VOL.35 NO.16 | APRIL 21, 2006 INSIDE Hawaii honors its fallen war heroes 120 families receive the who had made the ultimate sacrifice. tion while serving the nation as part of Op- of the armed forces, reserves and Hawaii The families of fallen service members re- eration Iraqi Freedom and Operation En- National Guard who were residents of the Hawaii Medal of Honor ceived the Hawaii Medal of Honor on behalf during Freedom. State of Hawaii, attended an educational in- of their loved ones. “The Hawaii Medal of Honor is a symbol stitution in Hawaii, or were stationed STATE REPRESENTATIVE K. MARK TAKAI The Special Joint Session of the legisla- of our remembering those who stood tall for in Hawaii by order of the U.S. Department 34th Representative District ture met in the House Chambers, April 18. our values so that we may live in a land per- of Defense. HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Senate In 2005, the legislature passed House Bill 8, petuated in righteousness,” said Sen. Nor- As of February 28, 2006, Hawaii has and Hawaii State House of Representatives which created the Hawaii Medal of Honor to man Sakamoto, chair of the Senate Com- lost 120 service members with Hawaii ties convened in a special joint session to award — on behalf of the people of the mittee on Education and Military Affairs. recognize military service members State of Hawaii — an individual killed in ac- Recipients of the medal include members SEE MEDAL, A-12 66th Eng. Setting up camp welcome In Iraq, 84th Engineers and Seabees help locals home last become self-sufficient A-4 Soldier Story and Photos by SPC. AMANDA FLEMETT 2nd Brigade Public Affairs SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — The last deployed Soldier from 66th Engineers has returned. Spc. Bryant Jacobs arrived in Hawaii, April 13, to a hero’s welcome. His unit returned 18 months prior. “It’s not every day that we get a chance to say thank-you and welcome home to one of our own heroes. It’s an honor for me to be here today, and I know it’s an honor for you to stand here today,” said Brig. General Fran- cis J. Wiercin- ski, assistant Against the division com- mander for support, 25th ropes Infantry Divi- sion, at Grapplers and boxers Jacobs’ recog- leave it all on the mat at nition cere- Jacobs mony in Fer- Lightning Rumble IV nandez Hall, B-1 April 18. In the eleventh month of his Members of the Federal Fire Department HAZMAT team wearing Level A personal protective equipment and carrying testing equipment head yearlong tour, Jacobs’ HMMWV across the parade field at Palm Circle on Fort Shafter during a chemical biological, nuclear and radiological explosion exercise April 13. was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). Another Soldier with him, Spc. David Mahlenbrock, was killed instantly. Agency cooperation rules day for CBRNE According to Sgt. Christopher Harry, a team leader in the 66th, Fort Shafter tests its level ercise brought together first-response teams (MPs) and the Federal Fire Department the day was like any other; they from federal, state and local agencies to test (FFD) units were both on scene. The MPs were conducting a routine route of preparedeness with joint their effectiveness and abilities at coordi- helped to establish a perimeter, while the clearance. The team had just emergency response teams nation. FFD made an initial assessment of the sce- cleared the road and was on a re- “Although this exercise used a chemical nario situation. turn sweep. Story and Photos by scenario, these same first responders would While some firemen unwrapped the “We didn’t notice it because we DONNA KLAPAKIS be present in any type of event. … It may hoses and hooked them to hydrants, oth- had just cleared the route. I was Staff Writer not be a CBRNE event; it could be a tsuna- ers donned protective gear and interviewed two trucks behind him. FORT SHAFTER — At 9:01 a.m., April 13, mi,” said Lt. Col. Anthony Skinner, exercise evacuees outside the building to find out if They were about one hundred a blast went off in the headquarters build- director. others were still inside. After finding out meters from the check point when ing of U.S. Army, Pacific, Command here, A CBRNE tabletop exercise had been that “victims” were still inside, firemen the IED exploded,” said Harry. collapsing the mauka (north) side of the held in 2002, but culminating six months’ went into the building to rescue them. The IED hit the passenger side of building. planning, last week was the first chance for “Victims” feigned symptoms of chemical the HMMWV, throwing Jacobs Patriotic Tour While the blast was real, the collapse was a joint-response exercise on Oahu. exposure after they were brought from the from the vehicle. He was spotted not. Both were part of a three-day chem- Within minutes of