Subscriberswill receive TheMilitary Star,Dec. 27 and

Jan. 3, when theHawaii Army Weekly

takes its two-week hiatus.

Stopthe presses!

2013 YEAR

IN REVIE

W

Special

See pp. A3-A

10 an

d B4-B

5.

VOL. 42 NO. 50 | December 20, 2013

Big aircraft lands on short runwayBig aircraft lands on short runwayU.S. ARMY GARRISON-HAWAII

Public Affairs

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD — A C-17 Globe-master III piloted by Air Force Col. MichaelMerritt, commander, 15th Operations Group,15th Wing, landed, here, on a runway mostlyused for helicopters, Monday. The arrival and departure of the huge, jet en-

gine cargo aircraft was the end result of fourmonths of planning by the 5th Battlefield Coor-dination Detachment (BCD) assigned to the15th Air Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. What’s unique about the Wheeler runway is

that it is only 5,600-feet long, much shorterthan the one the C-17 took off from, explainedSgt. 1st Class Eric Pettengill, ground liaison officer (GLO).

Pettengill said Merritt brought up the sub-ject of a joint service exercise in September tovalidate the deployment process, setting intomotion the coordination required to make theexercise useful for the Army and Air Force. “I approached the 25th Infantry Division to

see if it was something they wanted to do,” saidPettengill. “It was, and Dec. 16 was the best datethat worked out for both parties.”Soldiers and humvees awaited the arrival to

load up. The road at the western edge of therunway was briefly closed for safety, and groupsof Soldiers and Airmen traded takeoff and land-ing experiences in Afghanistan as the C-17 approached. Capt. Adam Thompson, GLO officer in

charge, 5th BCD, was on board while Pettengillmanaged final arrangements on the tarmac.

The huge Globemaster, easily spottedmiles away against the backdrop of blue

sky, grew larger as it approached from the south,first banking west toward the mountains andthen sharply to the east as it descended on approach. The landing looked textbook perfect as the

C-17 touched down and braked to a stop. “That was a short runway,” said Thompson

afterwards.The C-17 then backed up the runway under

its own power to take on the troops and vehicles. “The 15th Wing continues our partnership

with 25th ID, with our joint base partnership,here, on the island,” said Merritt. “This is just onemore way in which we are able to increase ouropportunities to train together and grow ourpartnership.”“This took a long time to plan, but it was well

worth the time and effort put into it,” said Pet-tengill. “With the coordination between 25thID, 15th Wing and the 5th BCD, we were able toexecute this mission with great success.”

(Editor’s note: The landing was featured on thefront page of Tuesday’s “Honolulu Star-Advertis-er,” Army.mil and other news outlets. Clips ofthe landing are posted online.)

Army divers assist inde-mining Cambodia

STAFF SGT. GAELEN LOWERS8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — The Pacific theater’s waterways are still filledwith explosive remnants of war, sunken munitions that are dangerous if mis-handled. Clearing out these munitions and making these rivers safe for everyone who

relies on them for subsistence is the goal of a joint effort between Army diversand their Pacific neighbors.

As part of Pacific Command’s Humanitarian Mine Action initiative, the7th Engineer Dive Detachment (EDD), 130th Eng. Brigade, 8th Theater Sus-tainment Command, equipped, trained and certified Cambodian Mine ActionCenter (CMAC) divers on military diving protocol and salvage diving opera-tions, Nov. 29-Dec.12.“This training is important not only to build regional partnerships through-

out the U.S. PACOM area of responsibility, but also to specifically enable theCMAC dive team to clean up Cambodia’s waterways,” said Capt. Robert Mey-er, commander, 7th EDD. “The CMAC divers have a very critical mission,and it’s an honor for my team to be involved in building their capability dur-ing this phase of training and the following phases to come.”By traveling to Cambodia, the Soldier divers of the 7th EDD were forced to

focus on aspects of their mission that they may ordinarily overlook or take forgranted.“This training is forcing us to really know our equipment, diving procedures

and techniques,” said Spc. Tony Garcia, second class diver. “To instruct, youreally have to understand and know the material you’re teaching, and givenhow bright these CMAC divers are, we really have to be on our game. They askgreat questions and are very eager to learn, so we are constantly being testedon everything we need to know as divers.”Both countries benefited from the training. The 7th EDD was able to revis-

it training techniques and interact with a culture foreign to them, while theCMAC divers learned proper maintenance procedures, salvage techniques andmilitary diving protocol, ultimately building a program to replicate U.S. mil-itary diving standards.“Having the opportunity to interact with foreign divers and teach them

has increased my confidence,” said Garcia. “Also, knowing we are helping theseCMAC divers to do their mission is very rewarding, and I’m proud to say I waspart of this exercise to help make them successful.”

2nd SBCT names Sprague Best Medic

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft touches down, Monday, in an exercise to demonstrate the ability of the Air Force and Army to rapidly deploy. The runway, a National Historic Landmark dating back to the dawn of aviation,is shorter than the one at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and is mostly used today for helicopters and smaller, propeller driven aircraft. (Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Adora Gonzalez, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs)(Photo has been altered from its original form; background elements have been removed.)

Spc. Brandon Russell (right), combat medic, HHC, 1-14th Inf. Regt., 2nd SBCT, 25th ID, provides medical attention to asimulated eye injury on Pvt. Stephanie Otero, motor transport operator, Co. A, 225th BSB, 2nd SBCT, during the Best MedicCompetition at East Range, Dec. 10.

Tony Garcia (white shirt, right), a second-class diver with the 7th EDD, 130th Eng.Bde., 8th TSC, instructs divers with the Cambodian Mine Action Center on properstart-up procedures and preventative maintenance checks and services for theirnew high-pressure compressor, Nov. 29-Dec.12. (Photo courtesy 7th Engineer DiveDetachment, 130th Eng. Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command)

Soldiers of the 25th ID board a C-17 GlobemasterIII aircraft, Monday, as part of an exercise to testjoint readiness procedures.

Story and photo bySGT. DANIEL JOHNSON

2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs 25th Infantry Division

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers from across the2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divi-sion, gathered, here, and on East Range, Dec. 9-13, tocompete for the title of Best Medic.The competition was based directly on the Expert

Field Medical Badge (EFMB) testing guidelines so thatthe Soldiers are afforded a to-standard practice run before the badge testing is conducted early next year.“This is the EFMB,” said Spc. Brandon Russell, com-

bat medic, Headquarters and Headquarters Compa-ny, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd SBCT.“The lanes, critical skills, grading and evaluation areall based on the (Army Medical Department Centerand School Pamphlet) 350-10 for the EFMB. If we arestudying that and performing these lanes correctly, weare going to be fine for the EFMB.”The Best Medic Competition spans three days and

covers basic Soldiers skills as well as specialized med-ical training.“The competition begins with land navigation, both

day and night, as well as a written test on the first day,”said 1st Lt. Jonathan Boggs, officer in charge of the trau-ma lane events. “The second day consists of a four-event trauma lane and will end on the third day with a12-mile foot-march.”Boggs said the trauma lane is what really lays the

groundwork the medics need to succeed in the EFMBand gives them a chance to show what they know.“It gives them the chance to show off to the brigade

their skills as a medic and earn the coveted title of BestMedic in the brigade,” he said.The lane tested knowledge and the Soldiers’ abilities

to deal with stress in a combat environment. With casualties screaming for help and artillery simulators

blasting in the distance, it is as close to a real life situa-tion as possible.“I learned how important it is to be prepared, as well

as having patience,” said Russell. “There is a lot going on,and pacing yourself — no matter what distractions aregoing on around you — will help you keep your head inthe game.”“This entire event is what it means to be a medic.

This is what medics do. This is what they get paid for,”said Boggs. “They go out and treat causalities that havebeen wounded in combat and prepare them for thenext echelon of care.”“Coming on the first casualty was the most stressful,”

said Russell. “Once I had finished with the first, I hadconfidence building and was able to work through theevents more easily.”This competition and the EFMB early next year is

vital for young medics seeking to advance their careers.“With the war winding down in Afghanistan, the

EFMB is something these Soldiers may need to get pro-moted in the future,” said Boggs. “It sets them apartfrom their peers.” His unit is doing everything possible to set him up for

success, said Russell. The Best Medic competition, aswell as small unit training based upon the EFMB fieldmanual, is conducted regularly to ensure the Soldiers’success.“This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as training for

the EFMB is concerned,” said Boggs. “It is up to theSoldiers and their units to make sure they prepare for theEFMB.”

Winners•Best Medic:

Sgt. Stephen Sprague, 2-14th Cav. Regt.•2nd Place:

Spc. Timothy Anderson, 2-11th FA Regt.•3rd Place:

Pfc. Michael Murphy, 1-27th Inf. Regt.

Four Soldiers with the 5thEngineer Detachment (GeospatialPlanning Cell), 130th Eng.Brigade, 8th Theater SustainmentCommand, donate 84 maps ofOahu and the world to the stu-dents and teachers of the PearlHarbor Elementary School,Tuesday.

"We want to make sure our chil-dren and our community arereceiving the best education pos-sible," said Staff Sgt. AngelicSmith, whose idea it was todonate the maps and who is amother of a child that attendsPearl Harbor Elementary.

"We, as Soldiers, want to supportour community as much as theysupport us," Smith said. (Photoby Staff Sgt. Gaelen Lowers, 8thTheater Sustainment CommandPublic Affairs)

ENGINEERS IN THE CLASSROOM

“Getting theopportunity togive maps andteaching aides toPearl HarborElementary.”

Spc. AdanCisneros5th Eng. Det.(Geospatial PlanningCell), 130th Eng. Bde.,8th TSC

“Being in schoolwith my friends.”

Adam HarlowGrade 3, Pearl HarborElementary School

“Getting a newtrampoline.”

Autumn LarsonGrade 3, Pearl HarborElementary School

“When I learneddivision in mathclass.”

Dezeray AngelOrcuttGrade 3, Pearl HarborElementary School

“When my son,Keith Smith III,was born.”

Staff Sgt. Angelic Smith5th Eng. Det.(Geospatial PlanningCell), 130th Eng. Bde.,8th TSC

Year in Review

“What is your favorite 2013 memory?”Photos by 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs.

NEWS & COMMENTARYA-2 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

The HAW is an authorizednewspaper, produced in the in-terest of the U.S. Army commu-nity in Hawaii by the U.S. Army-Garrison Hawaii Public AffairsOffice. Contents of the HAW arenot necessarily the official viewsof, or endorsed by, the U.S. Gov-ernment or the Department ofthe Army.

The HAW is printed by theHonolulu Star-Advertiser, a pri-vate firm in no way connectedwith the U.S. Govt., under exclu-sive written agreement with U.S.Army, Hawaii.

The HAW is published week-ly using the offset method of re-production and has a printedcirculation of 15,300. Everythingadvertised herein shall be madeavailable for purchase, use orpatronage without regard torace, color, religion, sex, nation-al origin, age, marital status,physical handicap, political affil-iation, or any other non-meritfactor of the purchaser, user orpatron.

The appearance of advertis-ing herein, including inserts andsupplements, does not consti-tute endorsement by the Dept. ofthe Army, or the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, of the firms, prod-ucts or services advertised.

Commander, U.S. Army

Garrison-Hawaii

Col. Daniel W. Whitney

Garrison Command

Sergeant Major

CSM Philip J. Brunwald

Director, Public Affairs

Dennis C. Drake

656-3154

Chief, Internal

Communication

Aiko Rose Brum, 656-3155

aiko.brum@us.army.mil

News Editor

John Reese, 656-3488

news@

hawaiiarmyweekly.com

Pau Hana Editor

Jack Wiers, 656-3157

community@

hawaiiarmyweekly.com

Staff Writer and

Photo Editor

Sarah Pacheco, 656-3150

sarah@

hawaiiarmyweekly.com

Layout

Estrella Dela Cruz-Araiza

Advertising: 529-4700

Classifieds: 521-9111

Address:

Public Affairs Office

314 Sasaoka St., WAAF

Building 300, Room 105

Schofield Barracks, HI

96857-5000

Website:

www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com

Nondelivery or distribution

656-3155 or 656-3488

Contributing Commands

U.S. Army-Pacific

Russell Dodson, 438-2662

25th Infantry Division

MSG Rodney Jackson,

655-6354

2nd Stryker Brigade

Combat Team

SSG Sean Everette, 655-6233

3rd Brigade Combat Team

CPT Evan Scritchfield,

655-1083

25th Combat Aviation

Brigade

CPT Richard Barker

656-6663

8th Theater Sustainment

Command

SFC Mary Ferguson,

438-1000

311th Signal Command

(Theater)

Liana Kim, 438-4095

94th Army Air & Missile

Defense Command

SFC Karry James, 438-2945

9th Mission Support

Command

Brian Melanephy,

438-1600, ext. 3114

18th Medical Command

(Deployment Support)

SSG Nicole Howell,

438-4737

Tripler Army Medical Center

CPT Eren McBride, 433-2809

U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers-Honolulu District

Joe Bonfiglio, 835-4002

500th Military

Intelligence Brigade

SSG David Padilla, 655-1237

599th Transportation

Surface Brigade

Donna Klapakis, 656-6420

USARPAC CG offers safe season’s greetingsThe holiday season is a special time of

year marked by celebration with familyand friends. It is also important to be mindful of

the increased potential for hazards dur-ing this busy time of year. Many of you will travel to the main-

land or abroad to be with family andfriends. As you travel, I ask that eachmember of the USARPAC team take pre-cautions and include safety in all of yourholiday planning and events. Additionally, be alert to the typical

hazards during the holidays, such asweather, vehicle or motorcycle acci-

dents, criminalactivity, alcoholconsumption andsexual assault.The protectionand safety of ourSoldiers, civiliansand family mem-bers is my great-est concern. I also want to

emphasize theimportance of maintaining our vigilanceand situational awareness to guardagainst a multitude of ongoing threats.

