Ho'okele - October 7, 2019 (Pearl Harbor-Hickam Magazine)

OCTOBER 7, 2019

Energy Conservation

Pg. 8

Oklahoma Sailor Identified

Fishpond cleanup

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

The guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the ship’s commissioning while transiting the South China Sea. Named after Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer, the Father of Aegis, (FOA), the crew stands in formation in his namesake. Wayne E. Meyer is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies, and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Class Rawad Madanat)

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, NAVY REGION HAWAII

AGNES TAUYAN

Ho‘okele is a free publication.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, NAVY REGION HAWAII

All editorial content is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the staff of the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs Office: 850 Ticonderoga, Suite 110, JBPHH, Hawaii, 96860-4884. Telephone: (808) 473-2888; fax (808) 473-2876; e-mail address: newspaperjbphh@gmail.com World Wide Web address: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Hawaii/.

LYDIA ROBERTSON

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM

CHUCK ANTHONY

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PACIFIC MISSLE RANGE FACILITY

TOM CLEMENTS EDITOR

ANNA MARIE GENERAL ASSIGNMENT EDITOR/MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICER

MCCS JACKEY SMITH LAYOUT ARTISTS:

MC2 CHARLES OKI GSE3 LEXIE PEREZ ELAINE PHILLIPS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: JIM NEUMAN

HELEN ZUKERAN ERIN HUGGINS SSGT. JASMONET JACKSON DAVID UNDERWOOD

This is an authorized publication primarily for members of the uniformed military services and their families in Hawaii. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, and the military branch of services and do not imply endorsement thereof.

A Hui Hou!

CONTENTS

Your Navy Team in Hawaii Commander, Navy Region Hawaii oversees two installations: Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam on Oahu and Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, on Kauai.

As Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific we provide oversight for the ten surface ships homeported at JBPHH. Navy aircraft squadrons are also co-located at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe, Oahu, and training is sometimes also conducted on other islands, but most Navy assets are located at JBPHH and PMRF. These two installations serve fleet, fighter and family under the direction of Commander, Navy Installations Command.

A guided-missile cruiser and destroyers of Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific deploy independently or as part of a group for Commander, U.S. Third Fleet and in the Seventh Fleet and Fifth Fleet areas of responsibility. The Navy, including your Navy team in Hawaii, builds partnerships and strengthens interoperability in the Pacific.

Each year, Navy ships, submarines and aircraft from Hawaii participate in various training exercises with allies and friends in the Pacific and Indian Oceans to strengthen interoperability. Navy service members and civilians conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions in the South Pacific and in Asia. Working with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Navy in Hawaii provides drug interdiction and fisheries enforcement operations for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In even-numbered years Hawaii hosts the biennial summer Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world’s largest military maritime exercise, featuring more than two dozen nations and 25,000 personnel.

The Navy family in Hawaii comprises around 50,000 people, most of whom are active duty service members and their families, and includes nearly 15,000 civilians and contractors as part of our workforce.

JBPHH includes the Pearl Harbor waterfront, Hickam flight line, Wahiawa annex and several other areas in West Oahu and provides a major logistics and other support hub for the military and military families.

Supporting the nation’s ballistic missile defense initiative, the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the western coast of “The Garden Island,” is the world’s largest instrumented multidimensional testing and training missile range.

We provide services to the U.S. Pacific Command, one of DOD’s six geographic combatant commands, with an area of responsibility covering half the globe.

We directly support two component commands whose headquarters are on JBPHH: Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, U.S. Pacific Air Force. Close to our own Region/MIDPAC headquarters command is Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. With 18 forward-deployable combat-ready U.S. Navy submarines, Pearl Harbor is home to the largest submarine presence in the Pacific. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, on JBPHH, is the largest ship repair facility between the West Coast and the Far East.

Within our region we support more than 100 tenant commands.

4-7

Energy Action Month

8-9

Navy to celebrate 244th birthday

COMMANDER, NAVY REGION HAWAII AND NAVAL SURFACE GROUP MIDDLE PACIFIC REAR ADM. ROBERT CHADWICK

10-11

USS oklahoma sailor ‘unknown’ identified

12

Military, community volunteer in cleanup

13

PACAF Airmen celebrate heritage

COMMANDER, JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM 14-15

Pearl harbor survivor laid to rest

16

Chiefs participate in fmf challenge

20

CAPT. JEFF BERNARD

naval health clinic hawaii transitions to dha

PLUS: 5

DIVERSE

5

hurricane preparedness

20 21

VIEWS

celebrating oktoberfest Community Calendar

COMMANDING OFFICER PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY CAPT. TIMOTHY YOUNG Ho’okele / October 7, 2019 /

3

Solar panels form part of the Renewable Hydrogen Fueling and Production Station on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam July 19, 2012. (U.S. Navy file photo by MC2 Daniel Barker)

Going Green OCTOBER IS ENERGY ACTION MONTH What is Energy Action Month?

