At Your Service
For and about Hawaii's militaryBy Gregg K. Kakesako
Sunday, November 18, 2001
See also: For Your Benefit
The number of Navy reservists called to active duty for the war on terrorism is expected to double, to more than 14,400, by the end of the month, the Pentagon reports. 14,400 Navy reservists
called to dutyBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comThe much higher number is due to requirements that are coming from fleet commanders. The Navy so far has called up 7,835, mostly individuals with needed skills in security, law enforcement, health care and intelligence.
The next wave of call-ups will include more units and likely will focus on reservists with force protection and security skills, including port security units and SeaBees who can build protective structures.
The U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Bremerton docked at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka located in Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo last week, making it the first Los Angeles-class attack sub to make a port visit since Sept. 21.
The Bremerton was believed to have come from Okinawa and stopped at Yokosuka to take on supplies.
The Navy has broken ground on a new $18.9 million 150-room Navy lodge on Ford Island which will be built over the next two years. It will be the first Navy lodge facility in Hawaii.
The lodge will reuse one of the island's historic buildings which was designed by architect C.W. Dickey and was constructed in 1941. It was used as a bachelor officers' quarters until 1984.
The building, which is part of the Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark, was featured in the 1970 film "Tora! Tora! Tora!" The Deco-style architecture in building 78 is noted for its broad lanais, interior courtyards, and wide, projecting eaves that allowed residents to leave their windows open, even during rain showers.
The new Navy Lodge will be restored to its 1940s-era historical character.
Amenities will include a large swimming pool, a children's playground, and a landscaped courtyard. Each room will feature cable TV, a video-cassette player, a direct-dial telephone service and a kitchenette complete with microwave and utensils.
Military mail destined overseas will get through, but it may be delayed, says Navy Capt. Eugene DuCom, deputy commander of the Military Postal Service Agency. New security restrictions have slowed deliveries. Packages, for example, could not be placed aboard passenger airlines. Those restrictions have since been relaxed.
The recent anthrax mail attacks in the United States will also slow deliveries. Military postal workers, for example, have masks and rubber gloves available to them as they sort mail.
Pearl Harbor has been awarded a $6.5 million contract for hull-cleaning work which will be done by its diving and salvage operations.
Moving Up
Makalapa: Navy Rear Adm. Donna L. Crisp has been named as deputy chief of staff for shore base management for the Pacific Fleet. She is currently serving as executive assistant and deputy commander in chief for the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Gregg K. Kakesako can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.