Terrorism remains an enduring, per-sistent, worldwide threat throughout thePacific region and our homeland. Itcomes in many forms and can happen atany time. The tragic attacks on ourhomeland over the past year continue tounderscore the importance of our vigi-lance. The most effective means of pro-tecting yourself and your family is indi-vidual vigilance, situational awarenessand reporting suspicious or inappropri-ate activity or behavior. I challenge all leaders, Soldiers, civil-

ians and family members to take an ac-tive approach to protection throughout

this holiday season. Be personally andcollectively prepared. Look out for oneanother; each of you are valued US-ARPAC “One Team” members. Remember, a vigilant effort of detec-

tion and prevention is our greatestweapon in the fight against terrorism,high-risk behavior and accidents. Thank you for your continued con-

tributions to our nation and in support ofthe USARPAC mission. Have a safe andwonderful holiday season. One Team!Vincent BrooksCommander, U.S. Army-Pacific

Time, training, caremake future leaders

MASTER SGT. Q.P. BEAN94th Army Air and Missile

Defense Command

During my 20 years of military ser-vice, I have seen many changes in uni-form and to policy. Some of these changes have been

for the best, and some not so much. I have also witnessed the basic stan-

dards and discipline thatonce shaped the very fabricof our profession steadilydecline. I contemplated the rea-

sons for this decline anddecided to ask leaderswhat they thought con-tributed to this decay in thestandards and disciplinewithin our military. Out ofall the responses I received,I was led to the same conclusion: Aloss of the basic skills we all weretaught at basic training has steadilybeen pushed to the back of our thingsto do list. As I look around our Army these

days, I see young Soldiers not respect-ing their leaders, and their leaders notrespecting them. I set out to find a so-lution to at least fix the problem in the94th Army Air and Missile DefenseCommand. After much deliberation and study-

ing, the answer became clear to me:We must go back to our beginning. The leaders of the communications

section of the 94th AAMDC have com-mitted themselves to bridging the ba-sics in respect to training our futureleaders. Each month, the noncom-missioned officers and Soldiers huddletogether to discuss some of the newregulations that affect our profession.We look at how these changes can im-prove our section as a whole. We alsohelp them develop clear and concisecounseling for their Soldiers. We oweit to our Soldiers. This method may seem simple and

somewhat trite, but this practice is thefirst step in bridging that gap becausewe can’t expect our Soldiers to knowwhat we expect of them unless we tell

them and counsel them on their per-formance. The next step we are taking within

our team is training. I know trainingcan be very tough given the budgetcuts we are facing, but we, as leaders,have to be creative and come up withways to train our Soldiers on the ba-sics. We take them outside and teach

them how to march, ex-tend a physical training for-mation or even set up a ra-dio antenna. This training doesn’t

take money, just our time.Telling Soldiers to go andaccomplish a task that wehave never taken the timeto teach them only createsa cycle of failed leaders. Finally, we must get

back to showing Soldiers we care. Tosome, this telling might sound as ifwe are babying them. However, I be-lieve it shows the total opposite. Froma seasoned senior NCO’s experiencedviewpoint, with many years of firstsergeant assignments, when my Sol-diers figured out how much I genuine-ly cared for them and their families,there was simply nothing they would-n’t do for the mission and me. Within the communications sec-

tion, we always talk about dignity andrespect from the highest to lowestranking. We always allow the juniorSoldiers to have a voice in the deci-sion process in our section, becauseif Soldiers don’t feel they have a say inthe planning, they will not be veryhappy Soldiers. Thus, the missionwill fail and the section will lose inthe end. If all leaders start at the few simple

points I have mentioned, we will see amajor shift in the discipline in theArmy and, in turn, preserve the prideand respect given to us by our nationfrom those who came before us andthose who made the ultimate sacrifice.

(Editor’s note: Bean is the 94thAAMDC communications section senior enlisted leader.)

Faiths preserved at holidaysReligious freedom is aright, a responsibilitya privilege — agree?

CHAPLAIN (CAPT.) CHARLES“CHUCK” WILLIAMS

North Community Chaplain

Numerous and recentevents in the news under-score the reality that ourtreasured religious free-doms are under assault,even in our military communities. It seems that today the

mere “possibility” of some-one being offended at a re-ligious symbol or display isnow sufficient cause to re-scind the Constitutional protectionsof the First Amendment against pro-hibiting the free exercise of faith.

I wonder if people realize that indoing so they are undermining theirown right to a freedom of religious ex-pression, even the “religion” of “secu-lar humanism,” as defined by theSupreme Court of the United States. The first clause of the First Amend-

ment reads, “Congress shall make nolaw respecting an establishment of re-ligion.” The intent of this Amendmentwas to preserve the right of all Ameri-cans to believe in whatever religionthey choose, or even not to believe,without coercion or force. However,having a nativity scene on a military in-stallation does not force or coerce any-one to adhere to the faith that, thatdisplay represents simply because theysee it. A nativity scene is merely a season-

al expression of an essential event for

Christians, a faith that many adhereto in our communities. Additionally, for several years now,

military installations have changedthe name of their tree lighting cere-monies from “Christmas” to “Holi-day,” simply to appease so as not tooffend. Given that Christianity is the

only religion that incorpo-rates a lighted tree in itscelebration this time ofyear, to change that nameis to redefine and dimin-ish the meaning and sig-nificance of that religiouscelebration that the major-ity of people treasure. And if this practice is ap-

propriate, why don’t we dothis to other faiths and theirsymbols?

Recently, our base enjoyed a well-at-tended Menorah Lighting Ceremonyfor those Jewish service members andtheir families to celebrate Hanukkah.No effort was made to rename thatevent the “Holiday” Nine Candle Light-ing Ceremony. Nor would we want tobecause that would show disrespectto the faith of our neighbors in the Jew-ish community. Protecting the right of everyone’s

freedom of religious expression is theright thing to do, and a privilege thatwe chaplains are called to defend. Re-spect and honor needs to be paid tothe integrity of other people’s faiths.Appeasement knows of no such re-spect and honor.Before President George Washing-

ton left office he wrote in his “FarewellAddress” in 1796:

“Whatever may be conceded tothe influence of refined educationon minds of peculiar structure, rea-son and experience both forbid usto expect that national moralitycan prevail in exclusion of religiousprinciple.”

Preserving the integrity of the prin-ciples and message of our respectivefaiths in our community assures us ofthe blessings of goodness, health andprosperity that God would have for usand our families. But to devalue it canonly be done to our own peril.

Brooks

Bean

Williams

“Congress shall makeno law respectingan establishment of religion ... ”

— U.S. ConstitutionFirst Amendment

SOLDIERS DECEMBER 20, 2013 | A-3HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

USARPAC’s importance grows in Pacific theaterU.S. ARMY-PACIFIC

Public Affairs

FORT SHAFTER — The U.S. Army-Pacific’srole in the Asia-Pacific region stepped up consid-erably this year. Members of USARPAC participated in 24 large-

scale exercises with 13 different countries. USARPAC also had 191 engagements with 34

countries in the Asia-Pacific region.The Association of the U.S. Army sponsored

the first Land Power in the Pacific Symposiumand Exposition, April 9-11, in Waikiki. This eventprovided a venue in the Pacific for military, in-dustry and Asia-Pacific allies and partners tomeet. During the symposium, the following units

set-up displays: USARPAC, 25th Infantry Divi-sion, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, 9thMission Support Command, 311th Signal Com-mand, Asia-Pacific Counter-Improvised Explo-sive Device Center, and U.S. Army-Pacific Con-tingency Command Post. The event attracted 33 foreign militaries. Lt.

Gen. Francis Wiercinski, former commander,USARPAC, highlighted the importance of region-al alliances, security and peace at the sympo-sium. USARPAC welcomed Gen. Vincent Brooks as

new commanding general, July 2, and said good-bye to Wiercinski as he retired after 34 years ofservice. The change formally transitioned USARPAC into a four-star command for the firsttime since 1974, symbolizing the importance ofthe Army in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The significance of (July’s) ceremony and themessage of our commitment here is a clear mes-sage. It’s a clear message to the region, and we’rehonored to be a part of it,” Brooks said.USARPAC had some other notable firsts. Two UH-60 Black Hawks from the 3rd Battal-

ion, 25th Aviation Brigade, landed at Fort Shafter,July 19, marking the first time in years since helicopters have landed on historic Palm Circle.

Another first was a nonstop flight from Alaskato Australia during exercise Talisman Saber 2013.Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Leota, senior enlistedleader, USARPAC, and members of the 4th Inf.Bde. Combat Team (Airborne), 25th ID, stationedat Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, flew 15hours straight before jumping into ShoalwaterBay Training Area, Australia, July 20. The nonstopflight and jump demonstrated forced entry capa-

bilities of the U.S. airborne. Once on the ground,paratroopers provided lodgment and freedomof movement during the exercise. The U.S. and China conducted a Practical

Field Exchange (PFE) and Academic Exchange,Nov. 12-14, increasing both countries’ ability towork together during natural disasters.During the China Disaster Management Ex-

change (DME), Soldiers from USARPAC, HawaiiArmy National Guard and Army Corps of Engi-neers, along with representatives from the Fed-eral Emergency Management Agency, partici-pated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ina DME at Marine Corps Training Area-Bellows.The highlight of the DME was the PFE, Nov. 14,where U.S. and PLA soldiers demonstrated theirhumanitarian assistance and disaster relief(HA/DR) techniques.“This particular event, here in Hawaii, and

hosted by U.S. Army-Pacific, included our firstpractical, hands-on field event on a mock-uprubble pile to practice saving lives in a collapsedbuilding. These techniques we learn from eachother’s experiences,” said Brooks.“HA/DR exchange … symbolizes a new phase

of cooperation between the two militaries … andit is of great significance in bolstering our prag-matic cooperation in nontraditional security ar-eas, fostering our common aspirations and capa-bilities to cooperate together,” said Rear Adm. LiJi, Chinese Minister of National Defense ForeignAffairs Office.USARPAC will continue to be the theater army

in the Pacific as it starts a new year.

8th TSC ensures warfighting readiness worldwide8TH THEATER SUSTAINMENT COMMAND

Public Affairs

In 2013, the 8th Theater Sustainment Com-mand family demonstrated a continual commit-ment to its vital role as the senior Army logisticscommand in the Pacific.Its diverse formation of troops answered the

call during exercises, engagements and missionsthroughout the region this year, employing 167different skill sets and 35 unique capabilities,while supporting a full range of operations, toinclude Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Reliefefforts.Through training, equipping and tailoring

forces; planning and generating expeditionarycapabilities; and providing timely and robustsupport of joint and combined elements, the 8thTSC reinforced its dedication to ensuringwarfighting readiness and ongoing peace andstability.8th TSC teams deployed to and continue to

serve in Afghanistan, Australia, Japan, Korea, thePhilippines, Thailand and other Pacific coun-tries. Its troops participated in more than 25major joint and installation training exercises,and welcomed their counterparts from othercountries during military-to-military engage-ments that built lasting learning relationships. The unit’s expeditionary nature shined during

Key Resolve and Ulchi Freedom Guardian, and itsability to provide uniquely tailored capabilities vialand, sea and air was evident through its roles inCobra Gold, Balikatan, Talisman Sabre, Opera-tion Airborne Tomahawk, and Combined JointLogistics over the Shore 2013. 8th TSC Soldiers also strengthened their ties

with the Hawaiian community by volunteeringnearly 3,000 hours to elementary schools, vet-erans organizations and shelters across the islandof Oahu, earning Hawaii-wide communityrecognition this year for their selfless volunteerefforts.

8th Military Police BrigadeThe 8th Military Police Brigade continued its

partner relationships with foreign nations, government agencies and the local communitythrough exercises and community outreach. Watchdog Soldiers supported operations

in Afghanistan, Australia, Columbia, Germany,Guam, Japan, Laos, Philippines, Qatar, SouthKorea, Thailand and Vietnam. The 71st Chemical Compa-

ny, 303rd Explosive OrdnanceDisposal Battalion, main-

tained a “prepare to deploy” status in supportof and response to any humanitarian crisis anddisaster relief efforts throughout the Pacific.The 728th Military Police Battalion provided

more than 200 MPs daily to meet the law en-forcement commitment on U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, while the 303rd EOD Bn. provided EODresponse throughout the Hawaiian Islands andthe U.S. controlled landmasses throughout theUSARPAC area of responsibility.MPs took the lead in crowd security and assis-

tance at large events, such as the annual SchofieldBarrack’s Fourth of July Spectacular with a crowdestimated at 30-40,000 people. Watchdog Soldiers continued to support the

local community, highlighted by the annual “Copon Top” event in which MPs helped raise thou-sands of dollars for Special Olympics-Hawaii,and the 303rd EOD Bn.’s ongoing partnershipwith Sunset Beach Elementary School, Haleiwa.

45th Sustainment BrigadeAfter redeploying from Afghanistan in De-

cember 2012, the 45th Sust. Bde.’s headquartersjumped headfirst into a busy 2013 by providinglogistics support to units across the Pacific.The brigade’s watercraft assets, specifically

Logistical Support Vessel 4, home docked at JointBase Pearl Harbor-Hickam, played a huge role inCombined Joint Logistics over the Shore 2013 inKorea, the largest joint-combined exercise of itsin kind conducted in the Pacific in two decades. The 524th Combat Sust. Support Bn. deployed

to Afghanistan in June to provide logistics supportcentered on supplies, water purification, signal,transportation, finance, shower and laundry.Troops from the brigade headquarters partic-

ipated in Australian Joint Training exercise Tal-isman Sabre with items like food, water and ve-

hicles, and were heav-ily involved in the plan-ning and set up.

