Leaders stress importance of military projects
| • | Lingle seeks to keep construction-boom money, jobs in state |
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
With upcoming deployments, upgraded equipment and technology and billions of dollars worth of construction projects on the horizon, the military's presence in Hawai'i will evolve rapidly in the next several years, a military leader said yesterday.
"Will there be economic benefits? You bet," Gen. William Begert, commander of Pacific Air Forces, said at a Hawai'i-U.S. Military Partnership Conference hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i. "These projects will bring a huge number of dollars here to Hawai'i."
But there are likely to be troubled times in the months to come as well, he said. More than 10,000 active duty, guard and reserve soldiers will deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, and communities are likely to feel the stresses endured by the families left behind.
Begert asked the nearly 200 business and community leaders in attendance to remember the projects are necessary to improve the effectiveness of the military services, not only in Iraq and Afghanistan but also in efforts to ward off threats in the Pacific.
Nuclear capabilities have increased among Pacific Rim neighbors, he said. Tensions between China and Taiwan are an ongoing concern, and the battle to control terrorism in Pacific Island nations has become imperative.
Begert and other military leaders, who gave briefings throughout the morning, described building projects ranging from military housing construction to upgrading facility at Hickam to accommodate eight new C-17 transport planes.
The housing projects alone — some of them creating living quarters that would sell for up to $600,000 outside the gates — will bring in more than $2 billion in the next 10 years. The upgrades at Hickam are likely to exceed $150 million.
The new C-17s, fresh off the factory line, will be maintained and flown by both Air National Guard and active duty airmen, a cooperative effort that is unique to Hawai'i. The C-17s will replace the guard's C-130s.
A new, high-tech satellite photography system, called Eagle Vision, will also be shared by the Air National Guard and the Air Force. The system can be used to track storm damage and drought information in the state. The military will use it to photograph key locations and and analyze the images in Hawai'i.
Coast Guard projects, said Rear Adm. Charles Wurster, include upgrading emergency maritime communications with a microwave system that will fill in the gaps between VHF and FM systems now in use.
The possibility of an aircraft carrier being stationed at Pearl Harbor is under study but a long way from assured, said Rear Adm. Jonathan Greenert of U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Maj. Gen. Bob Lee, state adjutant general, said homeland security efforts in Hawai'i have become the model for other states. Deploying entire units of National Guardsmen to Iraq and Afghanistan, instead of sending them individually to augment other units, has helped build morale, he said.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jerry McAbee said another 350 to 500 Marines from Hawai'i are likely to deploy to Iraq this year. He also spoke about increased environmental efforts by the Marines in Kane'ohe.
State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, whose district includes the controversial Makua training area, advised the military leaders that building a respectful rapport is essential when dealing with problems between the military and Native Hawaiians and environmentalists.
"Hawai'i is relational," she said. "All you need to do is listen. All you need to do is hear."
Reach Karen Blakeman at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2430.
