April 8, 2016
Ho‘okele A-2
JBPHH chief’s club renamed Harold B. Estes Leadership Center Blair Martin Gradel
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs The original chief petty officer’s (CPO) club, formerly known as “Oceans,” was renamed the “Harold B. Estes Leadership Center” in a special ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), April 1. The center is named after beloved Navy Chief Harold B. Estes, credited as one of the driving forces with helping bring top visitor attractions, such as the USS Missouri and USS Bowfin museums to Oahu. The ceremony included a Hawaiian blessing and the unveiling of a new sign crafted by wood from the decks of USS Mis-
souri. In addition, a few of Estes’ friends from the Honolulu Navy League and former Navy shipmates provided remarks, including seventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Duane Bushey, who served as one of the guest speakers. “I think one of the truths of the Navy is once a chief, always a chief,” s a i d B u s h e y. “ C h i e f s never retire—they just graduate. They may take the uniform off and put civilian clothes on but as chiefs, they continue to still get things done.” Although he had never met Estes personally, Bushey maintained that he had great respect for the legacy that his fellow Navy chief left in Hawaii. “What a wonderful example for the rest of us
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Katarzyna Kobiljak
Chief Culinary Specialist Joshua Glover and Alexander “Sandy” Gaston unveil a sign during the renaming ceremony for the Chief Harold B. Estes Leadership Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, April 1. to follow,” he said. “Like most chiefs, he did not know the phrase ‘it can’t be done.’ What Harold
The intent of the new did, with the [USS Bowfin and USS Missouri memo- c e n t e r i s t o s e r v e a s rials]…he got the impos- a place to further desible done.” velop junior Sailors by
Hickam Airmen volunteer in base cleanup Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden
teaching naval heritage, leadership skills and reinforcing Estes’ legacy of patriotism. Estes, who died in 2011, was a World War II veteran who retired from the Navy in 1954 with more than 20 years of service and was a lifetime member of the Honolulu Navy League. The new center will feature special additions from Estes’ personal belongings, including his former Navy chief uniform and a display of personal belongings while aboard USS California (BB-44) during WWII. The Harold B. Estes Leadership Center, located at building 1509 at JBPHH is open to all Navy chiefs or equivalent (E-7) island-wide.
Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam seeks volunteers for beach cleanup
15th Wing Public Affairs Airmen from the 15th Wing and 647th Air Base Group gathered for a little spring cleaning, March 25. More than 200 Airmen volunteered to take part in the massive Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam cleanup. “We live and work here every day so my goal was to make our home look better,” said Col. Randy Huiss, 15th Wing commander. Because a cleanup effort of this magnitude has not occurred in the past seven years, Senior Master Sgt. Lucas Buchholz, 647th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said the day was largely intended to clean those areas of the base that are not covered by the installation cleaning contract. “It’s about developing
15th Wing Airmen pick up tree branches while participating in the base-wide cleanup at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, March 25. pride and ownership,” he said. Chief Master Sgt. Brent Sheehan, 647th Air Base Group superintendent, said he was impressed by the hundreds of Airmen who volunteered for the event. “It was inspiring to see Team Hickam Airmen
come out and take pride in their installation,” he said. “I saw hundreds of Airmen out cleaning and taking care of their home.” Huiss agreed, thanking the volunteers for their participation. “I understand that things like this take us
away from our real jobs and the mission but it was necessary, and the attitudes I saw today were fantastic. It was nice to see,” he said. Huiss also thanked the chief ’s group and Hickam Officers’ Spouses Club for their participation.
The Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam community and other military volunteers can participate in the Fort Kamehameha Beach and Ahua Reef Reserve cleanup on Saturday, April 16 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Volunteers, including family members ages 12 and above, can help clean up the area where mangrove has recently been cleared. Volunteers should
meet at the Fort Kamehameha parking lot by 7:30 a.m. Dress to get dirty, wear covered shoes and bring sunscreen. To volunteer, contact M A C Wi l l i a m M a t teson, william.n.matt e s o n @ n a v y. m i l o r (209) 216-7190. For more information, call Kathy Isobe, Navy Region Hawaii Environmental PAO at 4730662 or e-mail Kathy. isobe@navy.mil.