AWAII RMY EEKLY Vol. 34 No.H 47 Serving the U.S. ArmyA community in Hawaii http://www.25idl.army.mil/haw.aspW November 25, 2005 What’s Inside Lightning Six . .A-2 The 3-25th Training . .A-3 29th BCT troops return Transformation . .A-5 is among Soldiers . .A-7 Health . .A-10 Story and Photo by Spc. Juan Jimenez Staff Writer MWR . .B-2 the latest Community . .B-3 SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers from 1st Sports & Fitness . .B-5 Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, and 227th Engi- neers Company, Hawaii Army National Guard, arrived home from Kuwait, Nov. 17, after an 11- activations Cell phone ban month deployment supporting Operation Iraqi New policy prohibits Freedom. Story and Photo by Anticipating their return, families stood by with operating a cell phone while Pfc. Kyndal Brewer numerous signs and greetings including “Welcome Staff Writer also physically driving a Home Daddy” and “We’ve missed you,” at Martinez motor vehicle on U.S. Army, Gym. WHEELER ARMY AIR Hawaii, installations. The Excitement filled the air as family members FIELD— The audience of policy applies to remote cell greeted Soldiers with roaring applause. family members and distin- phone devices too, for exam- “I want to thank all the spouses and family mem- guished guests took their ple, using headphones or ber of these Soldiers,” said Brig. Gen. Vern T. Miya- seats as the Army band earphones to talk on cell gi, commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, began to play the Adjutant’s phones while driving. “because without their support the mission would Call indicating the 3rd Bat- Violations of the new poli- Military keiki anxiously await their father’s return from have not been possible.” talion, 25th Aviation Regi- cy can result in punishment Kuwait at the 29th BCT welcome home ceremony at Mar- ment, Activation Ceremony for any violator, whether mil- tinez Gym, Schofield Barracks, Nov. 17. See “Home,” page A-6 was about to commence, Nov. itary or civilian. 17 at Hillclimber Ramp here. “The Soldiers you see before you form the backbone of this battalion … a battal- ion that today activates three Alaska EOD companies, and in the coming months [that] will expand … our capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Michael Fleetwood, battal- team claims ion commander of 3rd Bn., 25th Avn. Regt. The three new compa- top honors nies are Headquarters and Headquarters Com- pany; Co. C, a medical Story & Photos by Sgt Dijon Rolle evacuation (medevac) com- 17th Public Affairs Detachment pany; and Co. D, an aviation BARKING SANDS PACIFIC MIS- support company. 65th Engineers Charlie Co.’s “Air Ambu- The 25th Infantry Divi- SILE RANGE FACILITY, Kauai — Imagine being strapped inside a 75- lance” took the place of the sion continues to transform pound suit made of the same materi- 68th Medical Detachment, with unit activations and al as your Kevlar. which was deactivated dur- inactivations. A-5 The dense, padded material clings ing the ceremony. to your body allowing little airflow to The 3-25th was originally Good Neighbor reach your skin. Your mask, your constituted June 17, 1979, in only source of visibility, begins to fog the regular Army as Co. C, Joe Contest as you try to disable an improvised 25th Avn. Bn., an element of explosive device. the 25th Infantry Division. Entries are still wanted to October 15, 1985, the com- give Good Neighbor Joe — This particular scenario was all too real for eight Soldiers competing pany was inactivated and the 25th Infantry Division in this year’s U.S. Army Pacific then reactivated Jan. 16, and U.S. Army, Hawaii’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team 1986, here at WAAF. symbol for commitment to of the Year Competition held here May 16, 1988, the compa- the environment and cultur- Nov.14-17. ny was reorganized and al resources — a catchy slo- Donning a “bomb suit,” however, redesignated as Co. C, 25th gan. was just one of several challenges Avn. Rgt., and then was Submit your suggestions faced by the four teams of EOD relieved from assignment to to Edward.Abersong@scho Soldiers. The annual event kicked the 25th Inf. Div. and reas- field.army.mil by Nov. 30. off with a physical contest. Competi- signed to the 10th Mountain The best slogan will garner tors completed an obstacle course Division. Soon after, Oct. 15, 1988, dinner for four. and a five-and-a-half-mile road march. Co. C was reorganized and Get more details at became HHC, 3rd Bn., 25th www.25idl.army.mil. Each team consisted of two EOD Soldiers from either Alaska’s Staff Sgt. Bradley Avn.Rgt. Then eight years Follow the following, March 15, 1996, “Hawaii Army 716th or Schofield Barracks’ Evans, 716th EOD, 709th Ordnance companies. Togeth- HHC was reorganized and Weekly” tab to Fort Richardson, er the competitors worked to