Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
New leaders appointed
Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, Hawai'i's new adjutant general, has made top leadership appointments with the approval of Gov. Linda Lingle.
Col. Vern Miyagi has been selected as assistant Army adjutant general and commander of the Hawai'i Army National Guard. He replaces Brig. Gen. Clarence "Mert" Agena, who retires March 31.
Miyagi was the chief of staff for the Hawai'i Army Guard.
Col. Joseph Chaves has been selected as the commander of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, one of the nation's 15 "enhanced readiness" units required to be ready to deploy within 90 days of federal activation.
Edward Teixeira will continue in his job as vice director of state Civil Defense.
NAVY
'Easy Riders' in Willis movie
Columbia Pictures' "Tears of the Sun," which opened March 7, has more than Island scenery.
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One had parts in the $80 million flick starring Bruce Willis as a Navy SEAL sent in with a team to rescue a doctor in Nigeria.
"It was a real rush to see myself on screen," HSL-37 Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Calvin Mickey told Hawai'i Navy News. Mickey appeared as a helicopter crew member in the film.
Scenes were shot at Maunawili Valley, Kualoa Ranch and in Waialua.
The HSL-37 "Easy Riders" from Marine Corps Base Hawai'i are usually part of Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System detachments sent out with Pacific Fleet ships.
"It was really cool to see our squadron birds flying and to see our guys on the screen," said Lt. Greg Zimmerman from HSL-37.
SEALs from SDV Team One provided support and served as extras.
AIR FORCE
'Stop-loss' policy in effect
The Air Force has authorized the use of "stop-loss" to retain specific skills needed to meet national security.
Effective May 2, 43 officer and 56 enlisted specialties will be affected by the decision, which prevents service members from retiring or leaving their jobs.
"We do not take this action lightly," said Secretary of the Air Force James G. Roche. "Stop-loss is designed to preserve critical skills essential to supporting the global war on terrorism, while ensuring we're prepared to meet other contingencies."
About 21,000 airmen and women will be affected by year's end.
ARMY
Safety first at Schofield
Schofield Barracks has a reminder just inside its Foote Gate entrance that safety is a concern.
A permanent ground sign flashes the number of days since the last fatality for the 25th Infantry Division (Light) with the notation below: "One Team for Safety."
The number flashed recently: 151 days.
"Safety is always top, always first," said Capt. Clifton Harris, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division (Light). "It's in everything we do."
The division offers motorcycle and home- and fire-safety classes, and while in the field, safety officials guide commanders on how to use risk-assessment check sheets.