Upcoming event: On Oct. 29, Navy Region Hawaii will host an Energy Fair/Building Energy Monitor Trainining from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ford Island Conference Center.

E

nergy Action Month (EAM) is a federal government-wide program that promotes sustainability and energy efficiency, while encouraging the smart use of energy, water, and transportation resources. EAM is designed to increase attention to energy use, and to develop energy efficient behaviors that will continue throughout the year.

According to the Commander, Navy Installations Command, energy is critical to the Department of the Navy’s (DoN) ability to accomplish its mission – to provide the global presence necessary to ensure stability, deter potential adversaries, and present options in times of crisis.

Editor’s Note: In this issue, we will be focusing on energy-related articles such as diverse views on energy use, how the Navy moves forward on renewable energy, tips on conserving energy at home and work, and alternative ways to use clean energy in the Air Force. Read pages 7-9 to learn more about the command’s energy focus.

Navy paves way forward on Diverse VIEWS October is Energy Action Month, what do you do to conserve energy?

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Submitted by MCCS Jackey Smith and David D. Underwood, Jr.

Maj. Marie Juan-Roque HQ PACAF

“We leave the lights off and open the window shades whenever there is daylight.”

Staff Sgt. Stephen Roberts 8th Intelligence Squadron “All electronics are turned off, A/C is on a timer, window shades open during daylight, lights are turned off when not in use.”

Quarter Master 3rd Class Raquel King Navy Region Hawaii “I double check that all lights are off in the apartment. In addition, I do not use the air conditioner. The ocean provides a cool breeze throughout the apartment when all of the windows are open.”

Chief Master at Arms Brian Breeding Navy Region Hawaii “Before we leave the house, we turn the lights out and shut down electronics when not in use. We live in a community that has higher electricity costs than most so we try to keep that in mind.”

By Kathy Isobe Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

R

ear Adm. Robert Chadwick, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, conducted a meeting with local leaders to discuss energy security and renewable energy Sept. 23.

In attendance were the Hawaii State Energy Office, City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, and Hawaiian Electric (HECO).

Discussions included increasing renewable energy on island, reducing taxpayer expense for energy, and collaborating on moving transportation on island to 100% renewable power.

According to Chadwick, energy resilience for Hawaii is critical to force projection, freedom of the seas and the future of the world’s blue-water economy.

“We discussed working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City and County of Honolulu to support energy resilience, reduce climate emissions and promote resilient communities,” said Chadwick.

help address critical energy security gaps.

Other benefits include energy resilience, meeting the state’s renewable energy goals, increasing energy availability to maintain JBPHH operations during localized or island-wide outages, and ensuring Navy missions are not compromised in times of conflict.

“We look forward to being a strong partner in helping support the Oahu Resilience Strategy and developing a durable framework with our partners from HECO, the City and County of Honolulu and the Hawaii State Energy Office.”

Maintaining reliability is critical to both local and national security.

The recent energy discussion follows earlier collaborations to promote resilience. A 2014 MOU with the state and Coast Guard provides community support during emergency conditions for use of JBPHH to offload critical cargo in the event that Honolulu Harbor is unavailable.

Cargo offloading at Honolulu Harbor provides for over 80% of critical goods necessary for survival in the entire state, not just Oahu.

The Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency is a city charter-mandated agency created to respond to increasing climate change, - Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick, commander, resilience and other sustainability CNRH and COMNAVSURFGRU MIDPAC challenges on island.

The Navy is planning an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) to provide whole-base energy resilience, which will

“We look forward to being a strong partner in helping support the Oahu Resilience Strategy and developing a durable framework with our partners from HECO, the City and County of Honolulu and the Hawaii State Energy Office,” said Chadwick.

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Alison Bruce-Maldonado)

moving aircraft with

Clean energy

By Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz 154th Wing Public Affairs

T

he Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) recently demonstrated the use of alternative energy to tow a KC-135 Stratotanker at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam.

A U-30 Aircraft Tow Tractor retrofitted with hydrogen fuel cells towed 186,000 pound aircraft on the Hickam flightline July 18. It was to demonstrate the efficacy of the technology by showing how the U.S. Air Force could incorporate the use of renewable energy in conducting operational missions while lessening its dependency on fossil fuels.

According to the Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies

(HCATT), the event marked the first time hydrogen fuel cell technology have been used to tow a large U.S. Air Force aircraft and was made possible through a collaborative effort of public and private entities.

“We’re very pleased about this first demonstration. We’ve worked with U.S. Hybrid, TUG Technologies, and the Air Force Research Laboratory on this vehicle for three years and have garnered a lot of technical knowledge along the way,” said retired Col. Dave Molinaro, HCATT project manager.