The 18th Movement Control Team departedfor the Philippines in November to provide sup-port to Operation Damayan and Super TyphoonHaiyan/Yolanda relief efforts. While there, itworked with Joint Task Force 505 to coordinatethe flow of supplies throughout the country.

130th Engineer BrigadeThe 130th Engineer Brigade’s headquarters

deployed to Afghanistan and formally assumedcommand of the Theater Eng. Bde. in October.Joint Task Force Sapper uncased its colors totake on the mission of advising Afghanistan’sfirst-ever National Engineer Brigade and multi-ple theater engineer missions. As the JTF lead, the 130th is responsible for Na-

tional Guard, active and reserve engineer compo-nents from the Army, Navy and Air Force.Also deployed to Afghanistan this year, the

65th Eng. Bn. assumed responsibility for engi-neering capabilities in Regional Command-South, Southwest and West, a responsibility pre-viously held by three separate engineer battalions.The 84th Eng. Bn. spent the first six months of

2013 deployed to Guam in support of PacificFleet operations in Oceania. For the first time infive decades, the Army assumed responsibility ofnaval requirements in the South Pacific in sup-port of the 30th Naval Construction Regt. Strategically, the 84th provided engineering

capacity to deploy within 48 hours in response toany humanitarian crisis throughout the Pacific. The battalion executed a Civic Action Team

and multiple Construction Civic Activity Detailteams in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, theFederated States of Micronesia, Palau, Philip-pines, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. Sapper companies trained on route clearance

and assured mobility specific to Pacific environ-ments, and the 561st Eng. Co. built and repairedroads at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, SchofieldBarracks and East Range.

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA-BELLOWS— People's Liberation Army soldiers (inbackground) watch USARPAC Soldiers digthrough rubble during the ninth annualDisaster Management Exchange, here, Nov.14. (Photo by Angela Kershner, U.S. Army-Pacific Public Affairs)

The 57th MP Co., 728th MP Bn., 8th MP Bde., 8th TSC,trains with the Coast Guard, Oct. 15-18. (Photo by Sgt.Richard Sherba, 8th Military Police Brigade PublicAffairs, 8th Theater Sustainment Command)

PEARL HARBOR — Soldiers with the 8th Special Troops Battalion, 8th TSC, man therails of the 9th Mission Support Command’s Logistic Support Vessel 7 during aNoncommissioned Officer Induction, here, June 7. (Photo by Sgt. Tiffany Fudge, 8thTheater Sustainment Command Public Affairs)

Gen. Vincent Brooks, commander, USARPAC, admires the view of the Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri andPearl Harbor from the seat of a UH-60 Black Hawk during an aerial reconnaissance of Hawaii Army facilitiesacross the island, July 19. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Crista Mary Mack, U.S. Army-Pacific Public Affairs)

HONOLULU — 1st Lt. Ashley Sorenson (in suit), 303rd EOD Bn., 45th Sust.Bde., 8th TSC, attempts a new world record in a fully functional bomb disposalsuit at the University of Hawaii-Manoa track, here, Sept. 23. (Photo by Sgt. 1stClass Mary Ferguson, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs)

SOLDIERSA-4 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Command Sgt. Maj. TimothyJohnson (front), senior enlisted adviser, 3rd BCT, 25th ID,salutes the brigade commander for the first time as the newbrigade senior enlisted leader during a change of responsi-bility ceremony, Oct. 29. (Photo by Sgt. Erickson, 3rd BrigadeCombat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers of the 3rd BCT, 25th ID, form the shape of the unit'semblem during the final day of the Week of the Bronco, July 3. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Erickson,3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division)

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD —Staff Sgt. Thomas Combs (stand-ing), a CH-47 Chinook crew chiefassigned to Company B, 3-25thAvn. Regt., 25th CAB, 25th ID,shares his Army experiences withHawaiian educators during a visitto learn about the career and edu-cational opportunities for Soldiers,May 6. (Photo by Sgt. DanielSchroeder, 25th Combat AviationBrigade Public Affairs, 25thInfantry Division)

KANEOHE — A CH-47F Chinook heli-copter assigned to Company B, 3-25thAvn. Regt., 25th CAB, 25th ID, dropsthe caving ladder for divers with theNavy SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1,Naval Special Warfare Group 3, forextraction during helocast training atMarine Corps Base Hawaii, KaneoheBay, June 18. (Photo by Capt. RichardBarker, 25th Combat Aviation BrigadePublic Affairs, 25th Infantry Division)

Broncos close outsuccessful year

Story and photo bySGT. BRIAN ERICKSON

3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs25th Infantry Division

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — The 3rdBrigade Combat Team, 25th InfantryDivision, finishes out the year just likeit started it — ready and willing to gowhere the call demands.Soldiers began the year participating

in light infantry training all across Oahu,including locations such as KahukuTraining Area and Marine Corps Train-ing Area-Bellows, Jan. 14-26.Time of relaxation rarely exists in-

side a brigade combat team, so onemust find the time to keep morale upwith the Soldiers. The brigade put to-gether the 3rd BCT Single Soldier Co-hesion Day that gave Soldiers a day tocompete against one another in friend-ly competition.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 35thInf. Regiment “Cacti,” paid respects tothe 36 Soldiers lost in the battalion’sfour combat tours by creating a for-mation in the shape of the battalion’screst on the anniversary of the unit’sfallen platoon leader, 2nd Lt. ClovisRay.The big moment of the year came in

May, when the Broncos would put to-gether Bronco Rumble, a company lev-el, combined arms live-fire exercise,here. For two weeks, Soldiers battledsome of the island’s hottest and raini-est conditions as they trained throughboth day and night iterations. Thetraining was about combining everyaspect of the brigade to accomplishone overall mission.To acknowledge all that Soldiers

had accomplished through the be-ginning of the year, the Broncos put

down rucksacks for “Week of theBronco,” which featured a heavy em-phasis on sports. Some of Hawaii’smost famous battalions squared offagainst each other. To close out Weekof the Bronco competition, more than2,200 Soldiers of the Bronco Brigadestood in the shape of the unit’s emblem to honor the 50-year history

of the brigade.Operation Mangoday, a leader

assessment and development exerciseintended to put captains under duressand deprivation in a physically andmentally difficult environment, wasthe main exercise to take place in the3rd quarter of the year.At the end of October, the Broncos

bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj.David Clark and welcomed in Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Timothy Johnson tolead the “None Better” Brigade.Monday, the brigade dedicated the

Bronco Room of the dining facility toStaff Sgt. Joseph Altmann.Every New Year brings new chal-

lenges, and 2014 will be no different.

CAPT. RICHARD BARKER25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

25th Infantry Division

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD — The25th Combat Aviation Brigade started2013 by returning to its home, here,following a yearlong deployment inAfghanistan. The CAB celebrated its return with

a redeployment ceremony and byuncasing the brigade colors, Jan. 31. The 25th CAB was the last major

Army unit out of Hawaii to deploy toOperation Enduring Freedom and Op-eration Iraqi Freedom, marking thefirst time all of the units were hometogether at the same time since 2001.

While the brigade enjoyed themonth of February for redeploymentblock leave, several notificationspoured in recognizing the effort andhard work of Soldiers. These includedArmy Aviation Association of Americawinners for Crew Chief of the Year,DUSTOFF Medic of the Year, NCO of

the Year, and Outstanding AviationUnit of the Year.During April, the 25th CAB experi-

enced a complete changeover of lead-ership as the brigade and all battalioncommand groups held changes ofcommand. In the last of five changes of

command during the month, Col. Ken-neth Hawley took command of the25th CAB from Col. Frank Tate, April 30th.Hawaii communities welcomed the

25th CAB home during several events,to include the state Senate and Houseof Representatives awarding theHawaii Medal of Honor to eight Sol-diers. The brigade worked with several or-

ganizations in the Hawaiian commu-nity. It invited local Hawaii educators,here, and conducted knowledge shar-ing with Queen’s Medical Center per-sonnel on risk management processes.In early spring, the CAB offered as-

sistance to Soldiers who were relearn-ing how to be good husbands, fathers,wives and mothers through severalcouples classes and marriage retreats.Also, during the spring, individual

and small unit training began as thebrigade started a new training cycle inpreparation for building contingencyreaction forces designed to provide

aviation support for ground troops asthe Army realigned to the Pacific. Soldiers practiced static load training,leadership development courses, rifle

ranges and plenty of flying.Summer was a time when the 25th

CAB’s realignment to operations inthe Pacific really started to show blue

colors. In mid-June, the brigade start-ed what would develop into a strongjoint relationship with the Navy byconducting training with Sailor diverswho practiced being extracted andinserted by CH-47F Chinook andUH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Thistraining continued into July with the25th CAB conducting deck-landingqualifications aboard ships at sea forthe first time in more than 10 years.The end of the summer was an

exciting time for the CAB as it re-ceived its first shipments of UH-60Mmodels to replace the UH-60L BlackHawks, Aug. 27. The new model fea-tures several upgrades that increasethe CAB’s ability to support troopson the ground.Assuming its role with contingen-

cy response forces in the Pacific, thebrigade successfully performed in aseries of validation exercises in thefall to test and perfect the ability of itsaviation support packages to rapid-ly deploy. This training was coupledby several units in the brigade con-ducting ground and aerial gunneryqualifications at Pohakuloa Train-ing Area, Hawaii.The brigade ended its year solidi-

fying its growing joint capabilitieswith the Navy during an exercise with

the guided missile cruiser USS LakeErie (CG-70), including OH-58D KiowaWarrior deck-landing qualificationsand recon training in December.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers of the 3rd BCT, 25th ID, participate in "Bronco Rumble," May 1-14. Bronco Rumble is a com-pany-level combined arms live-fire exercise put on to develop leaders and service members with critical thinking and tacticalskills, while remaining prepared to support the Army's mission in the Pacific.

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 25th CAB, 25th ID, comes in for alanding on the back of the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), a Navy replenishment oiler,during deck-landing qualification, July 15. (Photo by Capt. Richard Barker, 25thCombat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division) (Photo has been altered from itsoriginal form; background elements have been removed.)

25th CAB aviators redeploy, upgrade, partner with Navy

In August, the brigadeupgraded to the model UH-60M Black Hawk, increasing the 25thCAB’s ground supportcapabilities.

SOLDIERS DECEMBER 20, 2013 | A-5HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

SUNGAI PATANI, Malaysia— 1st Lt. Alex Lovo (right),1-21st Inf. Regt., 2nd SBCT,25th ID, and Capt. MohdHafizuddin bin Sulaiman,

4th Royal Ranger Regiment,Malaysian army, cook fishover a fire while sitting in alean-to shelter during the

Jungle Survival demonstra-tion at Lapangan TerbangCamp as part of ExerciseKeris Strike 2013, held in

September. (Photo by StaffSgt. Sean Everette, 2ndStryker Brigade Combat

Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division)

STAFF SGT. MATTHEW RYAN25th Infantry Division

Public Affairs

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — 2013marked a year of successes, renewedtraditions and renewed spirits forthe Pacific theater’s decisive groundforce, the 25th Infantry Division. The year kicked off by welcom-

ing back the 25th Combat AviationBrigade, finalizing all the redeploy-ments of the units assigned to the 25th ID. It marked the first time in almost a

decade that all units were in Hawaii atthe same time. With five of the largest foreign armies

in the world stationed in the Asia-Pacif-ic region, the Tropic Lightning Divisionwas engaged in roughly 10 joint exercis-es, 10 foreign senior leader engage-ments and four subject matter expertexchanges to host nations, providingsecurity and stability through the re-gion by promoting partnerships.The division participated in the inau-

gural Land Power in the Pacific Sympo-sium, providing an insight of the 25thID’s rapid response force capabilitiesto more than 600 attendees repre-senting 17 countries.For the first time in more than a

decade, all division units were on is-

land to celebrate Tropic Lightning Day,which began with a division run onTrimble Road and was filled with sportsand competitions.With the entire division back home,

its calendars were filled with trainingexercises, some of them joint exercises,refocusing on becoming the rapid re-sponse force within the Pacific. Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller, commander,

25th ID, was recognized as the seniormission commander for Army unitsthroughout the island. The Lightning Academy opened this

year, offering a variety of courses to in-clude Pre-Ranger Course, LightningLeaders Course, Combats Level I and II,Air Assault, and Adaptive LeadersCourse to enhance warrior skills andresiliency. The division’s Air Assault Course is

the only one of its kind on the island, of-fering a larger range of military opera-tions and capabilities. With the sched-uled opening of the Jungle OperationsTraining Center in 2014, the academywill be able to offer versatile jungle war-rior training to all branches of serviceand foreign nations. The 2nd Stryker Bde. Combat Team

“Warriors” conducted its first combinedarms live-fire exercise with Strykers inmore than a decade on Oahu.

