Kwajalein Hourglass THE KWAJALEIN HOURGLASS Volume 40, Number 88 Friday, November 3, 2000 U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands Community votes for cable; work in progress By Barbara Johnson and KW Hillis Feature Writers The community said yes, they are willing to pay, and USAKA/KMR is moving ahead on plans to cable the island for TV and radio. It appears that there is pretty wide- spread support at the community level [for CATV], said Lt. Col. Steve Morris, USAKA/KMR operations as- sistant chief of staff. When he saw the results, the commander said, Ok, we know what we want, go back and see if we can make it happen. Last month, residents of Kwaj and Roi responded to surveys asking if they would pay for CATV and up- graded Internet service. Altogether, 453 residents replied, and, overall, 71 percent said they would pay an average of $21.04 a month for CATV. (Photo by Jim Bennett) [That average number] is what we Craig McCarraher, CPN chief engineer, checks out patch panels, which will distribute will use to figure the revenue to offset cable signals should cable television come to the island. A recent survey indicated a the operating costs, Morris said. majority of island residents would pay for cable service. Positive responses were lower for Internet upgrades, with 43 percent Internet options. not be done now, upgrading may take overall saying they would pay for The interesting thing was that place in the future if more residents 56KBS Internet, and 47 percent for people were mostly happy with the want it. 128KBS Internet. They would spend [Internet] service they get for free When and if the island gets cable an average of $17.42 and $22.96, now, Morris said, adding that al- upgrades depends on results of a respectively, for the two high-speed though upgrading the Internet may (See CATV, page 3) SMDC’s Dorsey allies with Kwaj Community calendar published monthly DCSOPS visits island and came to Kwajalein as one of several people visiting for an anti- From Staff Reports By Jim Bennett terrorism assessment. Not sure whats coming up in Editor The range is not a Bosnia, Dorsey the next 90 days? The Hourglass Kwajalein has a new friend. said. You dont have security issues has you covered. Lt. Col. (promotable) Rick Dorsey, peak everyday. Its in the intel brief- On the suggestion of Col. Curtis deputy chief of staff operations at ings and such. L. Wrenn Jr., USAKA/KMR com- the U.S. Army Space and Missile As deputy chief of staff for opera- mander, the Hourglass now will Defense Command, visited last week. tions and force protection officer, publish a 90-day calendar the I needed to come here to get a full Dorsey helps coordinate efforts be- first week of every month. (See appreciation of what goes on out tween the range and the Department pages 6-7.) here, Dorsey said. I have now expe- of the Army, Pacific and Pacific Com- The calendar can be torn out rienced it, rather than heard about it mand. and posted on the fridge, or just in e-mails. Youll always have an ally My coming here does not prevent filed somewhere for later refer- in Huntsville. the great folks of Kwajalein from co- ence. Dorsey, who also serves as force ordinating directly with DoA, Pacific To have information posted in protection officer for the command, or PACOM, he said. Were here to the calendar, contact USAKA/ took over the staff job 3½ months ago support Kwajalein. KMR Public Affairs at 51098. www.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html Friday Page 2 Kwajalein Hourglass November 3, 2000 90-day snapshot … three questions … and a Hooah! As of Oct. 27, it has been 90 days for until the last minute!) Bottom line my short tenure as commander, and she really enjoys life here at I continue to be impressed by the Kwajalein. caliber and quality of both people The third most often asked ques- and the community. tion is my favorite. Sir, what does I appreciate the warm welcome my Hooah mean? wife and I have received. I especially Well, it means everything and it enjoy meeting and talking to many of means nothing. Hooah, (pronounced you. Generally, there are three ques- it is sheer frustration. who-uh) is an expletive (not obscen- tions most often asked, and I will There isnt enough money. Ive got ity) uttered by soldiers as an affirma- share them with you. too much direction from higher head- tion, salutation, proclamation, ova- First, How do you like Kwajalein? quarters and there are three com- tion or question. It is a word to fill out Well, generally five days a week I feel peting events scheduled simulta- a sentence. Example: The boss is- as though I should return a portion of neously. On these days I stroll to the sues an order and you acknowledge my pay. I cant believe the Army pays window, look out at the ocean and Hooah! me to do this job! The job offers a new weigh the question the Pentagon In the soldiers mind, his or her challenge every day. This is such a or Kwajalein? Instantly Im reminded Hooah! to the boss means: diverse operation. Also, the enter- that Ive got it good. 1. Thats the dumbest thing I ever tainment options are endless. But, The second most asked question is heard but will execute anyway. there are those other two days when How does your wife like Kwajaelin? 2. I dont understand, wont admit Well, just being with me makes life it, but will acknowledge the order and You have the right to write grand for Sheila (ha!), so Id have to ask someone else for clarification. If you have a communitywide issue to raise, tell you she loves it. Does that sound 3. I understand and will comply. perhaps you should write a letter to the conceited and will I pay a hefty (Wilco for civilians.) editor. Keep your verbage to less than 300 price for saying it?! No, she is a 4. Enthusiastic gesture just so the words, and keep your comments to the issues. Letters must be signed. We will edit typical Army wife a great lady who boss acknowledges your presence for AP Style and, if you exceed the word limit, makes a home for her husband and and the fact that youre a team- space. Please limit yourself to one letter family where ever duty calls. Sheila player. every 30 days, to give other readers a is volunteering at Queen of Peace So, you see, Hooah! can mean a lot chance to write. Elementary school on Ebeye, work- of things, but I prefer to use it in a Send your letter to: The Hourglass, P.O. Box 23, Local; or ing with the other Army wives and positive, can-do, affirmative manner. [email protected]. enjoying various recreational activi- As you come across someone in the ties (when shes not hosting some community today or tomorrow, greet The Kwajalein Hourglass event that I forgot to tell her about them with a big Hooah! for me. Commanding Officer...Col. Curtis L. Wrenn Jr. Jest for Fun By Ron Tsubamoto Public Affairs Officer..............Preston Lockridge Editor..........................................Jim Bennett Associate Editor...............................Peter Rejcek Feature Writers.........................Barbara Johnson Bob Fore KW Hillis Graphics Designer ...........................Dan Adler Circulation Manager.................Bobby Lamug Sr. 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: 2,300 Friday November 3, 2000 Kwajalein Hourglass Page 3 CATV plan proceeds ... (From page 1) Morris said. If we can make this survey by an off-island cabling com- happen, we need to include [Discov- pany and the operating and startup ery]. costs. Another major factor in the up- We wont know that until we look grade is the cost saving to CPN. The at the numbers [from the survey], initial investment for CPN would be Morris said. But all the cable conduit large, but the cost saving in the long already put under the new roads will run would be huge, McCarraher save a lot of time and money. said. Cabling the island will affect more The up-front cost would be new than just the viewing habits of resi- distribution equipment for the cable dents. channels. If the island is cabled, it will dras- Another factor, according to tically change the way Central Pa- McCarraher, is that fewer transmit- cific Network does business, said ters would be needed. Because Craig McCarraher, CPN chief engi- AFRTS is the commanders hotline neer. in case of emergency, a minimum of CPN wont have to staff the office 24 one radio and one TV station would hours a day, although someone would be broadcast over a transmitter so be on call. they could be heard by someone Stephanie (Cline) and John Finley McCarraher said Kwaj would get at without access to a cable at the least nine channels, which would beach, on a boat or at Ebeye, for Cline and Finley wed include six stations from AFRTS, all example.