com- became Co. C and was reas- “Archives,” then Alaska, uncovers a signed to the 25th Inf. Div. plete an array of piece of unexploded search for “Good EOD and Soldier tasks during the “The battalion is an exam- Neighbor Joe Con- four-day event, including everything ordnance during the 2005 ple of what is occurring test.” from handling unexploded ordnances U.S. Army Pacific Explosive through out our Army, with in a chemical environment to dis- Ordnance Disposal Team of the … respect to efforts to meet Year competition. our transformational objec- See “Scores,” page A-4 See “3-25th,” page A-6 4 State DoE secures extra $19.8 million in federal impact aid Partnering with MISA Kristina Noriega DAYS and military housing officials since last fatal accident School Liaison Coordinator on Oahu, Takai identified HONOLULU — State 2,900 housing units on Oahu A division training holiday Rep. K. Mark Takai (Aiea- that were vacant due to will be awarded for the first Pearl City) announced a major repairs or significant 100 consecutive days with $19.8 million increase in renovations. Thus, Hawaii no accidental fatalities. A four Federal Impact Aid funds for military fit the provision. day holiday/long weekend the Hawaii Department of Takai’s discovery resulted will be awarded for 200 Education. He then joined a in an increase of $6,441,583 consecutive days with no representative from the in Impact Aid funds — a 16 accidental fatalities. National Military Impacted percent increase in the Schools Association (MISA), $40,022,557 that the DoE military housing and state was already anticipating. education officials to present Two years ago, the DoE the ceremonial check to the received a $6.2 million wind- Hawaii DoE. fall. Last year, the DoE Courtesy Photo The increase in Federal received more than $7 mil- (From left to right) Damien Hertslet, schools; Kyle Fairbanks of MISA; State Impact Aid is the result of lion. The total during the Actus-Hawaii operations manager; Wes Rep. Mark Takai; Patricia Hamamoto, past three years is efforts coordinated by Takai. Nakamoto of RCI; Allen Awaya, U.S. superintendent of Hawaii schools; and Three years ago, he found an $19,835,270. obscure provision in the Fed- Impact Aid provides feder- Pacific Command education liaison; Bennette Evangelista, Actus-Hawaii BE S eral Impact Aid law. The pro- al funding for a portion of the Jason Tamura of RCI; Clayton Fujie, vice president, community relations AFE! educational costs borne by deputy superintendent of Hawaii gather for the check presentation. TROPIC LI vision allows some military GHTNING! districts to get a significant federally connected students. increase in funding for chil- The funds are an “in-lieu-of” that have a military installa- funds for students of military See www.militaryimpact dren displaced by housing tax program. That is, the fed- tion in communities. families living on military edschoolsassociation.org for renovations occurring on mil- eral government pays its “tax The federal government installations versus for stu- more about the MISA and As of 11/23/05 itary installations. bill” to local school districts provides significantly more dents living off base. impact aid. A-2 Hawaii Army Weekly NEWS & COMMENTARY November 25, 2005 We want to USARPAC speaks on safety hear from you... Lightning Six As we cross into 2006, we smart, decisions by not taking need- The Hawaii Army Weekly can take pride in the accom- informed less risks or engaging in welcomes articles from Army plishments and achieve- decisions reckless behavior. organizations, announcements ments of the past year as we made all Take care of each other by from the general public about sends... prepare for the missions that the differ- showing the courage and community events of interest to lie ahead. ence. concern to stop a friend or co- the military community, and let- ters and commentaries. Accidents must This holiday season, take Motor worker from making a bad If you have newsworthy the opportunity to relax vehicle decision. I want you all to ideas or stories you’d like to be prevented. We and enjoy the company of accidents come back safely. write, coordinate with the all have a role. your family and friends. Brown continue to Thank you for your great managing editor at 655-4816, or Two separate vehicle Enjoy the holidays. You’ve be the work and sacrifices this year. e-mail editor@hawaiiarmyweek accidents last weekend cost earned it. number one killer of our Sol- I’m proud of all we’ve accom- ly.com. the lives of two of our Divi- During this time, we need diers outside of combat. plished together. The editorial deadline for sion Soldiers. Their deaths you to make smart, informed Whether you are stationed in I wish you and your fami- articles and announcements is the Friday prior to Friday publi- cause many emotions and decisions.