The 3rd BCT “Bronco Brigade” con-ducted the “Bronco Rumble,” a multi-echelon exercise that involved compa-ny-sized combined arms live-fire exer-cises for every battalion through thebrigade. The 25th CAB conducted deck-land-

ing qualification with the Navy to be-come certified to land on ships con-ducting sea operations. The certificationoffers more assets and abilities for theArmy and Navy by improving the capa-bilities of joint service operations for abroader scope of military missions, likehumanitarian assistance, recon andcombat missions. Even though it was also a year of un-

certainty with sequestration and budgetcuts to the military, many renovationstook place on the installation. A ground-breaking ceremony was held for thecomplete overhaul of Hale Kula Ele-mentary School, to include an expan-sion for the growing number of students attending school on the in-stallation. Also, enlisted single barracksare being renovated to improve thequality of life for Soldiers. Throughout the year, 25th ID was

continuously training and buildingpartnerships to be ready for whatevermission, whenever the nation callsupon Tropic Lightning to strike.

Warrior Brigade reviews progress2ND STRYKER BRIGADE

COMBAT TEAM PUBLIC AFFAIRS25th Infantry Division

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — For the2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team,25th Infantry Division, 2013 was a chal-lenging, yet rewarding, year. The primary focus of the brigade

was strengthening its relationshipswith the local community and its jointand Pacific partners.The brigade conducted the first

company-level combined arms live-fire exercise, here, in more than adecade. All nine infantry companiesand three cavalry troops employed allof the weapon systems within the unit,supported by 155 mm artillery fromthe batteries of 2nd Battalion, 11thField Artillery Regiment.The Joint Venture Education Forum

(JVEF) recognized four 2nd SBCT Sol-diers, Aug. 29, for their work with theSchool Partnership Program. JVEF is acooperative venture between U.S. Pa-cific Command and the Hawaii De-partment of Education to promote in-teraction between military and stateeducators. The School Partnership Pro-gram is a part of this venture and ishow the Army is able to reach out tothe community to give a helping handto area schools.Also in August, the Warrior Brigade

had the distinct honor of hosting anaward ceremony for Robert Cox, a for-mer member of the Gimlet Battalionwho served as a sergeant during theVietnam War. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gab-bard presented Cox with a PurpleHeart and a Bronze Star Medal with

V device. Members of the brigade staff and

representatives from the battalionstraveled to Malaysia in September aspart of 2013 Keris Strike Exercise, anannual theater security cooperationexercise conducted with the Malaysianarmed forces. Soldiers from thebrigade trained at the Malaysian Jun-gle Warfare Wing Training Center,

provided counter-improvised explo-sive device training and medical firstresponder training to Malaysian sol-diers, and experienced the Malaysianculture. Keris Strike’s culminating event was

a command post exercise simulating apeace enforcement operation and hu-manitarian assistance/disaster reliefmission aimed at working with the

Malaysian armed forces to restorepeace and basic services during acatastrophe in the region. The 1-21st Inf. received the coveted

25th ID “Guadalcanal Cup” for excel-lence in athletic competition. Theevent was part of the division’s 72ndbirthday celebration in which all ele-ments of the division competed for thecup, Oct. 1-3.

Another first for the Warrior Brigadein October was Stryker out-load train-ing on an Air Force C-17 GlobemasterIII in preparation for assumption asthe division’s Contingency ResponseForce. The 1-14th Inf. trained at JointBase Pearl Harbor-Hickam, markingthe first tactical out-load and fly awayof Hawaii-based Strykers on the C-17.Despite the government shutdown,

the Warrior Brigade continued to con-duct training. It executed all sched-uled training rotations at PohakuloaTraining Area, Hawaii. PTA offers a unique training envi-

ronment for units, and the WarriorBrigade is fortunate to have built a relationship with the Big Island community. While training at PTA in November,

brigade units had the opportunity towork with Habitat for Humanity in appreciation for the support of Big Is-land communities.Rounding out the year, Soldiers from

2-14th Cav. partnered with Marinesand New Zealand defense forces forSouthern Katipo 2013, Nov. 4-29, amultinational military training exer-cise designed to enhance military-to-military relations between participat-ing forces while supporting the devel-opment of the host nation’s amphibi-ous capabilities. As the brigade prepares for future

contingency missions and deploy-ments, Soldiers remember that evenwith all of the accomplishmentsthey’ve had this year, none would bepossible without the support of theirfamilies.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — A breaching team made up of squad and team leaders from two of the 2nd SBCTs infantry battalionsand its cavalry squadron blow a door off its hinges as part of the Breaching Academy, taught by the 66th Eng. Co., 1-14th Inf. Regt.,2nd SBCT, 25th ID, Aug. 13-23. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Everette, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th InfantryDivision)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — A cadre member demonstrates an Australian rappel andfiring on the move during the activation ceremony of the Lightning Academy, May 1.(Photo by Staff Sgt. William Sallette, U.S. Army-Pacific Public Affairs) (Photo has been alteredfrom its original form; background elements have been removed.)

25th ID’s Tropic Lightning redeploys, renews, readies

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — A sqaud of Soldiers from 2-14th Cav. Regt., 2nd SBCT, 25th ID, advances to itsobjective on the combined arms live-fire lane during the brigade-wide exercise Warrior Spear in February. Thisexercise was the first company-level CALFEX on Oahu in more than a decade. (Photo by Staff Sgt. SeanEverette, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS —The 25th ID commandteam leads the entire divi-sion on a run downTrimble Road to kickoffTropic Lightning Week,Oct. 1. This run was thefirst time in more than adecade the entire divisionwas home to participate inTropic Lightning Week, acelebration of the divi-sion’s activation, Oct. 1,1941. (Photo by Staff Sgt.Matthew Ryan, 25thInfantry Division PublicAffairs)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS— Brig. Gen. PeteJohnson (left), deputycommander-operations,25th ID, meets with Maj.Gen. Kai (right), deputychief of staff of operationsfor the northern army ofthe Japan Ground SelfDefense Force, June 20,before the Yama SakuraExercise, which is held tohelp provide security andprosperity in the Pacific.(Photo by Staff Sgt.Matthew Ryan, 25thInfantry Division PublicAffairs)

STAFF SGT. NICOLE HOWELL18th Medical Command (Deployment Support)

Public Affairs

FORT SHAFTER — In July, the 18th Med-ical Command (Deployment Support) wel-comed Col. Bret Ackermann as the newcommander as it bid farewell to Col. JudithBock, who relinquished control after com-pleting her two-year command. Shortly following this change of com-

mand, the unit welcomed a new senior en-listed leader into its ranks, Sept. 17. Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Alexis King assumed re-sponsibility of MEDCOM from CommandSgt. Maj. Garfield Skyers, concluding histwo-year tenure.As changes continued in late 2013, the

18th MEDCOM (DS) was notified and as-sisted with the deactivation of its subordi-nate unit, the 124th Medical Detachment(Optometry), which had conducted optom-etry care for more than seven differentcountries within the Pacific Rim.Throughout 2013, the 18th MEDCOM

(DS) also conducted numerous missionsin line with the Theater Support Coopera-tion Program (TSCP) and has already begunto plan future engagements next year.

Its role in the TSCP is intended to demon-strate the U.S. commitment to Asia-Pacificallies, as well as strengthen partnershipswithin the region through the education,support and collaboration of medical prac-tices and procedures used worldwide.The command also conducted its annu-

al visit to Radford High School in support ofits sponsorship program and the RadfordHigh Health Services Career Pathway pro-gram. Booths were set up at the school’shealth fair as a way to expose the studentsto an array of medical practices within the

Army’s ranks. During the visit, combat medics, dental

surgeons and optometry specialists talkedto students about the importance of goodhealth.Other key events during the year includ-

ed two large-scale training exercises, one in-ternal medical exercise and support for Op-eration Dayaman. The command conducted 17 re-enlist-

ments and fo-cused on buildingesprit de corps.

CAPT. EREN MCBRIDETripler Army Medical Center Public Affairs

HONOLULU — Tripler Army Medical Centerand the Pacific Regional Medical Command con-tinued to provide world-class health care and stayon the cutting edge of technology in 2013.TAMC kicked off 2013 by bringing new life to

Hawaii, delivering Adelie Thisius, the New Year’sbaby for Oahu.TAMC also celebrated three grand openings.

The first was the opening of its single family roomNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Feb. 14; it is the firstsingle family room NICU in the state of Hawaiiand the Department of Defense.

Second was the opening of TAMC’s firstbariatric room for patients recovering from surgery.The new room was fully outfitted with specially de-signed furniture, equipment, lifts and accessoriesthat made patients more comfortable. It also madeit easier for staff to deliver more personalized care. Third, TAMC opened the doors to its very own

Starbucks earlier this month.Numerous awards and recognitions were hon-

ored in 2013: •In March, the American

Psychological Associationnamed TAMC a top Psycho-

logically Healthy Workplace for 2013. TAMC wasthe first organization within the Department ofDefense to be honored with this national awardsince the program began in 2006. TAMC’s effortsto create a healthy workplace have resulted inlower turnover rates, along with increased clinicalproductivity, financial performance and customersatisfaction.•In April, TAMC received the 2013 Practice

Greenhealth Partner for Change Award — for re-cycling 15 percent of its total waste, reducing prod-ucts containing mercury and regulated medicalwaste, and pollution prevention programs in oth-er areas.TAMC’s simulation center and research pro-

gram, with 195 ongoing research protocols, be-came fully accredited.•In August, TAMC’s cancer program was award-

ed with a three-year accreditation, with commen-dation, for its high-quality cancer care. This accom-plishment was nationally recognized by the JointCommission, the American Cancer Society, Aetna,Centers for Medicare & Medicade Services, theNational Quality Forum and the National CancerInstitute. •September was an extremely busy month. It

started off with the 2nd Pacific Regional BehavioralHealth Summit, resulting in the largest and mostdiverse locally organized collection of behavioralhealth providers and leaders in one location with-in the Pacific Rim. The American Hospital Association designated

TAMC as a “Most Wired” institution in recognitionof its implementation and use of information tech-nology in its health-care delivery.The annual Health Care’s Most Wired Survey,

sponsored by the American Hospital Association’spublication “Hospitals and Health Networks” mag-azine, measures a hospital’s level of adoption of in-formation technology relative to other hospitalsand health systems. TAMC’s award was based ona comprehensive assessment that examined itsoverall IT infrastructure and its use of IT and elec-tronic processes (versus paper) for business andadministrative purposes, clinical quality and safe-ty, and clinical integration.

Joy and Logan Myrick admire the portrait of Logan done by volunteer Richard Bartlett during the Oncology onCanvas event at TAMC, April 19. Art created at the event was on display at various spots around Oahu through-out the spring and summer. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Clark)

SOLDIERSA-6 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

TAMC, PRMC earn 2013accolades for excellence

18th MEDCOM (DS) takeson many medical missions

Dr. (Col.) Sarah Lentz-Kapua (left), assistant chief,Department of Pediatrics, TAMC, and Brig. Gen.Dennis Doyle, commander, PRMC, celebrate thegrand opening of the single family room NICU with atraditional Hawaiian ceremony. (Photo by SorayaRobello, Tripler Army Medical Center)

See TAMC A-10

Col. Bret. Ackermann, newly appointed com-mander for the 18th MEDCOM (DS), address-es attendees during a change of commandceremony, July 3. (Photo by Master Sgt.Rodney Jackson, 18th Medical Command(Deployment Support) Public Affairs)

Col. Bret Ackermann (left), commander, 18th MEDCOM (DS), takes the sword from CommandSgt. Maj. Garfield Skyers as a sign of him relinquishing responsibility of the unit to CommandSgt. Maj. Alexis King, Sept. 17. (Photo courtesy Tripler Army Medical Center)

SOLDIERS DECEMBER 20, 2013 | A-7HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

Dynamic 311th Sig. team givespremier support in this year

LIANA KIM311th Signal Command (Theater)

Public Affairs

FORT SHAFTER — With 2013 camenew challenges, opportunities andfaces for the 311th Signal Command. A change of responsibility ceremo-

ny, Jan. 25, heralded Command Sgt.Maj. Travis L. Cherry as the senior en-listed leader of Signaleers in the Pa-cific.As the designated signal command

for the Pacific theater, the dynamicteams continued to achieve milestonesfor the Army signal community, pro-

vided a wide spectrum of signal sup-port operations, helped strengthen tieswith partner nations throughout theregion and paved the way for newfriendships. “As our nation’s defense focus shifts

to the Pacific, it will be the 311th thatwill provide the example of communi-cations readiness for the rest of theArmy,” said Maj. Gen. LaWarren Pat-terson, commander, Signal Center ofExcellence. LaWarren made his remarks dur-

ing his regimental address for the se-nior communicator’s forum as part ofSignal Regimental Week, the com-mand’s annual weeklong event thatbrought more than 800 Signalers to-gether to share best practices and com-memorate the 153rd birthday of theArmy’s Signal Corps.In support of Operation Enduring

Freedom, Soldiers of Company A,307th Expeditionary Sig. Bn., providedsignal support to three regional com-mands in 19 locations throughoutAfghanistan. During their nine-monthdeployment, December 2012-Septem-ber 2013, they supported network op-erations, satellite communications,signal systems integration, trou-bleshooting and help desk operations,which included solving division-levelend user problems.While staying vigilant to their core

mission of maintaining and defend-ing the Pacific LandWar Net to pro-vide a robust and secure network forwarfighters in the Pacific, Soldiers ofthe 311th also provided signal supportand tactical satellite communication

platforms for U.S. Pacific Command’sTheater Security Cooperation Programjoint military exercises Cobra Gold inThailand; Key Resolve and Ulchi Free-dom Guardian in South Korea; Ba-likatan in the Philippines; and YamaSakura and Keen Edge in Japan. In Hawaii, Soldiers provided signal

support for the fourth iteration of Op-eration Pacific Response, a joint disas-ter training exercise at Bellows AirForce Station.A highlight of organizational trans-

formation and network integration in2013 was the merging of our TheaterNetwork Operations and Security Cen-ters and Regional Computer Emergen-cy Response Teams together to be-come a Regional Cyber Center, a singleunit tasked with the authority to oper-ate, maintain and defend the Army’scyber realm within the Pacific theater. The 311th SC(T) supported the U.S.

