In The Military

Defense bill:
$387.1 million
for Hawaii

Star-Bulletin staff

Defense spending will bring $387.1 million to Hawaii in fiscal 2000, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said.

The funds are in the Defense Appropriations Bill, which now awaits President Clinton's signature.

"I am especially pleased that this bill funds projects that will lead to the commercialization of technologies initially developed for the military, and provide economic opportunities for the people of Hawaii," Inouye said.

The Hawaii senator helped secure funding that would bring:

$66.8 million to Maui for space-related activity, missile defense and supercomputer research.
$47.15 million to Kauai to upgrade Pacific Missile Range Facility projects.
$36 million to the Hawaii National Guard for purchase of four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.
$35 million for Kahoolawe cleanup.
$35 million to Tripler Hospital to continue telemedicine, teleradiology and other activities.
$30 million to Pearl Harbor for maintenance and apprenticeship programs.
Nearly $140 million for a host of initiatives that include antisubmarine warfare, oceanography, Ford Island development, anti-drug programs, brown tree snake control and other activities.

New Army chief offers 'persuasive' slogan

"The Army -- Persuasive in Peace, Invincible in War," is the slogan choice of new Army chief Gen. Eric Shinseki, replacing "Soldiers Are Our Credentials."

The old slogan was the choice of former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dennis Reimer.

Warships, copter unit recognized for Iraq roles

Three Pearl Harbor-based warships and a Kaneohe helicopter detachment have been recognized for their roles in the Tomahawk missile strikes against Iraq during Operation Desert Fox last December.

The destroyers USS Fletcher, USS Hopper and USS Paul Hamilton and a detachment from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) 37 received the nation's third-highest unit award -- a Navy Unit Commendation.

They were part of the Fifth Fleet Battle Group that launched the missiles Dec. 16-20, 1998, against targets in Iraq.

Col. Triche now 15th Medical Group's leader

Col. Gary Triche is the 15th Medical Group's new commander. The group's mission is to prepare U.S. military members to meet the requirements of operations other than war.