Gulf contingents get poignant aloha
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
More than 350 Pearl Harbor sailors on the destroyer O'Kane left yesterday, and 250 Marines from Kane'ohe Bay prepared to do so, as Hawai'i-based forces received orders specifically for possible action against Iraq.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Among those deploying and their families, there was a full range of emotions — all underscored by the uncertainty of what lies ahead as the United States girds for another Gulf War.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Hendricks hugs girlfriend Andromeda Axcell and her son Shane Camp, 3, before departing for the Persian Gulf on the USS O'Kane, which left yesterday with more than 350 Pearl Harbor sailors.
"Quite frankly, I'm very, very excited about this (deployment)," said Marine Cpl. Jay Belmarez, 24, who works in maintenance repair with the 1st Radio Battalion. "I take it as an opportunity to leave a fingerprint in history — not to mention participate in the war on terrorism and do my part."
First Lt. Billy K. Rios, 24, a logistics officer, said "there's always apprehension — especially when there are a lot of unknown variables. But the Marine Corps is going to ensure that we receive whatever training we need."
Approximately 250 of the radio battalion's 600 Marines have been ordered to the Middle East. The battalion provides communications support for Marine Corps intelligence organizations and conducts electronic warfare.
Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Mark Aycock said his unit, which has the capability to operate on the front lines or in rear areas, will be living and working out of tents and trailers from an undisclosed location.
"I was actually at our base camp this past Christmas. The living conditions are not as bad as they could be," Aycock said.
The 504-foot O'Kane, capable of firing Tomahawk, Harpoon anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles, left for independent duty yesterday ahead of its regular deployment schedule, and may end up with the USS Carl Vinson carrier battle group.
"I can't really say where we are headed — I wish that I could," said Lt. Cmdr. Rich Riggs, the O'Kane's operations officer. "But I think it's obvious watching the news. People can figure it out."
The Carl Vinson, based out of Bremerton, Wash., is headed for exercises near Hawai'i and may be sent within striking distance of Iraq.
Sailors wore lei and made last-minute cell-phone calls to family members 50 feet away on the pier before the O'Kane pulled away to the strains of BTO's "Taking Care of Business" just after 10 a.m. yesterday.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Eight-month-old Nathan Fajardo woke up just long enough to see off his dad, Christopher, a boatswain's mate second class, before going back to sleep in mom Patricia's arms.
Lt. Debra Gomez of the 1st Radio Battalion at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kane'ohe was notified that 250 in her unit would be deployed in a matter of days.
"I'm scared for him, but I'm also happy for him because I know he's leading a good path for our children and children's children," said Patricia Fajardo, also in the Navy.
This deployment is different because "we had the baby, and he is going to miss a lot of firsts — he's going to miss his first steps and his first birthday," she said.
The newest of four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers home-ported at Pearl Harbor, O'Kane was on its maiden deployment in the Indian Ocean when terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001. Steaming to the coast of Pakistan, the $900 million destroyer provided escort for the carrier Carl Vinson.
As U.N. weapons inspections continue in Iraq, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier this week ordered about 67,000 more U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf, creating a force of about 130,000 in the region already in place.
"It's kind of scary, because we have been hearing lots of news about Iraq," said Beulah Senoren, who with 3-year-old son Michael was seeing off her husband, Hernan, an engineer on the O'Kane.
"We did a lot of preparation," she said — including getting power of attorney. Hernan Senoren said he made sure the car was in good working order, and he paid all the bills.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Leina Swearingen, 25, also was on the O'Kane for its last deployment. This time, she was on the pier looking for her boyfriend, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Krogman, who works in damage control on the ship.
"There's always apprehension," admitted Lt. Billy Rios, logistics officer of the 1st Radio Battalion at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, talking here with Lance Cpl. W.J. Ferris, left, and Sgt. Virginio A. Medeiros.
"I think most of the guys, their main concern is their families back home, making sure they are safe and making sure they are qualified on the ship to do their job in case of an emergency," she said.
But Swearingen said "you feel pretty safe on the ship. It's a great ship and we can defend ourselves."
Wearing several lei, Petty Officer 3rd Class Kaipo Lopes of Kane'ohe waved to his wife, Pamakani, and three young children on the pier as the destroyer pulled out.
"Bye, Daddy!" 3-year-old daughter Keale shouted. "Bye, Daddy!"
"(I feel) sad, just sad — but proud of him," a tearful Pamakani Lopes said. "It's so hard."
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
