Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
NAVY
Special boat tours set for May 25-26
Officials with the USS Arizona Memorial will play host to special interpretive boat tours around Ford Island on May 25 and 26.
Three limited-seating boat tours will be offered on each day, as well as the usual movie and shuttle boat to the memorial.
National Park Service rangers will present oral histories of Pearl Harbor, and passengers will get a chance to see historic sites and buildings that played a significant role during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack. In addition, the shuttle will pass by the sunken USS Utah to honor the ship's crew.
The tours are free. The following schedule is offered:
May 25 — 9:30 a.m., "From Fishponds to Battleships," describes early geographic formations, importance to Native Hawaiians, and strategic influence to the U.S. military; 11 a.m., "Query as to Why," answering the many questions asked about the attack on Pearl Harbor; 1 p.m., "Pearl Harbor Remembered," examines the deteriorating Japanese-American relations prior to Dec. 7, 1941, and explains the attack on the Pacific Fleet.
May 26 — 9:30 a.m., "Query as to Why"; 11 a.m., "Pearl Harbor Remembered"; 1 p.m., "Fishponds to Battleships."
Advance registration is required for the tours. The deadline is the close of business May 24. To register, call ranger Naomi Drye at 422-2771, Ext. 128. Each boat is limited to 150 people.
AIR FORCE
15th Air Base Wing gets award
The 15th Air Base Wing at Hickam Air Force Base received the Outstanding Unit Award for the period between Nov. 29, 1999 and Nov. 30, 2001.
Among the accomplishments cited for the award was savings of $9 million and four months over contractor estimates by having a Logistics Support and Operations group remove and renovate the interior of aircraft.
A 15th Logistics Group reorganization averaged $11 million in cost-savings, and the 15th Medical Group was granted full accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
ARMY
Live-fire exercises resume at Makua
Schofield Barracks is resuming combined-arms live-fire training exercises in Makua Valley tomorrow, Saturday, and May 22, the Army said.
"The ability to train at Makua has allowed the Army to prepare for any mission our leaders may give us during these troubled times," said Col. John C. Woods, assistant division commander for operations for the 25th Infantry Division (Light). "At the same time, we have reaffirmed our commitment to preserving the lands entrusted to our care."
Brothers take second in Ranger contest
Two brothers from Schofield Barracks recently captured second place in the annual David E. Grange "Best Ranger Competition" at Fort Benning, Ga.
Capt. Jeffrey VanAntwerp and 1st Lt. Lucas VanAntwerp were one of four teams representing the 25th Infantry Division (Light). It was Lucas VanAntwerp's second "Best Ranger" competition. In 2001, he and partner Staff Sgt. Michael McNulty placed third.
Only 12 of 47 teams finished the competition. The event tests physical conditioning, Ranger skills and strategy around-the-clock for nearly 60 hours.