“But to get it in the hands of an Air National Guard Airman doing an operational mission is really what is most rewarding.”

A hydrogen fuel cell powered U-30 Aircraft Tow Tractor tows a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the HIANG 203rd Air Refueling Squadron at JBPHH July 18.

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Alison Bruce-Maldonado)

Working closely with the original manufacturer, U.S. Hybrid Corporation modified the diesel-based drive train with a 30kW fuel cell, two 5kg hydrogen storage tanks, a 28 kilowatt hour [kWh] Li-ion battery configuration, and a 240kW AC induction motor linked to the transmission.

Hydrogen for the U-30 is produced using HCATT’s electrolyzer at JBPHH in a relatively simple process of splitting water with DC electricity into oxygen and hydrogen gas. The fuel cell in the tug combines the hydrogen gas and ambient air to produce electricity with byproducts being water, heat and zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Comments by HIANG tow team members centered on the tug’s relative quietness, smooth operation, and the lack of diesel fuel smell.

154th Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs hook up a tow bar to a hydrogen fuel cell powered U-30 Aircraft Tow Tractor JBPHH July 18.

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Alison Bruce-Maldonado)

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“I’ve never seen a tug move that smoothly and without the lurching

common to other tow vehicles,” said Chief Master Sgt. Edward Tang, 154th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance superintendent who was among the dozens of HIANG Airmen on-hand conducting or observing the demo.

The tug demo was just one example of the HIANG’s efforts to incorporate renewable energy in its operations.

In 2018 an HCATT hydrogen fuel cell generator provided the energy to power a multinational training exercise while numerous facilities at the HIANG campus on JBPHH receive their power from solar panel technology.

“This is a technology that can help the Air Force be more resilient,” said retired Brig. Gen. Stan Osserman, HCATT director. “ I have a feeling that this will perform as well as our other prototypes, and the Air Force will want this kind of reliable, quiet, pollution free gear in its support equipment arsenal.”

Taking

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Action

“Every dollar saved in your energy bill is a dollar that goes back into recapitalization of your housing partners neighborhood. It’s a dollar that comes back to you and that’s a direct result of energy conservation.”

- Capt. Jeff Bernard, JBPHH commander

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Kerik Vargas switches his lights to high efficient light bulbs as part of an energy conservation initiative at Navy Region Hawaii May 12, 2011. (U.S. Navy file photo by MC2 Mark Logico)

By Anna General Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

E

nergy efficiency, culture and behavior, and renewable energy and sustainability are three pillars to the Navy’s shore energy approach.

With the recent fiscal year 2020 increase of electricity rates at Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam (JBPHH) on Oahu and Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, residents living in Public Private (PPV) housing are encouraged to conserve energy to control the cost of their monthly electricity bill.

According to Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Hawaii, PPV housing residents are charged a rate no higher than the local utility residential rate of approximately $.32 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for Oahu and $.33 per kWh for Kauai.

“Military residents living in privatized housing pay for their electricity usage based on Navy and Air Force-designed utility payment programs that encourage energy conservation,” said Darryl Nii, housing director, Navy Region Hawaii. “Residents receive a monthly billing statement based on how their usage is compared to their respective group’s allowance.”

The programs are the Resident Energy Conservation Program (RECP) used by Ohana Military Communities residents, and the Utilities Allowance Program (UAP) used by Hickam Communities residents. These programs combine similar homes together and calculates a monthly usage allowance for each group.

According to the program policy, a 10% buffer is added above and below the monthly average usage to create a 20% normal usage band (NUB). Residents who use less electricity than

the NUB allowance receive a rebate for the energy saved. Residents who use more than the NUB allowance are required to pay for the excess usage, and residents who consume the average will not be billed or receive a credit.

“The average electricity usage for military residents [Ohana Military Communities] is approximately 1,300 kWh per home but a little more for Hickam Communities,” said Nii. “The average monthly electricity usage by residents living in privatized housing has decreased significantly ever since these programs were implemented.”

NAVFAC Hawaii buys power from the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), which is distributed to Navy-owned power grids on JBPHH and PMRF. Monthly fluctuations may occur with oil market changes and resident usage.

Hawaii has the highest electricity rates in the country but with the RECP and UAP, there are energy conservation benefits to living in PPV housing.

“Over the past five years on the Navy side, we’ve saved enough money to restore and repair air conditioning to 635 Pearl City Peninsula houses and build a playground on Moanalua Terrace,” said Capt. Jeff Bernard, commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

“Every dollar saved in your energy bill is a dollar that goes back into recapitalization of your housing partners neighborhood. It’s a dollar that comes back to you and that’s a direct result of energy conservation.”

With the electricity rate increase this fiscal year, October also marks Energy Action Month, which is designed to increase awareness on

energy use, and to develop energy efficient behaviors that will continue throughout the year.