Army-Pacific communications team’sInformation Assurance and Cyber Se-curity Awareness week, Oct. 15-18, fol-lowed by a Cyber Security stand down,Oct. 25. Soldiers and civilians at allechelons conducted training to ad-dress identified weaknesses in cybersecurity awareness and to gain a betterunderstanding of current threats to cy-ber security in the Pacific.“In the evolving environment, we

have to work to empower the cybersecurity team, and it is a team effortconsisting of multiple layers of de-fense,” said Maj. Gen. James Walton,USARPAC communications, and com-mander, 311th SC(T), during a cybersecurity panel discussion, the keynote

event of the awareness week. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commander,

USARPAC, also emphasized the im-portance of keeping the network se-cure all the way to the end user’s desktop. “Every day,” Brooks said, “the

enemy is operating in our cyber environment, probing and infiltratingour perimeter.”Several 311th units received awards

for outstanding performance in 2013.The 516th Signal Brigade and units as-signed won multiple Department of

the Army awards on various levels forexcellence in supply, maintenance,communications support facilities, de-ployment and equal opportunity.The command’s proudest achieve-

ments can be attributed to its excel-lent leadership and the outstandingsupport from a diverse team of opera-tors across the Pacific theater. The pro-fessionalism and achievements ofthese leaders was recognized by theFederal Executive Board with severalExcellence in Federal Governmentawards.

94TH ARMY AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE COMMAND

Public Affairs

Over the past year, the 94th ArmyAir and Missile Defense Command“Sea Dragons” demonstrated the crit-ical interoperability of air missile defense assets.In doing so, they forged and

strengthened partnerships with Amer-ica’s allies in the Pacific region as theycontinued to train their Soldiers inpreparation for wartime missions andtraditional garrison operations.

The Dragons also instituted pro-grams to build bonds within the unitthat mentor and foster cohesion andfellowship, and increased rapport withlocal communities by participating inoutreach programs.The 94th AAMDC participated in

more than 15 joint, combined and bi-lateral exercises with other branches ofthe U.S. armed forces, allies and part-ner countries, to include more than 32joint-theater air missile defense com-mand and control, asset managementand system development exercises,

with the 613th Air Operations Centerand the 607th Air and Space Opera-tions Center. By continuously working closely

with its allies and partners in the Pacif-ic, 94th AAMDC helped to build ca-pacity and solidarity of missile defensewithin the Pacific Command’s area ofoperations.Its lead role in the nation’s effort to

rebalance military efforts to the Asia-Pacific increased tremendously in2013. 94th AAMDC stood up TaskForce Talon, the first ever forward de-ployed Terminal High Altitude AreaDefense (THAAD) unit at AndersonAir Force Base, Guam. All eyes werecertainly on the command and firescommunity, making 94th AAMDC acentral figure in local and nationalheadlines. During the summer, the 94th

AAMDC and Soldiers from 25th In-fantry Division, 32nd AAMDC, 307thExpeditionary Signal Battalion and theMissile Defense Agency successfullyconducted Flight Test Operational 01,the second largest, most complex mis-sile defense flight test ever attempted,resulting in the successful engagementof two medium-range ballistic missilestargets over water. This live-fire testproved the Mission Essential Task Listof the A-2 THAAD battery.The command also bid aloha to its

new senior enlisted leader, CommandSgt. Maj. Finis Dodson, Oct. 31. Dod-son has served at all enlisted levels ofair defense and continues to sustain

momentum in the 94th AAMDC. The command established the “Sea

Dragon Sisters In Arms” female men-torship program, a program to con-nect senior and junior females, so theycan reach out to one another due to thelimited number of women in the unit. The program accomplished a host of

events and endeavors, including in-creasing cultural awareness, conduct-ing Rape and Aggression Defensetraining, supporting the “MakingStrides Against Breast Cancer Walk”and hosting quarterly off-duty events.The 94th AAMDC assisted in out-

reach programs by volunteering to par-ticipate in several events at LinapuniElementary.94th AAMDCSoldiers alsomade indi-vidual contri-butions, in-cluding reachingout to Soldiers with post-traumaticstress disorder and saving a coupletrapped after a crash.The command is slated to move its

headquarters from Fort Shafter to JointBase Pearl Harbor-Hickam. It’s cur-rently assigned to U. S. Army-Pacific indirect support of U.S. Pacific Air Force.This move will unify efforts and mis-sion command for integrated air mis-sile defense efforts, providing greateraccess to the same domains and en-gagement opportunities with the 613thAir Force and further enabling its directsupport relationship with PACAF.

The Sea Dragons of the 94th AAMDCstand as the first line of defense againstan ever-increasing ballistic missilethreat.

AFGHANISTAN — A Soldier with Co. A,307th ESB, 311th SC(T), conducts signalsupport operations as part of OEF duringthe company’s nine-month deployment.(Photo courtesy 307th ExpeditionarySignal Battalion, 311th Sig. Command(Theater))

Sea Dragons build rapport with allies, ready for missions

CAMP PENDLETON — Dust rises from the burms behind the 25-meter targets asSoldiers of the 311th SC (T)-Support Unit conduct weapons qualifications, Sep. 14.(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amy Richards, 311th Theater Signal Command-SupportUnit)

A THAAD interceptor is launched duringa successful intercept test conducted byMissile Defense Agency, Ballistic MissileDefense System Operational Test Agency,Joint Functional Component Commandfor Integrated Missile Defense, andUSARPAC. (Photo courtesy MissileDefense Agency) (Photo has been altered from its originalform; background elements have been removed.)

Brig. Gen. Daniel Karbler (right), commander, 94th AAMDC, stands with CommandSgt. Maj. Finis Dodson (left) as Sgt. Maj. Scott Caspari (center), operations, preparesto hand off the ceremonial sword at Dodson’s assumption of responsibility, Oct. 31.(Photo by Master Sgt. Reginald Creech, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command)

FORT SHAFTER — Jon Hosaka (right), mechanical engineer, 565th Eng. Det., FEST-A, shares a laughwith USACE-Honolulu District ohana at a redeployment ceremony at District headquarters in January.(Photo by Joseph Bonfiglio, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Honolulu District Public Affairs)

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERSHonolulu District Public Affairs

HONOLULU — U.S. Army Corps of Engi-neers-Honolulu District staff supported militaryconstruction, transformation and initiativeson Hawaii Army posts that included opening anew barracks; continued construction of astate-of-the-art, energy-efficient barracks atHelemano Military Reservation; the new War-rior in Transition barracks and complex; ongo-ing South Range Projects; Quad D renovationsat Schofield Barracks; the Combat AviationBrigade Phase 1 at Wheeler Army Airfield; andthe Command and Control Facility at FortShafter.In the face of national fiscal uncertainty and

sequestration issues during 2013, the District re-mained committed to sustaining the high qual-ity of service it offers customers, partners andstakeholders. The District ohana demonstrat-ed an unwavering willingness to work as a teamto deliver projects and services, and focused onquality, timeliness and community outreach. Unique partnerships were initiated with mil-

itary wounded warriors and for professionaldevelopment. The District also began a partner-ship with local, state and federal agencies for theWest Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative and provid-ed support for the Waikoloa formerly used de-fense site Sandalwood Project Outreach Ini-tiative.In late January, the Corps welcomed home

the eight-man, District-based 565th Eng. De-

tachment, Forward Eng. Support Team-Ad-vance (FEST-A), with a redeployment ceremo-ny at District headquarters to mark the officialend of its successful eight-month deploymentin Afghanistan. In early February, 72 people eagerly

crammed into a District conference room to at-tend Safety and Health Training for Small Busi-ness Contractors. The free, four-hour trainingwas geared primarily for small business con-tractors in Hawaii. Leaders from the District joined forces with

Navy officials for a maile lei untying and bless-ing ceremony in March to officially open theCorps-renovated Building 22 at Naval Com-puter and Telecommunications Area MasterStation, near Wahiawa. This project involved amajor design-build renovation of historic Build-ing 22 — a building that houses the NavalHealth Clinic Hawaii, Naval Branch AnnexWahiawa for medical and dental services pro-vided for the Navy and DOD. Throughout the year, Honolulu District de-

veloped working relationships with two wound-ed warrior units: the Warrior Transition Battal-ion based at Schofield Barracks and the MarineWounded Warrior Detachment based at Ma-rine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, to helpassist these organizations to transition war-riors and families from injury, illness or dis-ease to duty or veteran status.

See USACE A-10

NEWSA-8 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

599th Trans busy withmultiple Pacific exercises

DONNA KLAPAKIS599th Transportation Brigade Public Affairs

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD — The 599thTransportation Brigade is the Pacific arm ofMilitary Surface Deployment and DistributionCommand (SDDC), which is headquarteredat Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Similarly, the 599th has only its headquarters

in Hawaii, with all of its components scatteredthroughout the Pacific.Battalions are in Busan, Korea; Okinawa,

Japan; and Yokohama, Japan. The brigade alsohas detachments in Singapore, Guam and Alaska.Although much of the unit’s activities load-

ing and unloading cargo as a transportationbrigade are conducted by its battalions anddetachments overseas, the brigade headquar-ters has traditionally been the single port man-ager for all ports in Hawaii, booked all mili-tary cargo leaving the Pacific area of responsi-bility and tracked all military cargo coming toor going through the Pacific. However, during2013, the booking function moved from the599th Trans. Bde. to SDDC headquarters.“We’ve taken on more of a role of interacting

with military units that are shipping cargo.Now we focus more on their requirementsrather than the actual booking function,” saidJohn Fisher, chief, 599th sealift managementsection. “This allows for better coordinationand increased communications.”In June, the 599th was able to finalize long-

term contracts for cargo shipments between theouter Hawaiian Islands and from Oahu on-ward that had previously been handled by one-time-only contracts or liner-term vessels,wherein the carrier provided the stevedores.“Not only did we need a contractor of our

own for our Barbers Point moves, but PearlHarbor indicated they want to use the con-tract for some of their larger moves” said Car-los Tibbetts, terminal operations chief. “If youhave a ship come out under liner terms, youadd a lot of additional expenses and time. Hav-ing our own contracts should save the govern-ment a lot in the long term.”The brigade held its biennial change of com-

mand in July aboard the battleship USS Mis-souri at Pearl Harbor. Col. Shannon Cox as-sumed command of the unit from Col. GustPagonis.In October, the unit underwent its first virtu-

al command inspection with the unit’s higherheadquarters, SDDC, as the examiner. Thebrigade performed exceptionally well.The 599th participated in or supported Pa-

cific military exercises Key Resolve, Foal Eagle,Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Balikatan, CobraGold, Talisman Saber, Forager Fury, and North-ern Edge.“We participate in all of these and other Pa-

cific exercises every year, but planning for themwas more difficult between August 2012 andOctober 2013 because we didn’t have a for-ward planner in Korea. Now that that positionis filled, things run a lot smoother,” said Jim

Honolulu District builds abetter Pacific Region, Army

See 599th A-10

PEARL HARBOR — Dave Bertao, traffic manage-ment specialist, 599th Trans. Bde., performs sin-gle-port-manager duties during the offload ofUSAPAC cargo from the M/V Ocean Giant, Oct.22. (Photo by Donna Klapakis, 599thTransportation Brigade Public Affairs)

NEWS DECEMBER 20, 2013 | A-9HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

Garrison looks back over the yearU.S. ARMY GARRISON-HAWAII

Public Affairs

2013 will be remembered for its furloughs,sequestration and hiring freezes, but other significant events took place at U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii and the Pohakuloa TrainingArea (PTA), Hawaii.Among them, the 38th Chief of Staff of the

Army, Gen. Raymond Odierno, visited Hawaii,Jan. 8-9; Undersecretary of the Army JosephWestphal reviewed developments, Jan. 13-14;Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono toured facili-ties, April 3; Assistant Secretary of the Army for In-stallations, Energy and the Environment, theHonorable Katherine Hammack, toured inSeptember; and Sgt. Maj. of the Army RaymondChandler III wrapped up visits in November witha standing room only crowd at Sgt. Smith Theater.“We are going to have fewer troops and less as-

sets and equipment,” Chandler explained to Sol-diers, stating that budget cuts will take the activeArmy to 490,000 by the end of 2015.In March, a 6,400-foot deep test water well

was drilled at PTA to determine if the high-alti-tude base and surrounding communities couldbe sustained by their own water supply.The garrison’s Directorate of Family and

Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored theannual Fourth of July Spectacular at SchofieldBarracks. This year’s event was limited to DOD IDcardholders — since most Army units were homeafter 10 years of deployment. Still, 30,000-40,000people attended the successful event.Also in July, the garrison became “Nixle” alert

ready for emergency messages. The free serviceis available via text messages or online for allcommunity members.Before July ended, USAG-HI commander,

Col. Daniel Whitney, and the command, wel-comed new deputy garrison commander,Howard Johnston.In August, an Environmental Impact State-

ment Record of Decision was published to con-struct and operate a modern Infantry PlatoonBattle Course at PTA. The Directorate of Human Resource’s Army

Career Alumni Program put the Veterans Op-portunity to Work, or VOW Act, into full swing in2013. VOW greatly supports Soldiers transition-ing into civilian life.A traffic roundabout made its debut just inside

Macomb Gate. Now fully operational, the round-about improves traffic safety and flow. In September, the installation and 25th In-

fantry Division began placing renewed empha-sis on dress code policies and new courtesy pa-trols, which increase safety awareness and en-force Army regulations, policies and standards.Early October, USAG-HI welcomed its new

teammate, USAG-Kwajalein Atoll, Republic ofthe Marshall Islands.Finally, three Facebook town halls allowed

garrison directorates to personally address press-

ing issues on the minds of the community. Aswell, numerous awards and commemorativeceremonies, like Gold Star Families Day, cele-brated installation Soldiers and families.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Representatives from USAG-HI, DOD and Hawaii State Department of Education break ground at Hale Kula Elementary School, July 1,officially marking the beginning of the renovation and expansion plans at the school. Among the supporters are Col. Daniel Whitney (left), commander, USAG-HI;Gary Willis (second from left), Office of Economic Adjustment; Brig. Gen. Pete Johnson (fifth from left), deputy commander-operations, 25th ID; U.S. Sen. MazieHirono (sixth from left); Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (seventh from left); Jan Iwase (fifth from right), Hale Kula Elementary School principal; and KathrynMatayoshi (right), superintendent, HIDOE. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Ryan, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs)

HONOLULU — Family members of the fallen, alongwith the USAG-HI command, attend the honor andremembrance ceremony at the National MemorialCemetery of the Pacific, Sept. 29. (Photo by JackWiers, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Col. Daniel Whitney, commander, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, helps FamilyAdvocacy Committee members and children kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month by signing the CAPMProclamation at the School Age Center, here, March 29. (Photo by Tye Clark, Army Community Service)

Finally, TAMC was surveyed by TJC.Its surveyors praised the holistic ap-proach of the pain management clinicand recognized TAMC for a best practiceof developing and implementing the useof diabetes information cards for specif-ic patients, which had not been seen atother health care facilities inspected.

