THE KWAJALEIN HOURGLASS Volume 41, Number 55 Friday, July 13, 2001 U.S
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Kwajalein Hourglass THE KWAJALEIN HOURGLASS Volume 41, Number 55 Friday, July 13, 2001 U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands Optics to record crescent moon eclipse of Venus By Peter Rejcek Associate Editor The dark side of Venus could shed some light on a long-standing astronomical myth and the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site plans to use its optical eyes to watch and record the event. In the early morning hours Wednesday, the crescent moon will occult, or pass in front of, Venus. The Reagan Test Optics on Kwajalein and Roi-Namur are planning to shoot video and film of the phenomenon, according to Bob Carson, Optical Instru- mentation Systems manager. Specifically, the Super RADOTS on Kwaj and Roi are being enlisted for the 4:21 a.m. event. If we get good stuff, we would be sending (Photo by Peter Rejcek) it off to Sky and Telescope, Carson said, Optics technician Doug Stenger stands at his station in the Super Radot on Kwajalein referring to a popular astronomy magazine. Thursday. Using the optical instrument, range staff will observe an uncommon eclipse We will record it on video, using the main of Venus by the moon next week. (See OBSERVATION, page 5) EOC standing watch in prep for upcoming IFT-6 By Jim Bennett for residents. That much, residents can see. Editor What they dont see, the folks at the Emergency Operations Center U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll has ramped up for IFT-6, and this is only do. the beginning. In the past, the EOC opened for business during times of weather The base has gone to Threatcon Bravo, which essentially suspends crises Typhoon Paka in 1997, for example and security concerns some access to the island by visitors and steps up security procedures (See TEAMS, page 3) Compact talks begin this week NMD test attracting By Peter Rejcek dramatically, and be focused in six worldwide attention Associate Editor major areas. Specifically, those areas Almost two years after initial talks are education, health, infrastructure/ (Editors Note: Sundays National Missile Defense began between the Republic of the maintenance, private sector, capacity IFT-6 is attracting attention from all corners of the globe. Marshall Islands and the United States, building and environment. The following articles were compiled by the Ballistic negotiators for both countries sat down Education will be a priority sector Missile Defense Organization. This is what the world is this week in Majuro to begin hammer- in future funding, Senko said in an e- saying about us.) ing out the next 15-year Compact of mail interview with the Hourglass ear- BMDO TO TRY NEW DECOY IN BALLISTIC Free Association. lier this week. MISSILE DEFENSE TEST (Defense Daily, July 10, At the heart of the matter is money The Compact of Free Association 2001) The BMDO is using a new balloon decoy that will how much and how it will be appor- provides funds to the RMI for exclu- more closely resemble real-world countermeasures dur- tioned. sive use of portions of Kwajalein Atoll ing this weekends planned ballistic missile defense inter- U.S. Ambassador Mike Senko, and other islands for military pur- cept test, BMDO officials reported. quoted in the Marshall Islands Jour- poses and economic development, as The new balloon decoy is more threat representative (See FUNDING, page 4) than the decoys used in the previous tests, BMDO spokes- nal, said that U.S. funding will change (See REPORTS, page 4) www.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html Friday Page 2 Kwajalein Hourglass July 13, 2001 Editorial Hawaii: Home away from home for Kwajers, Roi Rats For some its the vacation destination the Internet and find online specials. Are We recently enjoyed an excursion to of a lifetime palm trees, tropical you going to stay for five days? Make it a Kauai and its definitely a change of pace breezes off the ocean and exotic hula week and youll find that you get one night and scenery from bustling Honolulu. dancing. But for many of us accustomed free or perhaps a discount on a rental car. Locals say that a rule prohibits build- to living with a little sand in our swim- Those who travel on shoestring budgets ings higher than a coconut palm, and this suits, a trip to Hawaii, especially Hono- might be interested to know that there certainly appears to be the case, as there lulu and Oahu, is often just a couple of are several are no high-rises. Its easy to see why ho-hum days of transit from one destina- hostels in the Garden Isle has long been used for tion to the next. Waikiki. movie locations Jurassic Park, However, theres more to the Garden While hos- South Pacific and Fantasy