the “blast,” employ- building. Firemen then hosed them down lying on the ground and believed Lee Greenwood and a ical, biological, radiological and nuclear ex- ees who were not playing victims had to be alright. Upon reaching Ja- star-studded cast rock plosion (CBRNE) exercise scenario. The ex- evacuated the building, and military police SEE SHAFTER, A-8 cobs, Soldiers discovered he was badly hurt and unconscious. Hickam Air Force Base “It [the IED] came from under- B-5 neath the vehicle, so it caught him in the back of the legs and [shrap- nel] came up on his back and out of his stomach … and continued Army combats sexual assault through awareness up,” explained 1st Sgt. Walter Howell, 66th Engineer first ser- Kolekole Pass Program creates climate response, reporting and accounta- a long way to go.” geant, candidly. “That’s how “Our current reporting that encourages victims bility. Mahlenbrock was killed, because it Street will close from March 20, 2006, the Army’s sen- method encourages victims to hit him in the face.” 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 to report without fear ior leaders — Secretary of the Army come forward without fear or “I really don’t remember much to repair potholes. Francis J. Harvey, Army Chief of shame,” said Sandra Crocker, [about the explosion] except for CHRISTA B. THOMAS Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, and regional sexual assault being very uncomfortable,” said Staff Writer Sergeant Major of the Army Sgt. response coordinator Jacobs. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston — signed a (SARC). Jacobs’ mother, Sherry Scheid- SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — April Before June 2005, vic- is Sexual Assault Awareness proclamation emphasizing, “sexual ing recalls the moment she heard This issue assault is contrary to Army values, tims reported assault her son had been hurt in Iraq. Month and post leaders are incidents through their using this month to highlight degrades mission readiness and is a “Your whole world just stops,” Lightning Six A-2 crime.” chain of command. How- she said. “We didn’t know, at first, the Army’s Sexual Assault ever, the procedure Prevention and Response (SAPR) The proclamation further reads, how he was … how bad the in- Deployment Series A-3 “During 2005, the Army had escaped no one’s atten- juries were or if he would sur- Program. tion — the military com- News Briefs A-6 In January 2005, the SAPR over 1,200 reported cases of sexual vive.” assault in which either the alleged mand and reporting “Having been through the ex- program was created to reinforce the structure was a perpetrator or the victim was a perience [of deployment], you try Community B-2 Army’s commitment to eliminate hindrance to incidents of sexual assault through Soldier – more than a 70 percent to give some hint of the surprises MWR Sports B-7 awareness and prevention, training increase from 2004. …We have made and education, victim advocacy, much progress, but we still have SEE ASSAULT, A-8 Ray Kachatorian | Getty Images SEE JACOBS, A-12 A-2 | APRIL 21, 2006 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY NEWS & COMMENTARY We want to Lightning Six hear from you... Military ‘brats’ cope The Hawaii Army Weekly Proclamation celebrates welcomes articles from Army or- with challenges, thrive ganizations, announcements from the general public about communi- ty events of interest to the military community, and letters and com- volunteers’ service, aloha in an uncertain world mentaries. ELAINE WILSON children also manage to pick up a If you have newsworthy ideas or The 33rd annual National Vol- sources. Their contributions make our communities stories you’d like to write, Army News Service positive attribute along the way – unteer Week will be celebrated happier and healthier places to live. adaptability. coordinate with the managing FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas from the 23rd to the 29th of Our volunteers represent a broad range of organ- Keena said “When I go to col- editor at 655-4816, or e-mail — Deployed to Afghanistan for a editor@hawaiiarmyweek ly.com. April 2006. This year’s theme, izations and activities where they inspire and men- lege, I don’t think it will be as year, Lt. Col. Timothy Newcomer The editorial deadline for “Volunteers Spread the Aloha tor our youth, support deployed Soldiers and their hard for me as other kids.” “I will miss his son’s prom, high articles and announcements is the Spirit,” reflects the Army’s tra- families and offer assistance when there is a tragedy. know how to adjust to change school graduation and his depar- Friday prior to Friday publications. dition of providing assistance On behalf of the Soldiers and civilians of the 25th and feel prepared.” Prior coordination is mandatory.