Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
ARMY
New leader for Army named
The Army announced that Brig. Gen. Eric T. Olson, the commandant of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, will replace Maj. Gen. James Dubik as commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army Hawai'i.
Dubik, an authority on Army transformation to a lighter, faster fighting force, took command of the 25th Division in November of 2000.
In line with that change, Hawai'i was selected for a prototype fast-responding Interim Brigade Combat Team that will use eight-wheeled armored vehicles to speed troops to the battlefield. Some 300 of the vehicles are expected to be assigned to the brigade.
Dubik's new assignment and the change-of-command date were not revealed.
Olson is a West Point graduate and has a master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.
Schofield troops deploy in Bosnia
The 25th Infantry Division (Light) took over peacekeeping duties in Bosnia on April 5 as part of Stabilization Force 11. The transfer-of-authority ceremony was held at Eagle Base.
Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack Jr. took command of Multinational Division (North) from the National Guard's 29th Infantry Division. The six-month mission represents the first deployment to Europe by Schofield Barracks troops.
Among those in attendance was Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, who is from Kaua'i.
There are three multinational divisions performing peacekeeping duties in Bosnia. Swannack has responsibility for U.S. forces and the Nordic-Polish Battle Group, a Turkish battalion task force, and a Russian brigade in the Multinational Division (North) sector.
The Army also announced that Swannack has been named the new commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. He is expected to report to the paratrooper division at Fort Bragg, N.C. following his duties in Bosnia.
AIR FORCE
Aviation museum to get 'Bird Dog'
A Cessna O-1 "Bird Dog" used in Forward Air Control missions during the Vietnam War was to make its final flight Saturday before being donated to the Military Aviation Museum of the Pacific.
The O-1 was scheduled to fly over the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl during the dedication of a plaque commemorating the accomplishments of Forward Air Controllers who flew in South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
The Forward Air Controllers Association held a reunion on O'ahu last week, and some 250 pilots and family members from the United States, New Zealand and Australia were expected to attend. The pilots flew lightly or unarmed aircraft low and slow over jungle canopies spotting enemy positions and helping rescue downed air crews.
The Military Aviation Museum is slated to open on Dec. 7, 2004 in the historic hangars and control tower on the south side of Ford Island.
ALL SERVICES
Military Week will be a month
Military Appreciation Week has been expanded to a month for 2002.
The Military Affairs Council and Armed Services Committee of The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i have planned the event for the past 17 years. May 17 will mark opening ceremonies at the USS Missouri Memorial on Ford Island.
On May 18, Armed Forces Day, the annual Combined Military Band Concert will be held at 7 p.m. at Hawai'i Theatre, with bands from all services to pooling their talent.
The annual Military Recognition Luncheon will be held May 22 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where 350 to 400 business and governmental leaders will be host to approximately 300 uniformed military guests.
On May 31 and June 1, the first "Experience Hawaii With Aloha Expo" will be held at Hickam Air Force Base. Local vendors will have the opportunity to show products and services to a military audience.