“Do everything you can to understand where your energy is being used. If you don’t know, contact the housing office Know-Load Program and they’ll come out and do an audit of your house and help you understand those things,” said Bernard. “Anytime you can turn things off, turn them off, especially if you’re going to be out of town or out of the house for the day or some period of time. Turn off as much as you can.”

To learn more about RECP, visit https://www. cnic.navy.mil/ffr/housing/recp.html or contact your local housing representative.

Energy Conservation Tips Use ENERGY STAR products.

Turn off electronics (lights, fan, TV) when not in use.

Use natural lighting when feasible.

Unplug equipment that drains energy when not in use such as cell phone chargers, coffeemakers, printers, etc.

Change to LED light bulbs.

Adjust the thermostat to a normal temperature.

For more energy conservation tips, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrh/ om/energy/conservationtips.html Ho’okele / October 7, 2019 / 7

U.S. Navy to celeb�ate birthday Compiled by Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

T

he U.S. Navy will celebrate its 244th birthday and heritage with a week of events from Oct. 7 to 13. This year’s theme is “No Higher Honor,” which comes from a quote by Lt. Cmdr. Robert Copeland, commanding officer of World War II destroyer USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413).

According to Naval History and Heritage Command, the theme draws upon the extraordinary service and sacrifice of the Sailors who fought the greatest sea battle in history with a particular focus on heroism of the crew of USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413), during Leyte Gulf’s battle off Samar around the Philippine Islands.

Japanese forces sank USS Samuel B. Roberts during the October 1944 battle off Samar, the most dramatic naval engagement of the Leyte campaign.

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. (See more information on the next page.)

Celebrating Navy’s 244th birthday, we remember the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest sea battle in modern history.

From Oct. 23 to 25 1944, the goal was to liberate the Philippines and secure democracy in the Pacific theater. Four widely separated engagements made up the larger battle.

These offer today’s Sailors multiple examples of heroism in action as we again face great power competition.

“No Higher Honor” links today’s Sailors with those who have gone before them, beginning with the establishment of our Navy in 1775.

For more than two centuries, American Sailors and the U.S. Navy have stood the watch, served with honor, courage, commitment, and have been the shield of the Republic.

Following in the wake of their shipmates from the past, todays Sailors and Navy remain a forward deployed presence 24/7, 365 days a year.

To learn more about the history of the Navy birthday, visit https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/ commemorations-toolkits/navy-birthday.html (Graphic by Naval History and Heritage Command)

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Illustrations and layout by MC1 Corwin Colbert

By DPAA Public Affairs Photos by Sgt. Jacqueline Clifford

Hawaii Events: • On Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Hale Aina Dining Facility will host a special meal to celebrate the Navy birthday. Open to active-duty personnel and DoD ID cardholders. Call 808449-1666 for more information.

• On Oct. 11, the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange (NEX) will celebrate the Navy’s birthday with a cake cutting ceremony and refreshments for customers to enjoy at the NEX rotunda from 9 to 10 a.m.

• On Oct. 11, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will perform at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center in celebration of the Navy birthday. The performance will begin at 10 a.m.

• On Oct. 19, the Navy League and the Hawaii Navy Ball Committee will host the Navy Birthday Ball at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki from 5 to 11:30 p.m. Music will be provided by the Pacific Fleet Band and DJ DLYTE.

Ho’okele / October 7, 2019 /

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USS Oklahoma

Sailor Identified Receives Full Military Honors

By Jim Neuman, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

Nearly 300 service men and women gathered at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu on Sept. 25 to honor the life of Navy Watertender 1st Class Edwin B. McCabe, 27, of Newport, North Carolina.

His niece, Carol Parent, received the flag from the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Honor Guard on behalf of the family.

She spoke about the circumstances that led McCabe to join the Navy.

“He came from a little town in North Carolina, just a speck on the map really. He wanted to get off the farm and see the world, and serve his country at the same time,” said Parent.

“My grandfather signed a waiver for him to join at the age of 16. He loved his job and he loved being a Sailor.”

On Dec. 7, 1941, McCabe was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, moored at Ford Island, in Pearl Harbor, when the base was attacked by the Empire of Japan. The USS Oklahoma capsized after being struck by multiple torpedos.

The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including McCabe.

McCabe’s remains were not identified after the attack and were eventually buried at Punchbowl along with an estimated

U.S. Sailors assigned to Navy Region Hawaii conduct a funeral for U.S. Navy Watertender 1st Class Edwin McCabe, of Newport, North Carolina, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu Sept. 25. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Seth Coulter)

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388 individual sets of remains that were designated as “unknowns” from the USS Oklahoma.

McCabe was recently identified through DNA analysis by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) forensic laboratory and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Beginning in 2003, DPAA disinterred and reexaminerd he remains of the USS Oklahoma “unknowns” using modern techniques resulting in the positive identification of more than 200 Sailors and Marines to date, with new IDs announced on a nearly weekly basis.

Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, attended the burial as a distinguished guest. The funeral service also included a flag detail, firing detail, bugler and military chaplain.

Several other McCabe family members traveled to Oahu and were also present during the ceremony. Parent expressed a heartfelt appreciation for the ceremony.

“I was blown away. I was just truly speechless. It made me feel so much pride, not just for my uncle and his sacrifice, but for our country. So wonderful to see all those service members attend the burial. Our family just couldn’t be prouder.”

DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting of missing personnel to their families and the nation.

For more information about DPAA, visit https://www.dpaa.mil/.

Carol Parent, niece of U.S. Navy Watertender 1st Class Edwin McCabe, of Newport, North Carolina, arrives for McCabe’s funeral at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu Sept. 25. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Seth Coulter)

USS Oklahoma (BB-37). (Photo courtesy of Naval History & Heritage Command)

A flag is presented to Carol Parent, niece of U.S. Navy Watertender 1st Class Edwin McCabe, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu Sept. 25.

To her left is Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Seth Coulter)

Ho’okele / October 7, 2019 / 11

Military, community volunteer in cleanup Story and photos by MCSN Aja Jackson Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

Capt. Marc Delao, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, interacts with Bruce Keaulani, member of the Ali’i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club and descendant of King Kamehameha I during the Loko Pa’aiau Fishpond cleanup Sept. 28.

Capt. Marc Delao, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, hugs Aunty Kehaulani Lum, president of the Ali’i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, during the Loko Pa’aiau Fishpond cleanup Sept. 28.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), and members of the Honolulu community participated in a cleanup of the Loko Pa’aiau Fishpond Sept. 28.

The purpose of restoring the fishpond is to bring fish and vegetation back in order to sustain the future generations of the Hawaiian population.

A few notable contributors in the community include Brandon Elefante, Honolulu City Councilman, and Capt. Marc Delao, commanding officer of NAVFAC.

“Just being with the local people and a handful of Sailors, we are able to have this time and fellowship.”

“This is an ongoing relationship we have with the community and we’re helping them out as they help us,” said Delao.

“Just being with the local people and a handful of Sailors, we are able to have this time and fellowship.”

The cleanup fell on National Public Lands Day which is the largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands, according to the National Environmental Education Foundation.

Before the cleanup began, Kehaulani Lum, who is affectionately called “Auntie,” the president of Ali’i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, provided a traditional Hawaiian blessing for the fishpond to honor the ancestors of all community members that took part in the cleanup. The blessing must take place before entering the sacred space.

“The brilliance of this space is that nature is peace,” said Lum. “The fish coming now have been coming for generations because fish always return. They could very well be the descendants of the queen who created this space.”

Brandon Elefante, Honolulu City Councilman, picks up branches during a cleanup of the Loko Pa’aiau Fishpond Sept. 28.

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Capt. Marc Delao, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, clears weeds during a cleanup of the Loko Pa’aiau Fishpond Sept. 28.

This ancient Hawaiian fishpond was built about 500 years ago and is one of three still remaining around Pearl Harbor.

PACAF Airmen

Staff Sgt. Derek Wilson, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific vocalist, sings the National Anthem during the Air Force ball official ceremony Sept. 20.

Celebrate Heritage at Air Force Ball

By PACAF Public Affairs, Photos by Staff Sgt. Hailey Haux

This year, the U.S. Air Force celebrated its 72nd birthday and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) celebrated its 75th anniversary at the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki Sept. 20. As part of the birthday and anniversary celebrations, six former PACAF commanders and command chiefs visited Hawaii and were guests of honor.

U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Airmen perform during the Air Force Ball Sept. 20.

Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Pacific Air Forces commander, hands a fork to Airman 1st Class Treye Plants, the most junior Air Force member in attendance of the Air Force ball, as Gen. (retired) Patrick Gamble, former PACAF commander, looks on Sept. 20.

Gifts for six former Pacific Air Forces commanders and command chiefs sit on a table before the official ceremony takes place at the Air Force Ball Sept. 20.

The Pacific Air Forces’ birthday cake sits on a table before the official ceremony takes place at the Air Force ball in Honolulu Sept. 20.

Honor Guard Airmen from Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam prepare to present the colors during the Air Force ball on Sept. 20.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Robles, Pacific Air Forces Airman, and Emily Joy take a photo with Diamond Head in the background before the official ceremony takes place at the Air Force ball Sept. 20.

Ho’okele / October 7, 2019 / 13

Pearl Harbor Survivor Laid to Rest in Hometown Sailors assigned to the NOSC Wichita render military funeral honors for U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur Clayton Barrett, a Sailor killed in the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 aboard the USS Oklahoma, during a funeral held in his hometown of El Dorado, Kansas Sept. 14.

