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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2003

Briefs

Advertiser Staff

AIR FORCE

80 could lose jobs at Hickam

As part of Air Force personnel reductions mandated service-wide, up to 80 Defense Department civilian positions at Hickam Air Force Base may be cut in fiscal 2004.

"There are more jobs on the books than the current law allows us to fill," said Col. Harvey Jones, Pacific Air Forces Manpower Division chief. "We're reducing these jobs, not manning, for the net effect on the Air Force as a whole."

The civilian personnel office has taken steps including a voluntary early retirement and voluntary separation pay incentive survey to see if the steps would help with job cuts.

"The current plan is to make offers to affected employees in June," said Bruce Scott, the civilian personnel officer.


Air base wing redesignated

Col. Al Riggle was recognized as the last commander of the 15th Air Base Wing at Hickam Air Force Base in a recent change of command ceremony.

The air base wing was redesignated as the 15th Airlift Wing to reflect the future basing of eight C-17 cargo carriers at Hickam, and its new strategic airlift capability.

"The 15th Airlift Wing will share the C-17s with the Hawai'i Air National Guard," said Gen. Bill Begert, Pacific Air Forces commander. "This precedent-setting relationship will allow us to use these aircraft to their maximum capacity."

About $64 million in new construction is planned at Hickam in fiscal 2004 as part of the C-17 basing plan.

Riggle has moved on to become Pacific Air Forces' director of security forces.

Col. Raymond Torres is the new commander of the airlift wing. His most recent assignment was the 15th Operations Group commander.


ARMY

Soldiers ready for Cobra Gold

The 25th Infantry Division (Light) is sending about 1,700 soldiers to Thailand for the annual Cobra Gold exercise Friday through May 29.

Approximately 13,000 U.S. military personnel will take part with Thai and Singaporean forces in the multilateral exercise focusing on peace enforcement, anti-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The 25th Division is commanding all Army forces in the Joint Task Force, and Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, the division's commanding general, will serve as the deputy Task Force commander.

Cobra Gold 2003 is one of the largest exercises involving U.S. forces in the Pacific this year. The training includes joint and combined land and air operations, combined naval operations, and amphibious and special operations.


NAVY

Two selected as sailors of year

Navy Quartermaster 1st Class Paul Oxley, stationed at Pacific Fleet headquarters at Pearl Harbor, was named Pacific Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year, while Machinist's Mate 1st Class Phillip Dennis, stationed on the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, was selected as Pacific Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year.

Three sea sailors and three shore sailors were nominated by commanders to compete in the annual event.

"By the time we get these packages, they are already the best of the best," said Pacific Fleet enlisted adviser Command Master Chief Luis Cruz.