Vol. 56 No. 8 Aug 2009 Deployed members prepare to hula and haka by Tech. Sgt. Betty J. Squatrito-Martin It started out as just an idea. Like most good ideas, it began to sprout wings and take on a life of its own. Suddenly, the desert became alive with hula, haka and Hawaiian music as deployed members of the Hawaii Air National Guard work to spread the Spirit of Aloha to Iraq. The idea turned into the “506 ECS Hoolaulea 2009.” Nearly four dozen members of the HIANG who are deployed to Iraq started to orga- nize and prepare a traditional Hawaiian luau over a month ago for the people at the Kirkuk Regional Air Base. As the deployment continues, so do the preparations for the luau that is slated for Aug. 21. It’s getting down to crunch time, only a few weeks to go before the big day, said Master Sgt. Sean Iida, 1st Sgt. of the Maui- courtesy photo Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard rehearse hula in preparation see LUAU page 4 for the luau slated for Aug. 21, at Kirkuk Regional Air Base. HIANG members send a “taste of home” to the desert by Tech. Sgt. Betty J. Squatrito-Martin July 17, filled with local snacks and ployed, I saw everyone getting care “Thank you very much for the other goodies for every deployed packages, and I noticed how happy care package, it is really great to Guard member. it made them, so I wanted to make have such a great family support To date, 176 packages have been see CARE page 8 staff at home to give us a “touch” mailed and received. of home while we are out here at The remainder of Kirkuk,” said Tech. Sgt. Richard the packages will be Pacheco, 506th Expeditionary Com- mailed in the near munications Squadron upon receiv- future. ing care packages from home. So, it “ E v e r y o n e g o t can be said, when deployed, there’s something, said 1st nothing like a little taste of home. Lt. Sean Y. Matti- That is exactly what the deployed moe, commander members of the Hawaii Air National Plans and Resources Guard received upon opening the Flight, 506 ECS. “It is care packages sent by their fellow such a great thing to Guardsmen. see their faces when HIANG members, along with they are told that they photo by Tech. Sgt. Betty J. Squatrito-Martin members from Family Readiness, have mail.” Members of the HIANG take time out of their Friday prepared over 200 care packages “When I was de- evening to package goodies for the deployed troops. 2 Kukailimoku • Aug 2009 Commander’s Call: Change is in the air by Col. Joseph K. Kim, Interim Commander 154 WG Aloha! Lt. Col. Pete Fata, Wing Chief of Plans. Welcome also We’re nearly two-thirds to Lt. Col. Bob Chowhoy (SE) and Maj. Brian Kilty of the way through the “101 (XP). Mahalo to our outgoing Wing Staff Officers: Lt. Critical Days” and you’re Col. Woody Woodrow (204 AS/CC), Lt. Col. Damon all doing a magnificent job Pescaia (203 ARS/DO), Lt. Col. Stan Snow (109 in maintaining a culture of AOG), Maj. Chris Hagood (203 ARS, PACAF A5U), safety. Maj. Jeff Tidwell (199FS, HQ ACC), Capt. Ken Mat- Please, always remember suda (204 AS/DOTS) and Capt. Regina Berry (HQ that each of us has the power and duty to break the HIANG). In addition, congratulations to Master Sgt. “chain of events” that culminate in mishaps and ac- Kristen Stanley for being competitively selected as cidents. I’ll be attending the ANG’s Executive Safety the First Sergeant for the 297 ATCS! Summit in St Louis, Mo. this week to interact with Finally, special congratulations and aloha to Chief Safety experts from around the nation and to hear Master Sgt Craig Harimoto (SE), who is retiring after what the Air National Guard safety concerns are di- more than 41 years of service in the HIANG. Mahalo rectly from our ANG Director, Lt Gen Harry M. Wyatt, and best wishes Chief Harimoto! and the new ANG Readiness Center Commander, As a reminder to all of our Senior NCOs, I would Col. Michael McDonald. like to put in a special request to all of our senior Mahalo to all of you who continue to support the enlisted members to attend the upcoming SNCO on-going Commando Sling deployment to Singapore. Conference, Aug. 5-6. It is a great opportunity to This 154th Wing effort is a great way to sunset the come together to re-focus, to renew friendships, to F-15 era and demonstrate, once again, the tremen- add a few new tools to your toolbox, and to dialog dous amount of air power we bring to the fight in with HIANG senior leaders. Please make the time to our nation’s defense. attend and help