Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Korean War ceremony today
The 51st anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War will be commemorated in ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. today at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Adm. Dennis C. Blair, commander in chief of U.S. forces in the Pacific, is scheduled to speak at the Punchbowl ceremonies, along with Ji Doo Lee, consul general of South Korea, and Robert E. Talmadge, former president of the Chosin Few, Aloha Chapter.
On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea, touching off the three-year-long Korean War.
Hawai'i-based units played a vital role in the war; Island residents served at a rate four times higher than the national average, and 456 gave their lives. U.S. casualties totaled 33,665 killed, 105,819 wounded and 8,177 missing in action.
Events through Nov. 11, 2003, are organized by the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Korean War Commission. The commission's Web site is www.dod.state.hi.us/korean50.
COAST GUARD
Utley in charge of 14th District
Rear Adm. Ralph D. Utley, former director of the Navy Command Center and Interagency Support Division in Washington, took command of the 14th Coast Guard District in a ceremony Friday on Sand Island.
Utley succeeded Rear Adm. Joseph J. "Jim" McClelland Jr., who is retiring in Hawai'i after 35 years of military service.
Utley, a 1970 Coast Guard Academy graduate, served as director of the U.S. interdiction director's staff, chief of the Operations Division for the 7th Coast Guard District, chief of the 7th District Law Enforcement Branch, and commanding officer of Air Station Miami.
During his 35 years of service, Utley received three Legions of Merit, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
McClelland, a second-generation Coast Guard officer who became commander of the 14th Coast Guard District in 1998, previously served as director of the Joint Interagency Task Force West, conducting counter-drug strategy in the Pacific, and as deputy commander of Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific.
NAVY
Winns new head of recon force
Rear Adm. Anthony L. Winns relieved Rear Adm. Michael L. Holmes at a change-of-command ceremony for the Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Pacific, Friday at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, Kane'ohe Bay.
The guest speaker was Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, Pacific Fleet commander.
In his new post, Winns is responsible for all combat-ready U.S. Naval Aviation Maritime Patrol (P-3) and Reconnaissance (EP-3) aircraft and personnel in the Pacific.
ARMY
Wildlife studied in Makua area
Army environmental experts from the Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Section at Schofield Barracks, visited the mountainous terrain 2,800 feet above the Makua military range last week to monitor and track endangered plants, snails, birds and bats at 'ñhikilolo.
Natural resource managers and volunteers spend three days every four months protecting the 30 endangered species found in 'ñhikilolo, home to 90 percent of eight endangered species.