TAMC’s Patient Centered MedicalHome received Level II certification. •In November, TAMC implemented

the availability and use of the Pay.govwebsite for all its patients. This websitewas developed to meet the FinancialManagement Service Agency’s commit-ment to process collections electroni-cally using Internet technologies. TAMC was the first overseas conti-

nental U.S. military treatment facility toimplement the Pay.gov website, whichprovided patients with a simple and se-cure way to pay for medical services.•Dec. 2, TAMC celebrated its annual

tree lighting ceremony.To end 2013, TAMC hosted several

community groups, civic organizations,local businesses and schools to spreadholiday cheer to patients.

TAMC: No pain is best practice gain at CenterCONTINUED FROM A-6

Maj. Timothy Wagner ( left), chief, and Mark Ahsing, therapy technician, both with Radiation Oncology, TAMC, demonstrate StereotacticBody Radiation Therapy in which they stablize the patient in order to precisely target a turmor with minimal radiation exposure to thesurrounding tissue. (Photo by Sgt. Margaret Jordan, Tripler Army Medical Center Public Affairs)

More than 80 Corps of Eng. general contractors and District en-gineers attended a safety conference in mid-August, sponsored bythe District’s Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks Area Offices inthe Schofield Barracks post conference room. The annual eventwas held to promote job site safety awareness and provide avenue to discuss best safety practices being used on Corps projectsites.In late October, officials from USACE, U.S. Army Garrison-

Hawaii and Absher Construction opened a new $35.3 millionbarracks on Montague Street that will house Soldiers of Headquar-ters and Headquarters Battalion, 25th Infantry Division and the 2ndBrigade Combat Team.District contract actions signify the Corps’ commitment to pro-

vide high-quality facilities to the armed forces and to protect andimprove the lives of the people of Hawaii and the region.Honolulu District is responsible for major military design and

construction, civil works, international and interagency support,real estate services to the Army and Air Force, regulatory work, en-vironmental services and emergency management.

(Editor’s Note: Read the full story online at www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com)

Staege, plans chief.Cox said she considers the last change

the brigade will undergo during 2013 asits most significant structural change:The Alaska Detachment will realign fromthe 599th Trans. Bde. to the 597th Trans.Bde. at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Because the Unified Command Plan

had realigned Alaska from U.S. PacificCommand to U.S. Northern Commandin 2011, SDDC plans to realign the de-tachment to a brigade in the USNORTH-COM area of responsibility to be in linewith combatant commander control.

NEWSA-10 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

PORT OF VALDEZ, Alaska — The Army vessel CW3 Harold C. Clinger (LSV2) prepares todock, Oct. 2, during fall port operations conducted by the Military Surface Deploymentand Distribution Command Alaska Detachment. (Photo courtesy Military SurfaceDeployment and Distribution Command Alaska Detachment)

599th: Alaska unit realigns to Northern Command CONTINUED FROM A-8

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Brig. Gen. Richard Stevens (second fromleft), commander, Pacific Ocean Division, is briefed by SchofieldBarracks Area Office engineer Darren Carpenter (right), about the 25thCAB, 25th ID infrastructure project, June 11. (Photo by Dino BuchananU.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Honolulu District Public Affairs)

CONTINUED FROM A-8

USACE: Safety promoted

FRIDAY, December 20, 2013

The U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Religious Support Officewill offer varied holiday services in North and South Oahulocations.

South CommunityAliamanu Military Reservation ChapelDec. 24, 5 p.m., Christmas Eve Mass (Catholic)Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m., Christmas Candlelight Service (Protestant) Dec. 31, 5 p.m., Vigil Mass for Mary Mother of God (Catholic)Dec. 31, 10 p.m., Watch Night Service (Gospel)

Fort DeRussy Chapel(Near the Hale Koa Hotel, Waikiki)Dec. 24, 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (Protestant)

Tripler Army Medical CenterDec. 24, 5 p.m., Christmas Eve Mass (Catholic)Dec. 25, 11 a.m., Christmas Day Mass (Catholic)

North CommunitySchofield Barracks Main Post Chapel

Dec. 21, 7 p.m., Wiccan Yule Celebration (Pagan)Dec. 24, 5 p.m., Vigil of Christmas Mass (Catholic)

Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m., Christmas Eve Service (Protestant)Dec. 25, 10:30 a.m., Christmas Day Mass (Catholic)Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Watch Night Service (Gospel)

Wheeler Army Airfield ChapelDec. 22, 11 a.m., Christmas Service (Spanish)Dec. 24, 10 p.m., Christmas Vigil Mass (Catholic)Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m., New Year’s Eve Service (Spanish)

Soldiers ChapelDec. 24, 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Service (Protestant)Jan. 1, 2014, 11:45 a.m., Mary Mother of God (Catholic)

Current as of Nov. 22, 2013

Chapel Holiday ServicesChapel Holiday Services

Service members warned about being attractive targetsCAPT. FABIENNE SUTERConsolidated Legal CenterU.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — According to themost recent U.S. Better Business Bureau statis-tics, new car dealer complaints are the secondmost common consumer problem; used cardealer complaints are not far behind as thesixth most common consumer issue. Unfortunately, Soldiers are frequently vic-

tims of dishonest sales associates. “Service members, veterans and their fami-

lies are attractive targets for good and badlenders because they are often young, have asteady income. Many lenders know the UCMJ(Uniform Code of Military Justice) requires youto have good financial practices, and you areeasy to find and target for marketing due toyour geographic location,” said Capt. Sean Ma-honey, chief of Legal Assistance, 25th InfantryDivision and U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii. Below are the most common scams and

how to prevent falling into their traps.Bait and Switch. The bait and switch scam

happens when a Soldier responds to an adver-tisement for a vehicle, price or interest rate thatis not really available. The Soldier then ends upbuying a different, usually much more expen-sive, car. If you see an advertisement, even onpost, for a deal that sounds too good to be true,

it probably is.Yo-Yo. Yo-yo financing occurs when a Sol-

dier understands his sale is “pending financ-ing,” but the dealer does not actually secure fi-nancing or lies about financing, and sells thetrade-in. This practice usually occurs on a Fri-day when a Soldier thinks he bought the car,but then gets a call the following week that his“financing fell through.” The dealer explainsthat this can only be fixed with a higher interestrate.

Prior-Wreck.Another tactic occurs when asales rep does not label a car as a “prior-wreck,” and a Soldier buys a car that was previ-ously “totaled” or “salvaged.” The dealer doesnot disclose the prior-wreck, and the Soldierends up with an unreliable and sometimesdangerous car.

Nondisclosure. Frequently, sales reps donot properly calculate or disclose the correct fi-nance charge, amount financed, payment to-tal, date of payments, and more. The dealer isrequired by law to physically cover the num-bers with you during the transaction.

Possible Solutions.One option, if you feelyou have been duped by a sales rep, is to at-tempt to unwind your contract. First, stop driv-ing the car and keep all paperwork in a safeplace (not in the car). Second, see if the dealerwill take back the car and return your down

payment and trade-in or its value. If the dealeragrees to the unwinding of the contract, youmay need to pay the fair rental price for thetime you used the car.

Do Your Research. Litigation remedies areavailable, but filing a lawsuit can be costly andtime-consuming. The best way to protect your-self is to do your research before you even go tothe dealership. Research the price of the car. Research how

much car insurance you will need to pay. Callthe dealership first to negotiate, even if it offersto pick you up or send a taxi. Once you are atthe dealership, it has the upper hand.

Get Preapproved for a Loan. Find a bankthat will get you a preapproved loan before yougo to the dealership. You will get a better inter-est rate, and you will stick to the amount thatwas preapproved. If you have to finance at thedealership, do not drive away with the car untilthe entire financing process is complete.

Take a Battle Buddy. Bring a noncommis-sioned officer or someone who is “smart” oncars to the dealership. Dealers prey on youngbuyers with little experience and even lesscredit.

Do an Independent Inspection. Have yourown mechanic do an inspection on a used car.To avoid being sold a prior-wreck, also do a carfacts check to get the history of the car.

Read the Entire Contract.Make sure thedealer goes over every single number in thecontract and make sure you understand thecalculations. Ensure the dealer puts all promis-es in writing. “As Soldiers, our battle drills teach us to plan

for, detect and react to threats,” Mahoney said.“Service members and their families need toapproach buying an automobile with the samethoughtful planning, as the auto buying land-scape is filled with lenders looking to make anextra buck off of customers who they knowpossess a steady income. “Knowing the strategies the lenders employ

to deceive you will better prepare you to identi-fy these tactics and then how to react to protectyourself,” Mahoney warns. (Editor’s note: Suter is the judge advocate at

USAG-HI Consolidated Legal Center.)

Holiday Gift Traps

Army Legal HelpIf you think you have been the victim of

one of these deceptive practices or wantmore information before making a similarpurchase, schedule an appointment tomeet with a legal assistance attorney atUSAG-HI Consolidated Legal Center locat-ed at 278 Aleshire Ave., Building 2037,Schofield Barracks. Call 655-0663.

Will you make a common mistake?

SARAH PACHECOStaff Writer

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — So you’vemade your list and checked it twice, try-ing to figure out who gets a sparklynecklace and who gets a big bag of rice.OK, so maybe your idea of holiday

shopping doesn’t involve a trip to thenearest grocery store, but that doesn’tmean you have to rack up the creditcard bills in the hunt for the perfect pre-sent, either.According to the National Retail Fed-

eration, American consumers are ex-

pected to spend $602.1 billion thisholiday season, an increase of about3.9 percent from last year. The retailtrade association adds that the 61days between November-Decemberis the biggest time of year for retailersof all shapes and sizes and can ac-count for as much as 20-40 percent ofretailer’s annual sales.Before you get too wrapped up in

the gift-giving spirit and succumb to allthose tidings of good cheer, read the fol-lowing article and curb your spendingspree.

TodayAloha Friday Barbecue — The

SB Leilehua grill offers a Friday barbe-cue lunch special, beginning at 11a.m., until sold out. Menu items in-clude smoked brisket ribs, pulledpork, barbecue chicken, pork chops,baked beans, cole slaw, potato saladand cornbread.Items cost $8-$10. Call 655-7131.

Online NAF Property SalesDeadline — Purchase items at a dis-count with online anonymous bids athimwr.com/naf-auction. This sale in-cludes different excess items, andauction bidding ends today. All winning bids for an individual

item will be contacted within 48 hoursof the last day of the auction to ar-range payment and pick-up. All items are sold “as is.” No re-

funds or exchanges. Call 438-3503.

21 / SaturdayPaddle Board Class — Outdoor

Recreation is offering a stand-up pad-dleboard class, Level 1, from 8:30a.m.-noon. The detailed instructionalclass demonstrates equipment, andupon the completion of the class, willtake you in the water to test your skillswith a stand-up paddleboard. Equipment and transportation will

be provided. Location will vary de-pending on the surf that day. Limitedopenings; lessons are $59. Get reser-vations at 655-0143.

22 / SundayNFL Sundays — SB Tropics War-

rior Zone offers all the NFL games.Facility opens half-hour before thefirst game starts. Tropics also will feature Monday

and Thursday night NFL games. Pa-trons 18 and older are welcome. Call655-5698.

Kolekole Sunday Football —Doors open 30 minutes before kickoffof first game. Breakfast tailgate buffetcosts $5 until noon; pupu and crowdpleasers start at 11 a.m. Games andprizes are offered throughout themorning. Call 655-4466.Are you SB Kolekole’s hardest

working fan? Punch in every time youwatch football at Kolekole, and get achance to win a 32-inch TV at the Su-per Bowl party. The fan with the mostclocked hours by Jan. 30, 2014, wins.

23 / MondayBowl Special — Schofield Bowl

offers “Monday Dollar Days,” with a$1 game of bowling, shoes, nachosand hot dogs, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Mon-

days, except holidays, through Dec.30. Call 655-0573.