shape our collective future! Over the past few months we’ve had some person- In closing, please thank your families, friends and nel changes in the Wing Headquarters. Congratula- significant others who support you in your efforts as tions to Lt. Col. Matt Beals, Wing Chief of Safety and our national citizen-soldiers. Kuka’ilimoku This funded Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of the US military services. Contents of the Kuka’ilimoku are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the US Government, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Air Force or the Hawaii Air National Guard. This publication is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 154th Wing, Hawaii 96853-5517. Telephone: DSN/ (315) 448-7320 / (808) 448-7320. Send e-mail submis- sions, comments or suggestions inter- nally to Kuka’ilimoku or externally to KUKA’ILIMOKU@ HIHICK.ANG.AF.MIL. The Kuka’ilimoku can be seen on the 154th Wing intranet web page at http://154web/. The punctuation of the name of this publica- tion was researched by the Indo-Pacific Language Department at the University of Hawaii. All photos are United States Air Force photos unless otherwise noted. COMMANDER Col. Joseph K. Kim STAFF Capt. Regina Berry PAO Master Sgt. Kristen Stanley Tech. Sgt. Betty J. Squatrito-Martin Staff Sgt. Andrew Jackson PA Representative Published by 154th Wing Public Affairs Office Kukailimoku • Aug 2009 Take advantage of the GI Bill; it does a mind good by Command Chief Master Sgt. Robert S.K. Lee III, 154 WG yourself the opportunity to expand your learning capacity. Aloha all, summer is coming The Air National Guard possesses a to an end very quickly, and great deal of educational benefit pro- school will be back in session grams that literally allow all of us to soon. Self improvement is seek self improvement through higher something I think we can all education. agree, though it may not be There are countless venues of educa- required, is certainly a huge tional institutions that understand the benefit. One of the “Seven Habits” military benefit programs. You may choose to learnby from Stephen Covey, “Seek way of being in a classroom environment or in the high- first to understand, then to be tech version of a virtual classroom. With the wealth understood” expounds on the of knowledge and numerous opportunities available basis of learning. out there, it just makes sense to take advantage of of Taking a moment to define, digest, question and the educational opportunities. Seeking a degree gives validate helps lead us to understand, which, in-turn, you better pay opportunities in employment and/or equips us to be able to convey and articulate our even a better chance of landing a preferred job when thoughts so we may be understood. competing for employment. Seeking higher learning opportunities is something Young or old, seek out your Unit Career Advisor or we should consider no matter what. There is always stop by the base education office and inquire about something to learn no matter what our age is. Whether getting yourself mentally fit. Just as physical fitness it is to address a weakness you possess or strengthen is healthy for your body, constant learning is healthy a capability you already exceed at, consider affording for your mind. Let’s Roll!!!!! Wing IG explains “Line of Duty” Headgear: by Lt. Col. Tomah-Lani Noh 154 WG/IG in order to obtain emergency medi- cal care, follow-up treatments, and BDU/ABU/DCU Cap As the Inspector General for the assure that you are financially Wing, I have learned some valuable The BDU, covered. Work with your chain of information as it relates to Line of ABU and DCU command. Duty and why it is so important. are mandato- Injuries incurred or illnesses/dis- If you are in an accident or get ry. The head- eases contracted while on a duty hurt while on status (UTA, AT, or gear should be status or while traveling to or from ST) you need to notify your chain of duty must be reported as soon as worn squarely command as soon as possible. possible to the unit commander or on the head “Line of Duty” is the foundation supervisor and wing safety. Failure with no hair for establishing the Air National to report such injuries in a timely protruding in front of the cap. Guard member’s benefits, including fashion may jeopardize a claim. All When the headgear is not be- payment of civilian medical/dental such cases must be reported within ing worn, it may be stowed in services.