Island are Isles than Waikiki and shopping and tels are only a few filmed here. In fact, a tour will it doesnt always have to dent the vaca- known for take you to movie locations while playing tion or TDY budget. their dorm- video clips of each movie in the tour van. One ticket to some deep discounts is stlye accom- Kauai has by far the highest proportion a Hawaii drivers license. Planning on modations (a of sandy beach shoreline of any of the being out in the Pacific for a while? Then bed costing islands, 50 of its 113 miles of shore, and a $20 investment in a valid Hawaii drivers around $20 the sand is golden rather than white. It license, assuming some sort of resi- per night), many in Honolulu also offer does get more rain than the other islands, dency, is like a credit card of discounts. regular hotel rooms. Yes, the rooms are which contributes to its beauty and its In many places, such as the Bishop generally older (dig that 70s puke green many waterfalls. Museum, Hawaii residents pay less than look) and smaller, but if youre just look- As for where to stay, it depends on visitors. Even bigger savings can be had ing for a place to crash after a day of what you prefer. Tour guides say the north for those hoping to do a little island hop- sightseeing or beach bumming, you cant coast beaches are best for swimming in ping, as a Hawaii drivers license com- beat the rates, which probably average summer and surfing in winter, and the mands big discounts on inter-island airfare. around $50 per night. Often these places south coast beaches are the reverse. The Also, dont be shy about flashing that provide free rental gear and offer cheap north coast is rainier and lusher, and the military I.D. at places that advertise mili- day trips, such as to Hanauma Bay. south coast, with Poipu Beach, is con- tary discounts. *** sidered the sunnier. And dont take the published rate as Been to the North Shore, the Its a little harder to find bargains on gospel. Always ask about specials. If Polynesian Cultural Center and the Ari- this island. Accommodations range from youre not worried about a room with an zona Memorial one too many times? Then very high-end hotels to condominiums, ocean view, youll probably shave quite a get off Oahu and ease into the pace of B&Bs and cottages. But a little ingenu- few bucks off the bill in the end. Get on island time on one of the other islands. (See KAUAI, page 3) The Kwajalein Hourglass Jest for Fun By Ron Tsubamoto Commanding Officer...Col. Curtis L. Wrenn Jr. Public Affairs Officer..............Preston Lockridge Editor..........................................Jim Bennett Associate Editor...............................Peter Rejcek Feature Writers....................Barbara Johnson KW Hillis Graphics Designer ...........................Dan Adler Sports Writer ............................Bruce Sinkula The Hourglass is named for the insignia of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, which liberated the island from the forces of Impe- rial Japan on Feb 4, 1944. The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized publication for military personnel, federal em- ployees, contractor workers and their families assigned to USAKA/KMR. Contents of the Hourglass are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, De- partment of Defense, Department of the Army or USAKA/KMR. It is published Tuesdays and Fridays using a network printer by Raytheon Range Systems Engineering edito- rial staff, P.O. Box 23, APO AP 96555. Phone: Autovon 254-3539; local 53539. Printed circulation: 2,000 Friday July 13, 2001 Kwajalein Hourglass Page 3 Range mission set for Sunday From Staff Reports Integrated Flight Test 6 is scheduled for Sunday, July 15. Caution times are 12:31 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In conjunction with this operation, a cau- tion area exists in and around Kwajalein Atoll. See the July 10 Hourglass for maps. Beginning 6 p.m. today and until further notice, the mid-atoll corridor is off limits to all non-mission watercraft and personnel. Police clearance measures began earlier this week. Along with the current heightened security status, RMI security forces aboard the Lomore are patrolling an area extending 12 miles east of Meck Island, ocean side. Avoid this area until further notice. The RMI prosecutor has stated that any- (Photo by Jim Bennett) one caught helping disrupt USAKAs mission Sitting in the Emergency Operations Center, Lt. Col. Steve Morris, left, and Dick Lupton will be prosecuted. discuss logistics issues concerning the IFT-6 mission. In the event of a mission slip, the caution times and areas will be in effect: Teams monitor mission readiness ... 12:31 p.m. Monday, July 16, through 8:30 (From page 1) water surrounding the nation, with orders to p.m.