Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
MARINES
Japanese unit visits Kane'ohe
Patrol Squadron 4 at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i-Kane'ohe Bay was host to a detachment of five P-3 Orion aircraft and crews from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for a four-week series of local area flights and joint training missions, ending last week.
Japan sends a detachment of this size to Kane'ohe Bay once each year. Most crews have flown from Kanoya Air Base, in Kaboshima, Japan.
Lt. John Wigglesworth of the squadron, known as the Skinny Dragons, briefed the detachment on flight rules and led a familiarization flight around the Islands. Lt. Craig Exum gave a brief on anti-submarine warfare tactics.
Patrol Squadron 4 recently returned from a Western Pacific deployment, with two sites in Japan — one in Misawa and the other on the island of Okinawa.
The detachment left for the Mainland on Wednesday for a training in San Diego, Calif., and Whidbey Island, Wash. The detachment will revisit O'ahu for two weeks before returning to Japan.
AIR FORCE
Commander visits Korea
Gen. William J. Begert, the new commander of the Pacific Air Forces, visited the Korean peninsula May 29-30.
The general, who first visited Korea three decades ago as a junior officer, made the trip to learn more about the Seventh Air Force mission.
While making note of the Pacific Air Force Command's limited resources, including aging aircraft, he reported the forces mission-ready.
Begert also commented on the need for new schools and recreational facilities, as well as workplace improvements for Korea-based forces, and pledged to lobby for additional resources.
The commander chose the Korean peninsula as his first trip in his new position because the region is seen as one of the more volatile under his command.
Begert has announced plans to return to the Korean peninsula for a longer visit in two to three months.
Thunderbirds to visit Hickam
The Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team will perform Oct. 27 at Hickam Air Force Base, during Friends and Neighbors Day 2001.
Aircraft will be on display at the event, and the base will set up a "tent city" to demonstrate what a deployed unit looks like.
The one-day event will be open to the public.
NAVY
Elks honor flag on Mighty Mo
Elks Lodges throughout Hawai'i celebrated Flag Day aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial yesterday with a ceremony, "A Salute to Old Glory," and a presentation of the flag's history.
On Aug. 3, 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed an order of Congress proclaiming June 14 as National Flag Day. Citizens are encouraged to display the flag on that day.
Elks Lodges in Hawai'i honor the flag each year on the Sunday before Flag Day.