Story and photos by MC2 Justin Pacheco NPASE Det. Hawaii

A

lmost 78 years after he died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941, Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur Clayton Barrett was finally laid to rest Sept. 14 in his hometown of El Dorado, Kansas.

Barrett was among 380 Sailors and Marines lost aboard the Nevada-class battleship USS Oklahoma (BB 37) in the attack. Early Thursday afternoon, more than seven decades after his ship sank; Barrett’s remains were flown into Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. Reserve Sailors from Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Wichita conducted planeside honors amid wind and rain, while crewmembers from USS Wichita (LCS 13) attended as part of Wichita Navy Week. “[Barrett] just came to Pearl Harbor to do a good job as a Sailor, just like all of us do,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Ryan King, USS Wichita command master chief. “He fought, and fought hard. Today we came here to honor his sacrifice, just like we do all of our service members that made the ultimate sacrifice like he did.”

At 25, Barrett left Kansas for the first time in 1940 to enlist in the Navy “to learn a trade,” according to his family. He served aboard Oklahoma until the attack on Pearl Harbor killed more than 2,400 Americans.

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King said Barrett would have started a normal day aboard the ship just like any other, until his life and the lives of all Americans changed forever in a few short minutes.

Barrett’s journey finally ended in El Dorado with more than 200 local residents, officials and veterans on hand – dozens of American flags flourishing in a late summer breeze. Barrett’s surviving family attended and shared stories about his last days before reporting to Hawaii, and the letters he wrote home.

"Talking to Seaman Barrett's family, I learned something wonderful about his life – he was in love,” said Lt. John Stevens, from the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “He wrote letters home, which his family donated to the local museum, and one of which talked about meeting someone in San Francisco.

They had the time of their lives, blew all their money, and planned to get married after his tour aboard Oklahoma.”

Stevens added Barrett’s relatives are convinced his girlfriend wrote his final letter for him, as the handwriting and structure was different from his others.

Sailors assigned to the NOSC Wichita render military funeral honors for U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur Clayton Barrett, a Sailor killed in the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 aboard the USS Oklahoma, during a funeral held in his hometown of El Dorado, Kansas Sept. 14.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Michael Huerter plays a rendition of “Taps” during military funeral honors held for U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur Clayton Barrett, a Sailor killed in the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 aboard the USS Oklahoma, held in his hometown of El Dorado, Kansas Sept. 14.

“His plans were tragically cut short, so it’s bittersweet, but the impression it left on his family was that he got to experience love,” said Stevens.

"Sailors – all service members – they deserve the same honors,” said King, “and Seaman Barrett deserved his honors."

Barrett’s repatriation was one of more than 100 events in which Navy units participated Sept. 9-15 during Wichita Navy Week, one of the 14 planned by the Navy Office of Community Outreach in 2019. Navy Week’s focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects.

Capt. James Mehail, right, and Sailors assigned to the NOSC Wichita render military funeral honors for U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur Clayton Barrett, a Sailor killed in the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 aboard the USS Oklahoma, during a funeral held in his hometown of El Dorado, Kansas Sept. 14.

Ho’okele / October 7, 2019 / 15

Chiefs participate in FMF challenge

Story and photos by MC2 Devin Langer NPASE Det. Hawaii

Cheers and motivational words filled the humid air. Sweat dripped down the face of someone who was once a first class petty officer. While carrying a fellow Sailor on top of her shoulders, she hustled down a grassy field. She took small strides as her teammates surrounded her, encouraging her to keep pushing until she reached the finish line. Another challenge complete.

More than 5,000 Sailors around the world donned khakis and received their anchors Sept.

13. Those Sailors selected for chief petty officer went through six weeks of initiation training starting the moment their name was announced.

This is known as “Chief Season.” Along with various forms of leadership training, physical training played a key role in the forging of the former first class petty officers into the chiefs they are today.

“We have to lead by example, right?” said Chief Steelworker Joshua Brewer, assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Detachment Pearl Harbor. “If we’re going to lead by example, then we need to look like the example.”

Some of the physical challenges the Hawaiibased chiefs faced involved various forms of training to include running, swimming, hiking the local mountains, and participating in island-wide organized events.

For Brewer, the challenges go beyond the physical and mental strength.

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“You have to visualize the success,” said Brewer.

“If you can’t think you’re going to be successful, you won’t be. It’s not really so much if you’re physically or mentally fit, it’s whether or not you have heart. Are you going to do it or give up? ‘Give up’ is not an option.”

One of the biggest lessons the physical challenges taught each chief was how to work as a team.

Each challenge emphasized the importance of teamwork. Whether it was working together to accomplish a goal or simply cheering each other on, there was no individual-based evolution.

“When I needed motivation, the aspect of teamwork helped a lot,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Maria Tindall, assigned to Naval Health Clinic Hawaii. “A lot of it is mental, and your body can take a lot more than you think it can. When you have teamwork and motivation from your fellow Sailors, that pushes you to do more.”

