New Laser sailboats arrive — page 3 Finance gets new digs — page 12 Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004(Christian Tyler Rusby sails one of the new Laser sailboats - photo by Mig Owens) The Kwajalein Hourglass www.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html Editorial New editor on board, comes to Kwaj from desert By Nell M. Drumheller really needed to be close to water beware. Editor again. I was warned about the On a profes- heat, but compared to Tucson or sional note, I I’m the new editor at The Hour- Phoenix it really doesn’t seem all feel that the glass, and for some crazy reason that warm here. I’m excited about n e w s p a p e r the staff here thinks that’s news. being here, and I’m sure after my should respond We’re trained in journalism to tell household goods arrive next month to the needs the story, not be the story so it’s I’ll feel more at home. I wish I had a of its readers. a challenge for me to write about kitchen, as I am an avid cook. The staff of myself. During my Air Force career I trav- The Hourglass I’m coming from southern Arizo- is experienced na where I was the managing editor I warn all residents of with the nu- of the Fort Huachuca Scout. Fort ances of this Huachuca is the Army’s home for Kwajalein that if they see me c o m m u n i t y Nell Drumheller military intelligence and is primar- on a bicycle they should and I will make every effort to not ily a training installation. It is in get in their way as they continue to Sierra Vista and part of its 72,000 run for safety. produce the paper. I hope that my acres borders Mexico. experiences will add a twist to the I started working in journalism eled extensively and was stationed paper and occasionally offer a fresh in 1979 while in the Air Force. I in Michigan, New Hampshire, approach. have basic and advanced training Washington, Germany, Hawaii and Please feel free to stop by, I’d like in journalism, photography and Washington, D.C. to meet as many people as possible. editing. I am an Air Force retiree. I I warn all residents of Kwajalein My number at work is 52114, and retired in 1993. that if they see me on a bicycle they my e-mail is: [email protected] I came to Kwajalein unaccompa- should run for safety. I grew up on ka.smdc.army.mil. I look forward to nied, my husband and adult son a ranch in Idaho and started riding hearing from you, getting your feed- own a business in Bisbee, Ariz. I horses as a toddler but didn’t get back on the paper and your ideas came to the Marshall Islands be- around to learning how to ride a for stories. Enough about me, tell cause I love going to new places, bike. So, if and when I give it a try me about you. and after eight years in the desert The Kwajalein Hourglass Marshallese Word of the Day jal — road Commanding Officer........COL Beverly Stipe Public Affairs Officer...LuAnne Fantasia Editor...............................Nell Drumheller Buckminster and Friends by Sabrina Mumma Assistant Editor......................Mig Owens Graphics Designer....................Dan Adler Reporter................................ Jan Waddell Circulation....................... Will O’Connell The Hourglass is named for the insignia of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, which liberated the island from the forces of Imperial Japan on Feb 4, 1944. The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized publication for military personnel, federal employees, contractor workers and their families assigned to USAKA. Contents of the Hourglass are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or USAKA. It is published Tuesdays and Fridays in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1 and using a network printer by Kwajalein Range Services editorial staff, P.O. Box 23, APO AP 96555. Phone: Autovon 254-3539; local 53539. Printed circulation: 2,000 The Kwajalein Hourglass 2 Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 The Kwajalein Hourglass Small Boat Marina unveils Laser sailboats By Mig Owens ing endorsment are welcome in the C boat area when Assistant Editor carrying a handheld VHF radio and accompanied by at least one other boat. Sailing is limited to the area Single-handed Laser sailboats have made their way within the western tip of Kwajalein, Buoy KH8, and to Kwajalein via the closing of Johnston Island and the tip of the fuel pier, for sailors without a full SMB are now available for rent. The 12-foot, single-sail fi- sailing endorsement. Water Safety SPI 385-9 and SPI berglass boats can reach speeds of up to 12 miles per 1090-R1 govern Laser usage, according to Rusby, and hour and cater to a wide range of sailing abilities, ac- the buddy system is required when two or more boats cording to Christian Tyler Rusby, Small Boat Marina are in use. coordinator. “We have wanted to improve our sailing program for “This boat type is used in many racing fleets in the years and the Lasers are the perfect thing to get new states,” Rusby said. sailors interested,” Smead said. “They are a fun boat These performance boats are the first of three that is easy to learn and fun to use. We really hope the types of boats received from Johnson community takes advantage of this opportunity and Island, which will be incorporated into puts them to good use.” the safety regulations here on Kwaja- Smead says that there are other boats waiting lein. to be introduced into the rental system at the In order to rent the Lasers, resi- SMB. dents must be at least 16 years “The Marina has six 22-foot Twin Vee catama- of age. Sailors with a Small Boat ran powerboats on order and we anticipate their Marina endorsement simply need a arrival around end of October or beginning rigging rating. Sailors without a of November,” Smead SBM sailing endorsement must said. “However, timing take a practical test and rig- has been impacted by ging rating, for a lim- the storms in Florida ited license. since the Twin Vee Rigging endorse- Factory is located ments will now be of- there. These boats will fered Thursdays and be used to replace our Fridays by appoint- aging Boston Whaler ment at the SMB. fleet.” According to Sim- According to Smead, one Smead, Com- Kwajalein received munity Activities de- two 20-foot Twin Eve’s partment manager, from JI and a pontoon the SBM will offer boat has already been introductory classes introduced into the for the Lasers in the fleet. near future. “There are more pon- “We are still getting toons and one is going our hands around to Roi but we are find- this program but ing that the JI boats are we are very close,” requiring work to make Smead said. “If an them operable,” Smead individual is inter- said. “Because they are ested in learning, new to our fleet, we call the SBM and (Photo by Mig Owens) don’t have their parts they will take your on hand and it is tak- Christian Tyler Rusby, Small Boat Marina coordinator, prepares to set name for upcoming sail on one of the new Laser sailboats, which he says “are in really ing time to get them classes.” good condition and were bought new for Johnston Island.” up and running.” Although the La- Smead says that ser boats and sails overall, SBM custom- are stored at Camp ers have many good Hamilton, they must be checked out from the SBM. things to look forward to.“We have not had this kind A rudder is required to make the sailboats operable of infusion of assets since 1996 when we got 18 brand and it will be provided by the SBM dispatch clerk. The new 70 HP Evinrudes” Smead added. “Since that time, Lasers are available for rent at a cost of $4 per hour budget constraints have only allowed us to purchase with 20 minutes given for travel each way to and from boats and engines in very small quantities. This is re- Camp Hamilton. ally the large replacement program that we have been According to Rusby, sailors with a full SBM sail- waiting for because it’s much needed.” The Kwajalein Hourglass Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 3 The Kwajalein Hourglass Medical referrals determined by guidelines By Jan Waddell ral paperwork to the employees’ Human Resource Reporter Office. Even though the HRO has to review the medical If medical conditions, illnesses or injuries cannot referral recommendation “no medical information is be completely treated on Kwajalein, medical refer- passed on to HR,” Diehl said. rals are available as long as certain guidelines are This process is for non-critical patients only, for criti- met. cal patients Diehl coordinates all travel, hospital/hotel According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Eric Lindborg, and appointment arrangements. if a patient needs specific consultation, testing or has Once a medical referral is formally approved by CMO a condition which cannot be managed on Kwaj then a the referral authorization is forwarded to the employer. medical referral to Honolulu may become necessary. Usually the individual is reimbursed for the airfare to One of the first criteria that is looked at is “can we Hawaii, but each employer makes final determination handle [the condition] or not,” Lindborg said.