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In the Military
Gregg K. Kakesako
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Military gets car weight tax exemption
Military members, including those belonging to the National Guard, Coast Guard and other reserve units, are eligible under a new law to have one of their cars exempt from state and county vehicle weight taxes. Military members can apply for weight tax exemptions beginning in October. Required forms will be available from their units.
Only nonresident service members assigned to a unit based in Hawaii currently are exempt from vehicle taxes under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2004. Hawaii residents belonging to the National Guard, reserves or Coast Guard are not covered by the exemption.
The Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile frigates USS Crommelin and USS Reuben James and the destroyer USS O'Kane returned from a Western Pacific deployment on June 8. The O'Kane is commanded by Cmdr. Tom Druggan, and USS Reuben James by Cmdr. Joseph Naman. Cmdr. Patrick Huete was the skipper of the Crommelin until its return. The ships deployed April 18.
Shipyard workers at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility finished repairs to the nuclear submarine USS Key West one week early on June 16. It was second time Pearl Harbor completed work on a sub ahead of schedule; repairs to the submarine USS City of Corpus Christi finished six days early in December 2006.
"Key West was the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force's No. 1 priority, and the project team delivered her ahead of schedule, providing additional mission-critical days to the fleet," said Capt. Gregory Thomas, shipyard commander. "This is a very significant victory for us."
"According to Lt. Cmdr. Greg Rose, project superintendent, the work package was about 50,000 man-days, 30 percent larger than a typical repair job and with more than the usual amount of valve and tank work.
MOVING UP
Kaneohe Bay
» Cmdr. Michael "Jake" Johnansson has assumed command of Patrol Squadron 4.
Pearl Harbor
» Cmdr. Kevin Parker assumed command of USS Crommelin on June 9, relieving Cmdr. Patrick Huete.
» Cmdr. Darren Anding has assumed command of Navy Operational Support Center, relieving Cmdr. Philip Davis.
Sand Island
» Capt. Robert J. Tarantino has assumed command of the Coast Guard cutter Rush, relieving Capt. Peter J. Bergeron, whose next assignment is Coast Guard Sector Boston, where he will serve as the sector's response commander.
Kalaeloa
» Maj. Keith Yoshida has assumed command of the 29th Brigade Combat Teams' Support Battalion, relieving Lt. Col. David "Duke" Kahanu Jr.
» Lt. Col. Robert Lesher has assumed command of the 29th Birgade Combat Team's 1st Battalion, 487th Infantry, relieving Lt. Col. Lionel Payes.
Hickam Air Force Base
» Maj. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington, director, operations, plans, requirements and programs at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, has been promoted to lieutenant general with assignment as deputy commander, U.N. Command, Korea; deputy commander, U.S. Forces Korea; commander, Air Component Command, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command; and commander, 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, at Osan Air Base.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other sources by reporter
Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin. He can be reached by phone at 294-4075 or by e-mail at
gkakesako@starbulletin.com.