Workweek Lunch — SBKolekole Bar & Grill (655-4466) andFS Mulligan’s Bar & Grill (438-1974)offer daily lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoybuffet-style or menu items.

Mongolian Barbecue — Selectyour favorites from a large variety ofmeats and vegetables, 5 p.m., everyMonday at SB Kolekole Bar & Grill,and grilling will be to your liking. Costis 65 cents per ounce. Call 655-4466.

26 / ThursdayLeilehua Thursdays — Join

Chef Devin Lee, 4:30-7:30 p.m., everyThursday, at Leilehua’s driving range

for hot dogs and burgers. Menu itemscost $3-$4. Call 655-7131.

Winter Golf Sale — LeilehuaGolf Course Pro Shop’s annual wintersale will last until Dec. 31. All itemswill all be 10-50 percent off. Sale doesnot apply to special orders. Call 655-4653.

OngoingSKIES Hula Classes — Hula

classes are offered as follows:•AMR, 8:30 a.m., Saturdays;•Schofield Hula 101, 9:15 a.m., 4

p.m. and 4:45 p.m.; and Intermediate,5:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Call 655-9818or visit www.himwr.com.

SKIES Unlimited Dance Class-es — AMR and Schofield BarracksStudios offer a variety of dance classesto include rhythm in motion, for 2year olds; beginner/intermediatedance combo, for ballet; tap, for 3-5and 6-9 years; hip-hop; and ballroomdancing. Call 655-9818 for details.

Storage Shed Rental — Rent astorage shed from either the FS (438-9402) or SB (655-9368) Auto Skillscenters. Fee is $40 (8x6x5, metal) or$60 (8x6x6, plastic) per month.

Vehicle Safety Check — The SB(655-9368) and FS (438-9402) AutoSkills centers perform Hawaii safetychecks on a first-come, first-servedbasis; no appointments.

COMMUNITYB-2 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

Calendar abbreviations8th TSC: 8th Theater Sustainment

Command25th ID: 25th Infantry DivisionACS: Army Community ServiceAFAP: Army Family Action PlanAFTB: Army Family Team Building AMR: Aliamanu Military Reservation

ASYMCA: Armed Services YMCABCT: Brigade Combat TeamBSB: Brigade Support BattalionCo.: CompanyCYSS: Child, Youth and School ServicesEFMP: Exceptional Family Member Pro-

gramFMWR: Family and Morale, Welfare and

Recreation FRG: Family Readiness GroupFS: Fort ShafterHMR: Helemano Military

ReservationIPC: Island Palm CommunitiesPFC: Physical Fitness CenterSB: Schofield Barracks

SKIES: Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills

TAMC: Tripler Army MedicalCenter

USAG-HI: U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii

USARPAC: U.S. Army-PacificWAAF: Wheeler Army Airfield

Additional religious services,children’s programs, education-al services and contact informa-tion can be found at www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil. (Click on “Religious SupportOffice” under the “Directoratesand Support Staff” menu.)

AMR: Aliamanu ChapelFD: Fort DeRussy ChapelHMR: Helemano ChapelMPC: Main Post Chapel,

Schofield BarracksPH: Aloha Jewish Chapel,

Pearl Harbor SC: Soldiers’ Chapel,

Schofield BarracksTAMC: Tripler Army

Medical Center ChapelWAAF: Wheeler Army Airfield

Chapel

Buddhist Services•First Sunday, 1 p.m. at FD•Fourth Sunday, 1 p.m. at MPCAnnex

Catholic Mass•Thursday, 9 a.m. at AMR •Saturday, 5 p.m. at TAMC,WAAF•Sunday services:- 8:30 a.m. at AMR-10:30 a.m. at MPC Annex-11 a.m. at TAMC

•Monday-Friday, 11:45 a.m. atMPC and 12 p.m.TAMC

Gospel Worship•Sunday, noon. at MPC•Sunday, 12:30 p.m. at AMR

Islamic Prayers and Study•Friday, 1 p.m. at MPC Annex•Friday, 2:30 p.m., TAMC•Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m.;6, 7 and 8 p.m. at MPC Annex

Jewish Shabbat (Sabbath)•Friday, 7:30 p.m. at PH

Pagan (Wicca)•Friday, 7 p.m. at MPC AnnexRoom 232

Protestant Worship•Sunday Services-8:45 a.m. at MPC-9 a.m., at FD, TAMC chapel-10 a.m. at HMR-10:30 a.m. at AMR -10:45 a.m. at WAAF (Spanish language)-11 a.m. at SC (Contemporary)

Liturgical (Lutheran/Anglican)•Sunday, 9 a.m. at WAAF

Call 624-2585 for movie listings or go to aafes.com

under reeltime movie listing.

VIESMSgt. Smith Theater

This Week at the

No shows on Mondays, Tuesdaysor Wednesdays.

CITY LIGHTS

HONOLULU — More than 60,000 people(above) crowd the lawn of Honolulu Hale,here, for the annual Honolulu City Lightsparade and opening-night ceremony,recently. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwellkicked off festivities by illuminating thecity tree and simultaneously turning onthe lights in the downtown corridor.

Honolulu City Lights is a monthlong cele-bration that continues through Jan. 1,2014, during which children can enjoycarnival-type rides, including train ridesthat will operate between 6-10 p.m., night-ly, or visit Santa in the gingerbread housein Honolulu Hale and tell him theirwishes.

There will also be a free photo night withSanta, 7-9 p.m., Dec. 21, compliments ofKraft Foods Group in Hawaii. The Clownsof Aloha also will be on hand to give awayballoons. (Photos by Robert Rock and RonSlausson, City and County of Honoluluphotographers)

Free Birds(PG)

Fri., Dec. 20, 7 p.m.Sun., Dec. 22, 2 p.m.

Jackass Presents:Bad Grandpa

(R) Sat., Dec. 21, 2 p.m.

Thor: The Dark World(PG-13)

Sat., Dec. 21, 6 p.m.

Enders Game(PG-13)

Sun., Dec. 22, 6 p.m.Thurs., Dec. 26, 7 p.m.

Send announcements a week priorto publication to community@

hawaiiarmyweekly.com.

HolidayEventsToday

“Nutcracker” —Military Night is 7 p.m.,Dec. 20, at Saint LouisSchool/ChaminadeMamiya Theatre. Cost is$20 military adults, $15military keiki 12 andunder. The Hawaii State Junior

Ballet Company also per-forms the holiday classic,Dec. 21-22. For tickets, visitwww.hawaiistateballet.com/tickets or call 550-8457.

Honolulu Gift Fair —Morethan 300 booths, 3-9 p.m., Dec. 20;

from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Dec. 21; and from9 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec 22, at the NealBlaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. Call942-3110 or visit www.honolulugiftfair.com.

Santa at Ala Moana — Photoswith Santa, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun-days, through Dec. 24, near Center-stage. Packages start at $22.99.

“Elf” — Diamond Head Theatrepresents the tale of Buddy, who mis-takenly believes he’s an elf, 8 p.m.

Performances are Thursday-Sun-day, through Dec. 28. Purchase tickets by

phone, 733-0274, or online atwww.dia mondheadtheatre.com.

21 / SaturdayEwa Beach HolidayParade — Held from 10a.m.-noon; begins at Ili-ma Intermediate School.

Santa at PearlridgeCenter —Downtown Center Court,Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Varied dailyschedule through Dec. 24. Photospackages from $20.

Honolulu City Lights Trolley

Tours — Tour the HonoluluCity Lights display nightly. Firsttour departs at 6:30 p.m.,through Dec. 30 (exceptDec. 24-25), from WardWarehouse. Cost $6; freeto children 3 and under. Proceeds go to the

Hawaii Foodbank. Visitwww.wardcenters.comfor ticket information.

Salvation Army Live Nativity— Performances every 30 minutes,7-9 p.m., Dec. 21-24, Waioli Gardens,2950 Manoa Rd. See re-enactment of the first

Christmas, with actors, live animalsand Christmas carols. Call 988-2136.

25 / WednesdaySingle Soldiers’ Christmas

Breakfast — Single Soldiers can eata free breakfast, 9-11 a.m., Main PostChapel, Bldg. 790, SB.

Ongoing DeCA Scholarships — Applica-

tions for the 2014 Scholarships forMilitary Children Program are avail-able at commissaries or online atwww.military scholar.org.

Applications must beturned in to a commissary byclose of business Feb. 28,2014. Packages must behand-delivered orshipped via U.S. PostalService or other delivery

methods, not emailed or faxed.

Jewish Services —Weekly worship servicesare now held at 7:30 p.m., Fri-

days, at Aloha Jewish Chapel, JointBase Pearl Harbor-Hickam. No Saturday morning services or

Monday Bible studies are offered atJBPHH. Service members interested in

Jewish Bible study or keiki HebrewSchool (Sunday School) call 348-4560 or visit www.chabaofhawaii.com.

Saturday services are avail-able at the Ala Moana Hotel.Call 735-8161.

PearlridgeFarmers’ Market —Browse more than 40booths featuring Oahuproduce and locally in-

spired artisan foods, 8 a.m.-noon, ev-

See Community Calendar, B-7

Teacher Kristin Veralobos (top, center) and her Hale Kula 1st grade class share a “shaka” moment prior to the awarding of a $10,000 technologydonation to the school. The class demonstrated its computer programming coding abilities to visitors, including Governor Neil Abercrombie.

COMMUNITY DECEMBER 20, 2013 | B-3HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

Hale Kula students teach ‘Coding’Story and photos by

JACK WIERSPau Hana Editor

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — The “Hourof Code” global event initiative that teach-es students the basics of coding/computerprogramming found several leading stateof Hawaii officials, including the governor,at Hale Kula elementary school, Dec. 13.Governor Neil Abercrombie, state and

Army officials gathered, here, for the pre-sentation of a $10,000 check by code.orgfor the purchase of technology equipmentand resources for the school.“You are the pioneers here, and young

people we are very proud of,” Abercrom-bie told the Hale Kula student body at thepresentation.Hale Kula was the only school in

Hawaii selected to receive the $10,000funding grant for the school’s participa-tion in the program.

Hands-on teachingBefore and after the presentation, state

and Army officials and other visitors re-ceived firsthand computer programminginstruction — from the students.Kristin Villalobos’s first grade class

came to the presentation armed withiPads and a “watch-me,” can-do attitudeas they demonstrated coding to visitorswho entered the school for the event.“It’s easy,” said 6-year-old Victoria Bur-

ton, who was instructed to show one visi-tor how to enter a line of code on herschool-provided iPad.Sure enough, it took only minutes for

Burton’s instruction to bare coding fruit.Following the formal presentation, the

governor and other officials also receivedcoding instruction.

Hale Kula part of the big picture“The Hour of Code” was a global event

held during Computer Science EducationWeek, Dec. 9-15. More than 3.2 millionstudents in 161 countries signed up toparticipate, including all of Hale Kula’steachers and students.“(Hale Kula) is on the front line in the

teaching of coding,” said KathrynMatayoshi, superintendent, Hawaii StateDepartment of Education. She noted only 10 percent of schools

nationwide teach computer program-ming/coding.

Computer programming jobs, said thegovernor, during his remarks, are growing“three times faster than the rate that stu-dents are entering the field.” Hale Kula Principal Jan Iwase stressed

that her school has a commitment to em-bracing 21st century skills into the schoolscurriculum. Coding is one element of thestrategy, she said.“We want to be sure that our students

receive the knowledge, skills and strate-gies to help them succeed in this techno-logical world,” said Iwase.

Hour of CodeLearn more about the donation and

the Hour of Code at code.org.

25th ID spouseearns top three‘Star’ finish

Story and photo byROBERT DOZIER

Family and Morale, Welfare and RecreationInstallation Management Command

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO — A Schofield Barracksspouse was a top three finisher in the Army Entertain-ment’s 2013 Rising Star competition held this pastweekend, here. Joyce Ann Severino was selected to participate in

the San Antonio finals by a panel of Army InstallationManagement judges, after her competition win at U.S.Army Garrison-Hawaii’s Rising Star event in October.The mother of a 2-year-old daughter is also the wife

of Sgt. Jesus Severino, Company F, 2-27th Infantry Reg-iment, “Wolfhounds,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25thInfantry Division.“I am so happy and excited, and I appreciate the

votes I received from everyone,” said Severino, abouther finish. “The advice we received from the judgesabout proper breathing, how to perform and connectwith the audience was priceless.”Sgt. Christiana Ball from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.,

was voted Army Entertainment’s 2013 Rising Star inthe competition that ended Sunday.Ball was chosen from a field of 12 vocalists from

Army garrisons around the world. She edged out fam-ily members Severino, along with Sarah Hopkins fromJoint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., in the final round ofcompetition.

See ‘Star,’ B-6

Joyce Severino (right), a military spouse from SchofieldBarracks, stands with Sarah Hopkins (left) and Sgt.Christiana Ball as the three are introduced as the finalists inthe 2013 Operation Rising Star production, Saturday.

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie (left) applauds the awarding of a check for $10,000 to HaleKula Elementary School representatives, Dec. 13. The school received the award by Code.org forintroducing computer programming to students.