Working together throughout the season allowed each challenge to be looked at from different perspectives, which allowed each Sailor to develop new ways to solve problems.

“I think the saying ‘Chiefs are Forged’ is there because you weren’t born knowing everything or having the skills overnight,” said Tindall. “You definitely have to work with other people, and it’s not a one-person show. Everyone’s experience is different and you have to learn from them, which will in turn make you a better chief.”

Overall, the process to becoming a chief can seem like a daunting task for some. The transition from E6 to chief petty officer is more than just putting

on a new collar device and making more money.

The chief’s mess is a team organization built from hard work, commitment to service and dedication to leadership. Chief’s aren’t made; they’re forged.

To read the full story, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/ news/343778/forged.

Sailors selected to become chief petty officers participate in a tug of war competition during the FMF challenge onboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii Aug. 29.

Building communities, fostering connections

By Airman 1st Class Erin Baxter 15th Wing Public Affairs

C

ommunity is an integral part of building a functioning military installation. From maintaining the readiness of Airmen to performing their jobs, and to making sure their families feel safe and supported.

Lt. Col. Shawn Menchion, 15th Wing chaplain and 67th Airbase Group deputy joint base chaplain, plays a vital part on helping build communities here at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam by being available for anyone who wants to talk.

“We are purveyors of spirituality and assist in helping those who are faith-centered and religious find their places or communities of faith, as well as those who are non-religious find those communities that support them,” said Menchion. “So we’re in the support business.”

Religious or not, Menchion’s duty as chaplain is to help the personnel on base forge stronger connections with each other and themselves.

“There are a lot of benefits to building community and connectivity on base,” he said. “First and foremost is a person or military member’s sense of belonging . . . if you’re going through some rough patches in life and you want to reach out, you have a community of veterans and military members who have similar experiences and can identify with what you are experiencing.”

Because the sense of belonging can be so impactful, the base has been working hard toward increasing connectivity on the installation, to help strengthen the morale and resiliency of the Airmen who work here.

“There are clubs being developed, resilience events, morale events,

sporting events, and concerts that bring all the squadron members together and allows folks to connect,” Menchion said.

Airman 1st Class Lidia LopezPalacios, a 15th Comptroller Squadron financial customer service technician, is a positive example of how engaging on base can be effective.

“I think it’s really important because coming to an island where you don’t know anyone and it’s your first time away from home, if you don’t build connections you start to feel really alone,” she said.

Lopez-Palacios thinks that by experiencing life on base, Airmen can help themselves and others.

“When I first got here, I was worried because this was my first time being away from home, and a lot of the Airmen would come up and talk to

me and invite me to go do things,” she said. “It made me feel more welcomed.”

To Menchion, connectivity plays a big role in a military service member’s resilience to life circumstances. He believes that strengthening relationships and having a community helps in decision-making and diminishes feelings of being disengaged. He also encourages anyone new to the service to submerge themselves in the military culture.

“Step out and meet new people and don’t be afraid to do that, because being in the military is like being in a huge extended family, and it’s frightening at first,” he said. “I definitely want to encourage those Airmen to reach out and not be afraid to get out of their comfort zone and make new friends.”

To connect with friends or make new ones, visit www.greatlifehawaii.com.

Mathies Hall reopens (Left to right) Capt. Jeff Bernard, commander, Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam, contractor Alan Shintani and Airmen Matthew Davis cut a ribbon to reopen the newly renovated Mathies Hall during a ribbon cutting ceremony located on the Hickam side of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Oct. 2. Mathies Hall dormitory is housing for unaccompanied Airmen on PCS orders. (Photo by Erin Huggins)

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Celebrating Octoberfest Story and photo by Reid Tokeshi, MWR Marketing

O

ompah band...pretzels...sausage...are some of the images that come to mind when you hear the word Oktoberfest.

Men dressed in lederhosen and women dressed in dirndl dresses celebrated with music, food and drinks at the at the Club Pearl Paradise lounge at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Sept. 29.

History of Oktoberfest Oktoberfest originated over 200 years ago as a celebration of the marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in October of 1810 in Bavaria.

The citizens of Munich were invited to attend and the party lasted five days with food, drink and music.

It was so popular that Bavaria decided to bring it back every year to celebrate its culture. Eventually it grew into what is now a 16 to 18-day festival (depending on the year) ending on the first day of October.

For more information on upcoming events, visit www.greatlifehawaii.com.

Naval Health Clinic Hawaii transitions to Defense Health Agency

By Macy Hinds Naval Health Clinic Hawaii

Naval Branch Health Clinic Makalapa at sunrise. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Randi Brown)

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“Readiness is Navy’s top priority,” said Zuzelski.

