Story and photo by
Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
15th Wing Public Affairs

During what was labeled a "family tradition," the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam welcomed its new commander, Col. Sam Barrett, during a change-of-command ceremony officiated by Lt. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, 13th Air Force commander, on May 18 in the shadow of Freedom Tower.

Story by
Charles Ota
Military Affairs, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii

The grand finale of this year's Military Appreciation Month event will be a Military Appreciation Day in Waikiki on Saturday, sponsored by USO Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu.

Story and photo by
MC2 (SW) Mark Logico
Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

The second in a series of Navy individual augmentee (IA) perspectives aired on Hawaii Navy News, a weekly program of
the Honolulu Fox-affiliated KHON2 TV station on May 13 and is available online at HTTP://bit.ly/KHONNavy.

Focusing on a family's perspective, Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW) David Taylor and his wife, Lindsay Hearne, talked about their experiences and the way they coped with the challenges of an IA deployment.

Story and photo by
MC2 Robert Stirrup
Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

Two Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) Three Detachment Middle Pacific received Bronze Star Medals during an awards ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, West Loch Annex on May 14.

Story and photo by
MC2 Ronald Gutridge
Commander Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Office

USS Olympia (SSN 717), USS Greeneville (SSN 772), USS Pasadena (SSN 752) and USS La Jolla (SSN 701), attached to Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, are getting a head start on the upcoming smoking ban below decks on submarines that is scheduled to become effective no later than Dec. 31.

Story and photo by
Ensign Daron Weber
USS Chosin (CG 65) Public Affairs Officer

Nearly 50 years have passed since the hard-fought Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a decisive battle in the Korean War. For two former Marines who survived the bloody conflict, it means remembering the battle and sharing its importance with crew members aboard USS Chosin (CG 65).

Story and photo by
MC2 (SW) Mark Logico
Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) Emergency Management teams hosted the "Operation Prepare-Hurricane Awareness" campaign on May 14.

JBPHH-based Sailors, Airmen and civilians provided specific information on hurricanes in Hawaii and on several non-perishable items for disaster kits that are available at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange (NEX) and Hickam Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES).

Story by
Lt. j.g. Andrea M. Gordon
Naval Legal Service Office

Property crimes make up an overwhelming majority of all crimes. Homes, garages, cars and computers are all susceptible to the attention of thieves. Generally, most property crimes occur when you are not there. Locks only keep honest people out.

Single service members often have no one to watch their personal belongings during a deployment or a period underway. Married service members may also want to consider additional steps to protect their personal belongings, their identity and their credit while they are away. The bottom line for all of us: Our absence is a critical component in planning for our security.

Protect your home

Story and photo by
MC2 Robert Stirrup
Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

Sailors and civilians assigned to Commander, Navy Region Hawaii celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on May 19 at Lockwood Hall.

This year's theme for Asian Pacific Heritage Month was "Diverse Leadership for a Diverse Workforce."

Vice Adm. (retired) Robert Kihune served as the guest speaker for the event.

Story and photo by
Randy Dela Cruz
Contributing Writer

As part of May's celebration of Military Appreciation Month, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii welcomed members of the Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines and Coast Guard to the 25th Annual Military Recognition Luncheon at the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village on May 18.

The event highlighted the unique relationship between the armed forces and the state of Hawaii with opening remarks from Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and an inspiring address from keynote speaker Lt. Gen. Herbert J. Carlisle, Commander 13th Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base.