COMMUNITYB-4 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

ALIAMANU MILITARY RESERVATION — Maj. Michael Post, Support Operations, 8th TheaterSustainment Command, and wife Kari stand on the porch of their new home in the new Hibiscus neigh-borhood, here, in November. More than 4,000 new homes have been added to USAG-HI during the past10 years. The opening of new homes in Aliamanu, Helemano and Schofield Barracks highlighted 2013.(Photo courtesy Island Palm Communities)

HONOLULU — Jeff Saturday, Green Bay Packers center No. 63, calls out the coin tossfor the Nationals before the start of the 2013 Pro Bowl, held at Aloha Stadium, here, Jan.27. NFL stars made appearances at Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter during theNFL’s All Star week prior to the game. (Photo by Staff Sgt. John Johnson, 94th Army Airand Missile Defense Command Public Affairs)

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII — Hundreds of six-person teams, comprised of civilians and military from across Oahu, competein the 19th annual Swamp Romp, here, Feb. 16. The "romp" took competitors through a grueling five-mile course of mud, obsta-cles and exhilaration. The 8th Theater Sustainment Command’s senior noncommissioned officers team won the men’s mastersdivision competition. (Sgt. Marcus Fichtl, 8th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs, 8th Theater Sustainment Command)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Country music sensation Toby Keith performs for acrowd of 12,000 Army Hawaii Soldiers and family members during a USO concert,here, May 4. (Photo by Allan Criss, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare andRecreation)

Garrison, USAG-HI community building for future JACK WIERSPau Hana Editor

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD — U.S. ArmyGarrison-Hawaii community members wit-nessed a year of building in 2013 as the garri-son stood poised for continued growth.

A building yearGarrison welcomed the dedication of new

barracks, the building of new family homesand breaking ground for an extensive newbuilding and renovation of Hale Kula Elemen-tary School.The $33,200,000 project for Schofield Bar-

racks’ Hale Kula, announced in March, is fund-ed primarily through federal grants and is nowunderway. When completed in 2015, the newcomplex will include a new two-story, 10-class-room building, a Library/Student ServicesBuilding, an Administration Building and acovered play court. The facility serves approximately 900 chil-

dren of military personnel. The new $35.3 million Unaccompanied En-

listed Personnel Housing on Montague Street,dedicated Oct. 30, now houses Soldiers withthe 25th Infantry Division’s Headquarters andHeadquarters Battalion and with 2nd Stryker

Brigade Combat Team.Moving trucks began rolling into Helemano

Military Reservation, beginning in February,and delivered household goods to 146 newhomes in 2013. Schofield Barracks’ Kalakauacommunity began opening 296 new housingunits in August, and Aliamanu Military Reser-vation’s Valley View community witnessed thecompletion of two phases of homebuildingcompletion in February and November. TheHibiscus neighborhood also welcomed anoth-er 137 new homes during the year.The Directorate of Family and Morale, Wel-

fare and Recreation reopened the SchofieldBarracks Stoneman Field athletic complex inthe fall following two years of building and ren-ovation.

A year to be entertainedThrough the efforts of FMWR, the NFL and

the USO, it was a big year with big-name enter-tainment for USAG-HI.The National Football League’s annual Pro

Bowl event provided the backdrop for game

week garrison appearances and activities inJanuary that brought Soldiers, family membersand NFL stars together. One example was theappearance by football superstars Drew Brees,Eli Manning and Larry Fitzgerald at WheelerElementary School as part of the “Play 60” NFLinitiative.Concerts included movie and television

star Gary Sinese and his Lt. Dan Band, coun-try superstar Toby Keith (May 4) and Fourthof July Spectacular entertainment by OneRe-public.

A year of remembrancesThe Army’s history in Hawaii continued to

be highlighted through a year of remem-brances. During one, Gold Star mothers andfamilies were recognized during a Lei of Honorand Remembrance Ceremony at the NationalMemorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Sept. 29.The event, hosted by Survivor Outreach Ser-vices (part of Army Community Service,DFMWR), captured the attention of the statefor its solemn recognition of family sacrifice.

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Army units and garrison organizations continue to play a role in community environmental issues in2013. Maj. Matthew Scher, operations officer, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25thInfantry Division, packs soil around a tree he planted with a community member at the West Hawaii Veteran’s Cemetery, here,Sept. 21. Soldiers and more than 120 community members and students from the University of Hawaii at West Hawaii planted500 trees as part of the volunteer tree-planting effort, aimed at restoring dry-land forests on the island. (Photo by Capt.Catherine McNair, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division)

WASHINGTON — Five Leilehua High School Army JROTC students pose for a photo after defeating morethan 800 teams to win the top U.S. Army Service Award at CyberPatriot V, March 14-15, here. From left toright are Team Mentor retired Senior Master Sgt. Mike Herr, Cadet/Team Capt. Sharon Thepsenavong,cadets Michael Grajales, David Williams, Seth Allen, Kawika Lavarias, and Leilehua Senior ArmyInstructor/Team Coach retired Lt. Col. Nick Spiridigliozzi. (Photo by Charles Fazio)

COMMUNITY DECEMBER 20, 2013 | B-5HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

HONOLULU — Tia Briggs (kneeling), wife of fallen Air Force Staff Sgt.Raymond Briggs, presents her husband's boots as son Kai looks on duringthe Lei of Honor and Remembrance Ceremony at the National MemorialCemetery of the Pacific, here, Sept. 29, for Gold Star mothers and families.(Photo by Jack Wiers, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Hale Kula Elementary School students share their electronic portfolios with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (right) andHawaii State Rep. K. Mark Takai during a visit to the school, here, April 3. The visit dovetailed with an announcement of a major $33.6 mil-lion new building and renovation of the school that is comprised of 99 percent military family members. (Photo by Principal Jan Iwase)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Fireworks illuminate Schofield Barracks during the finale of the 2013 Fourth of JulySpectacular, here. A crowd of more than 30,000 attended the daylong festival that featured the rock bandOneRepublic. (Photo by Kayla Overton, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs)

AIEA — Gen. Vincent Brooks (right), commander, U.S. Army-Pacific, shakes the hand ofCapt. Edward “Flip” Klein, one of the wounded warriors honored during the annual militaryappreciation night held at Aloha Stadium, here, Nov. 30, as the University of HawaiiRainbow Warriors football program hosted the Army Black Knights in a football match-up.(Photo by Sgt. Daniel Schroeder, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs, 25th InfantryDivision)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — JoyceSeverino, a 25th ID spouse,receives a congratulatory hug forwinning U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii’s Operation Rising Starcompetition, Oct. 24, from run-ner-up Sgt. 1st Class DeightonLittle. Third-place finsher Spc.Eulogio Montes (left) looks on.Severino went on to place in thetop three at the InstallationManagement Command’s finalsin December. (Photo by JackWiers, Pau Hana Editor)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — The March announcement of new and reno-vated Hale Kula elementary school buildings and facilities, along withconstruction grants of more than $33.6 million, gives an educational facil-ity boost to the Schofield Barracks community. (Courtesy HawaiiDepartment of Education)

WASHINGTON — The 9th Mission Support Command’s Army Ten-Miler women’s team wins first place for the ArmyReserve women’s category at this year’s 29th annual race, held here, Oct. 20, when approximately 35,000 runners showedup to run the 10-mile trek through the streets of our nation's Capitol. (Photo by Capt. Liana Kim, 9th Mission SupportCommand Public Affairs)

ABOVE MOKULEIA, Hawaii — In August, “Hawaii Army Weekly” readers learn more about the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii’s BetterOpportunity for Single Soldiers program. BOSS is designed to help Soldiers to get out of the barracks and into the community and spreadtheir wings. (Photo courtesy Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS— Drew Brown, a gui-tarist for the bandOneRepublic, tests out agun at the engagementskills trainer during avisit to Soldiers and fam-ily members of the 73rdSignal Company, 45thSustainment Brigade,8th Theater Sust.Command, here, July 3.(Photo by Spc. DavidInnes, 8th TheaterSustainment CommandPublic Affairs)

Operation Rising Star gives performers aunique opportunity to entertain their comradesaround the world and fulfill their own personalmusical ambitions. The 12 finalists competedagainst each other in three elimination rounds,first narrowing the field to six finalists. Each roundof competition was recorded and was made avail-able online for viewing.

The competitors were mentored and judged byprofessionals in the industry. Returning this yearto Operation Rising Star were vocalist and vocal

coach Debra Byrd (from television’s “The Voice”),vocalist and recording country artist Michael Pe-terson and 12th Sgt. Maj. of the Army (retired)

Jack Tilley. The judge’s scores were combined with online

votes from fans from around the world to deter-mine who moved ahead in the competition.

“I feel honored and humbled,” said Ball. “Rightnow, my husband and I are going to celebrate alittle, but soon it will be time to get back to thedrill. My team back home needs me.”

Many Soldiers in the competition are hoping

their performance at Operation Rising Star willhelp them secure a position in the 2014 SoldierShow, also sponsored by Army Entertainment.

Thirty garrisons participated in preliminaryrounds leading to the top 12 live competition.The 18 not represented in the finals have beencontacted to encourage their active duty, Guardand Reserve performers to submit audition pack-ages for the Soldier Show.

Watch OnlineAll performances have been recorded

and are available online at www.OpRisingStar.com. More information about thecontest, the contestants and how to viewthe finals can be found at www.armyentertainment.net.

‘Star’: Operation Rising Star places local spouse on the Army’s world stageCONTINUED FROM B-3

COMMUNITYB-6 | DECEMBER 20, 2013 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

HOLIDAY MARCH

WAIANAE — Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker BrigadeCombat Team, 25th Inf. Divison, and the 25th ID band, lead marchers and floats downFarrington Highway for the Waianae Community Holiday Parade, here, Saturday.

"It's really cool to come out and lead these guys," said Sgt. Michael Oud, senior sniper,Company C, 1-21st Inf. Regt., who directed the color guard.

ery Saturday at the PearlridgeCenter Downtown. Visitwww.haleiwa farmersmarket.com/pearl ridge.html.

Legal Aid — The SB andFS Legal Assistance officesprovide free legal assistanceto active duty personnel,family members, retirees andcertain Department of De-fense personnel. The offices provide assis-

tance on issues including es-

tate planning services (in-cluding wills and advancemedical directives), con-sumer affairs, guardianship,divorce, taxes, landlord-ten-ant law, military administra-tive matters and insuranceclaims. Notary service andpowers of attorney servicesavailable. Visit SB Bldg. 2037(655-8607), or FS Bldg. 330,Rm. 110C (438-2627).

Naval Air Museum —This nonprofit museum, lo-cated in Bldg. 1792, MidwayRd., Kalaeloa Airport.Kapolei, focuses on the histo-ry of aviation in Hawaii. Costis $7 adults and $5 for keikiunder 18. Visit www.nambp.org or call 682-3982.

COMMUNITY DECEMBER 20, 2013 | B-7HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY

Guilt can tripthe ‘merry’ outof Christmas I’m being haunted. Not by swaddle-jawed, clanking Jacob Marley or the dark

and towering Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. No, the spirit that appears almost daily in my drafty old

base house at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, is notyour conventional, run of the mill apparition. It is a specterof a different sort, but terrifying nonetheless.During the time of year when sugar plums should be

dancing in my head, my thoughts are being tormented bynone other than, yep, you guessed it, Marie Osmond. As far as I know, she is alive and well and living some-

where former 70’s teen idols and QVC doll designers live,like Santa Barbara or Salt Lake City. But despite her currentstatus as a live human being, her image still haunts my vi-sions.Why, just the other day, I was reaching for two sticks of

butter that I was about to add to a mixing bowl of sugar for adouble batch of Christmas cookies, when suddenly, I hearher, speaking directly to me through the television in ourkitchen like some kind of Dickensian holiday poltergeist.“I’m Marie Osmond, and I lost 50 pounds on Nutra-Sys-

tem.”No sooner did the words leave her television spokesper-

son’s, plumped up, lipsticked mouth, than I felt it: pure,unadulterated GUILT. How was I supposed to bake cookiesin that condition?Thanks, Marie. Like some kind of yuletide plastic surgeon,

you just sucked the merry right out of Christmas. I mean, I’m happy for her and all that, but whose idea was

it to run diet commercials during the holidays anyway? Isn’tthere some local ordinance, federal law or Supreme Courtdecision dictating that all diet and weight loss advertise-ments must start after the New Year?After we’ve baked our cookies, thickened our gravies and

slurped our nog? After we’ve eaten too much fudge, wailedon a bowl of mixed nuts and downed too much Irish Cream?After we’ve blown off the gym, lazed around in our new PJswatching Seinfeld reruns and sucked on half a dozen candycanes?I get it. It’s not a great idea to go on a monthlong holiday

hog-wild binge, or we might find ourselves 20 pounds heav-ier when January rolls around. But can’t we just enjoy thetraditional seasonal delights without feelings of guilt, defeatand self-loathing?Apparently, just like Halloween candy displays in August

and stores opening for Christmas shopping on Thanksgiv-ing, the post-New Year’s diet season has now infiltratedChristmas. I fully intend to fight off the dilution of our holiday tradi-

tions by corporations wishing to brainwash us into buyingtheir products earlier and earlier every year. I won’t buy Hal-loween candy until October, I won’t Christmas shop onThanksgiving, and I will bake as many Christmas cookies as Iplease. Lord knows, this time next month, I’ll be gnawing on cel-

ery sticks and coughing up a lung at the base gym, so I’d bet-ter enjoy myself while I can. However, try as I might to stopit, I know consumerism will creep into our houses and ourlives, haunting us to change our merry ways. So, while we are packing our bags this holiday season to

go over the river and through the woods to grandmother’shouse, we’d better throw in a few extra pairs of undies, be-cause we’re going on a guilt trip too.

(A 20-year military spouse and mother of three, Molinarihas plenty of humor to share in her column, “The Meat andPotatoes of Life,” which appears in military and civiliannewspapers and at www.themeatandpotatoesoflife.com.)

THEMEAT & POTATOES OF LIFE

LISA SMITH MOLINARIContributing Writer

CONTINUED FROM B-2