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In the Military Gregg K. Kakesako |
See also: For Your Benefit
North Korea decries
Stryker training missionThe nation's newest military unit -- a platoon of 56 soldiers and six 19-ton fighting vehicles from the Stryker brigade combat team at Fort Lewis -- is now in South Korea for 10 days for its first overseas training.
The platoon belongs to the Stryker brigade combat team of Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 20 Infantry, of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, based in Fort Lewis, Washington, according to an U.S. Forces Korea news release. The training, which began Thursday, is being held at the range in Pocheon, northeast of Seoul. The soldiers and the new Stryker combat vehicles were flown into Osan Air Base Thursday in C-17 cargo jet.
North Korea reacted angrily to the arrival of Stryker troops, accusing the United States of sending "a scout party to ignite another war of aggression" against the communist state.
In Alaska, which will be home to one of the four new Stryker brigades, the Associated Press reported Thursday the city of Delta Junction filed a lawsuit claiming that the Army failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act when it issued a finding of no significant impact, saying it wanted the Army to do a more comprehensive environmental impact statement. The Army announced on June 27 a decision to go ahead with the $65 million training facility southeast of Delta Junction.
>>>><<<< An Aiea company has been awarded $15.5 million worth of demolition, construction and repair work contracts for two projects at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Healy Tibbitts Builders Inc. will receive $9.7 million to upgrade Bravo Pier at Pearl Harbor. It will be partially demolished before being rebuilt with a new reinforced concrete and drill shaft foundation and a new electrical utility system. The company will also get $5.8 million to repair Bulkhead K12 at the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center. Both projects are expected to be completed by November 2004, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said.
>>>><<<< The Navy reports that Ensign Vincent Lui, a 1998 graduate of Iolani School and a 2002 alumnus of University of Hawaii, has completed its nuclear power school at Goose Creek, S.C. He is now qualified to operate a nuclear powered submarine or aircraft carrier.
>>>><<<< At Fort Shafter, Maj. Gen. Craig B. Whelden will retire tomorrow as deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, capping 30 years of service. Brig. Gen. John D. Gardner, who was an assistant commander for the 25th Infantry Division from July 2001 to August 2002, will become the commanding general of U. S. Army South at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. He is now deputy commanding general for transformation of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Lewis.
Moving Up
Pearl Harbor>> Cmdr. Kenneth R. Sault has become the skipper of the USS Key West, relieving Cmdr. Charles K. Merkel, Jr.
Wheeler
>> Col. Thomas A. Harvey has assumed command of the 599th Transportation Group, Military Traffic Management Command, relieving Col. Peter J. Gitto.
Wahiawa
>> Navy Capt. Mary McLendon has assumed command of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific, relieving Capt. Laura Marlowe.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other
sources by reporter Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for
the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He can be reached can be reached by phone
at 294-4075 or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.
