels like a dream come true,” Iraqi Freedom cards, those Army Air Field Feb. 2. Hanson's unit was the first to deploy with a blue background, are one of you for attending today’s rede- Hanson said while smiling. “Just the valid to March 31. Operation to Afghanistan. (See a photo of Soldiers from another unit ployment ceremony,” Hatch said. fact that he made it home safe,” she said Enduring Freedom cards, prepping to redeploy from Afghanistan on page B-8.) “I’m extremely honored and humbled See “725th MSB” Page A-12 yellow background, are valid to April 30. The program will continue for units returning after this date. Program end date will be publicized. Call 438-0117. Lock, load and go long! Steelers, Alan Faneca who By Kirsten Tacker handled the M240-B machine Contributing Writer gun. Soldiers and Pro Bowl play- Also participating was ers were united for an after- Cincinnati Bengals, Tory noon of weapons simulation James and Eric Ball (retired), training on Schofield Barracks another Steelers player, Aaron Feb. 8. Smith, and Indianapolis Colts Soldiers trained the ath- Tarik Glenn. letes at the Engagement Skills They all hunkered down on Training Center. Instructions their stomachs in front of the Redeployed proceeded on how to operate target, a big screen with the simulator rifles, machine changing terrain to make the guns and the AT – 4. firing more or less difficult. News Sgt. Ben Bremer, Company After each session the Kirsten Tacker B, 2nd Battalion, 27th trainers announced the scores Who can you call Pittsburgh Steelers Alan Faneca goes for the most “kills” on the weapons simula- Infantry Regiment said, “He and replayed the action so the when you need help tor, while Spc. Ryan Schmidt peers over NFL Pro Bowler Tarik Glenn’s shoulder. did great!” About Pittsburgh See “Training” Page A-14 in a hurry? B-4 Pay hike, expanded benefits Local Army officer highlighted The 25th ID(L) Tropic as pioneer in museum display Lightning Band in proposed budget The band will perform in By Sharon Mulligan $39,000 under the new budget, she a joint concert at Kapiolani By Donna Miles U.S. Army, Pacific Public Affairs said. Band Stand with Evergreen American Forces Press Service Federal civilian workers would Neat rows of ribbons presented on a Valley High School receive a 2.3 percent pay hike. crisply pressed green uniform combine Symphonic and Concert WASHINGTON – A 3.1 percent The proposed budget provides a 4 with a display panel filled with pictures Band on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. military basic pay hike, higher hous- ing allowances and more healthcare percent increase in the basic housing and facts to tell the story of a modern and educational benefits for the allowance to reduce and, ideally, day pioneer. National Guard and Reserve are all eliminate out-of-pocket costs for serv- But as impressive as those reminders part of the president's proposed fiscal ice members living in private hous- of accomplishments and assignments 2006 defense budget unveiled Feb. 7. ing. "In the past, there was as much are, these pieces of a museum exhibit The package of expanded benefits as an 18 percent out-of-pocket cost for can only illustrate a small part of the is part of what a senior our military," the defense life of the first, and currently only, defense official called a top official said. "And this budg- female general in the 228-year history priority in the president's What will the et sustains our no-out-of- of the Judge Advocate General Corps. $419.3 billion budget budget mean pocket cost commitment." Brig. Gen. Coral Wong Pietsch, a request: "taking care of our for the military? The budget also keeps longtime resident of Oahu, took part forces." See page DoD on track in its effort to recently in the ribbon cutting ceremony "People are our most A-10. eliminate all inadequate for the “Women Pioneers in the JAG important asset. We can't do military family housing Corps” exhibit at the U.S. Army anything without our folks," units in the United States Women’s Museum, located at Fort Lee, the official told Pentagon by fiscal 2007, and world- Va. Travis Edwards reporters. "Our forces are the best- wide by fiscal 2009. "We are on track" Her groundbreaking career spans Brig. Gen. Coral Pietsch and Maj. trained and best-organized on the with that effort, the defense official more than 30 years and includes service Gen. Thomas J. Romig, the U.S told reporters. in the active duty, U.S. Army Reserves, Be a Pilot globe, and we maintain our commit- Army Judge Advocate General, ment to them." The proposed budget continues to and as a Department of the In 30 minutes, you The proposed military pay raise extend privatization to improve mili- Army civilian employee. This modern officially open the U.S. Army can learn to fly a reflects a continued trend in better tary housing and to maximize DoD day pioneer is also the first Asian- Women's Museum exhibit, compensation for service members. housing budgets. By the end of fiscal American woman to hold the rank of "Women Pioneers in the JAG plane. Incorporating the 3.1 percent mili- 2006, the official said, this effort is brigadier general in the Army. Corps" during a ceremony Jan. 19 B-5 tary increase, basic pay will be up 25 expected to have produced nearly As she stood and looked at the dis- at Fort Lee, Va. Pietsch is the first percent since fiscal 2001. 172,000 new high-quality family play panel that told of her history, female general in the Judge In terms of actual money in housing units during the past 10 Pietsch said she was humbled and hon- Advocate General's Corps and first ored she is one of the people featured in troops' pockets, the official told years. female Asian-American general in Commentary . .A-2 reporters the 3.1 percent increase In terms of health care, the pro- the exhibit highlighting the contribu- posed budget increases funding for tion of women in the JAG Corps. the U.S. Army. Briefs . A-4,B-2 would raise basic pay for members in the lowest enlisted grade from the Defense Health Program, with “It was an incredible feeling to be said. “It was very moving to see the pho- Important Numbers A-10 $12,000 in fiscal 2005 to $15,000 next $20 billion in direct funding and $7 involved,” she said. “Never in my wildest tos and memorabilia of some of the peo- Historic Ceremony . A-11 year, and that of a second lieutenant billion for military personnel sup- dreams did I think when I started my ple who have paved the way for the rest from $23,000 to $28,000. Similarly, porting the program. Officials said career that I would be a part of history of us. Redeployment . .B-4 an E-5 who was earning $30,000 in this funding level will ensure contin- in that sense.” Sports . .B-8,B-10 base pay in fiscal 2001 will be making See “Pay hike” Page A-12 The exhibit itself was impressive, she See “JAG Pioneer” Page A-12 We want to hear from you The Hawaii Army Weekly wel- HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY comes letters and commentaries from readers.