“The survivability of our personnel in the warfighting environment requires us to maintain an operationally ready medical force. The NMRTC will ensure our Sailors are ready to deploy and save lives at a moment’s notice.”

Naval Health Clinic Hawaii (NHCH), including its five branch health clinics on the island of Oahu, transitioned to the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The transition will continue until Sept. 30, The transition of administration and manage2021. ment will be seamless to patients, with little or no immediate impact to their experience, acTo support NHCH’s transition, Navy Medicine is cess, scope of current services, or quality of establishing a co-located Navy Medicine Readmedical care. iness and Training Command (NMRTC). Navy Medicine, through the NMRTC, retains command “The multi service market on Oahu is nothing and control of the uniformed medical force and new to our beneficiaries,” said Zuzelski. “Military maintains responsibility for operational readiness. healthcare in Hawaii has essentially been operThis includes the medical readiness of Sailors ating as one market the past few years through and Marines, as well as the clinical readiness of partnerships such as joint staffing, centralized the medical force. referral management, and call centers. The transition will increase efficiency by standardNMRTCs will report to Naval Medical Forces izing and creating consistency across military Atlantic (NMFA) and Pacific (NMFP), formerly services, ensuring our patients receive the same known as Navy Medicine East and West, which exceptional level of care regardless of where in turn are accountable to the Bureau of Medicine they are seen. The transition will be transparent and Surgery. to our beneficiaries.”

Capt. Kimberly Zuzelski, commanding officer of NHCH, will serve as both the MTF director under the DHA, and the NMRTC commanding officer under Navy Medicine.

To read the full story, visit https://www.dvidshub. net/news/345863/naval-health-clinic-hawaiistand-up-navy-medicine-readiness-training-command-they-transition-defense-health-agency

kaiaulu (community) October Upcoming Events

11 OCT

NOW Fall Craft Camp Registration Register your children for this four-day session from Oct. 8 to 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arts & Craft Center. Cost is $70 per person and open to ages 7 and up. For more information, call 808-448-9907.

8 OCT Hispanic Heritage Month Observance

17 OCT Meet Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine

U.S. Pacific Fleet Band performance in celebration of the Navy Birthday

The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will perform at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center from 10 a.m. in support of the Navy's 244th Birthday.

Meet the TV star at Paradise Lounge in Club Pearl from 7 p.m. Event is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit greatlifehawaii.com.

The Joint Base Diversity Committee is hosting a recognition ceremony to commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Chapel from 10 to 11 a.m. For more information, call 808-473-6754.

18 OCT

15 OCT Pumpkin Carving & Crafts Free event open to teens and their families at the Teen Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 808448-1068.

10 OCT

16 OCT

Celebrate the Navy’s birthday with a special meal at Hale Aina Dining Facility from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to all DoD ID cardholders and active-duty personnel. For more information, call 808-449-1666.

Paint your masterpiece while sipping on a beverage from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Tradewinds. Cost is $40 and includes all art supplies. Advance sign-up is recommended. For more information, call 808-448-9907.

Navy’s 244th Birthday Special Meal

Help create awareness for disability employment and enjoy a special meal at Hale Aina Dining Facility from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to all DoD ID cardholders and active duty. For more information, call 808-449-1666.

20 OCT

Paint & Sip

s e m i t w o h S e i v Mo

National Disability Employment Awareness Special Meal

Win a chance to see the advance screening of “Midway” You could be the lucky ones to see this free advanced screening happening at Sharkey Theater. Follow GreatlifeHawaii’s Facebook page for more details coming soon on how you can enter.

Hickam Memorial Theater Sharkey Theater Open to ac�ve-duty military and their family members, re�rees, DoD civilians and their sponsored guests. *Movie lis�ngs are subject to change.

Visit www.greatlifehawaii.com for the complete movie lis�ng.

Located at 7393 Ohana Nui Circle on the Hickam side of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Located at Moore Street Bldg. 628 on the Pearl Harbor side of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Thursday, Oct. 10 • 6:30 p.m. IT: ChapterTwo (R)

Thursday, Oct. 10 • 7 p.m. Blinded by the Light (PG-13)

Saturday, Oct. 12 • 3 p.m. Blinded by the Light (PG-13), 6 p.m.

Hustlers (R)

Friday, Oct. 11 • 7 p.m. Hustlers (R) Saturday, Oct. 12 • 2:30 p.m. Spider-Man: Far from Home (NDVD) (PG-13) Free admission, 5:20 p.m. Overcomer (PG), 7:50 p.m.

Ready or Not (R)

Friday, Oct. 11 • 7 p.m. Hustlers (R)

Sunday, Oct. 13 • 2 p.m. Good Boys (R), 4:30 p.m. IT: Chapter Two (R) Thursday, Oct. 17 • 6:30 p.m. Hustlers (R) Ho’okele / October 7, 2019 / 21