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In the Military Gregg K. Kakesako |
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Isle general leads
Afghan relief force
In March, the 2,000-member Southern European Task Force headed by Brig. Gen. Jason Kamiya is slated to take control of the area now under control of the 25th Infantry Division in Afghanistan. This will be part of the first rotation of soldiers from Europe since the war began nearly three years ago.
In Afghanistan are seven infantry battalions, including three from the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, one battalion of Marines, and one battalion from the Virginia Army National Guard. Kamiya, a 1972 Saint Louis School graduate, commanded the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk for nearly three years before moving to Italy in April to take over the Southern European Task Force.
The Pacific Army Reserve's 411th Combat Engineer Battalion is one of four Army engineering units in Baghdad working on a $1 million project to renovate a 2-mile stretch of street and park that follows the Tigris River -- Abu Nabas Street, named after a ninth century Persian poet.
The Washington Post last week reported that the capital's central park along the river was closed by Saddam Hussein because the dictator believed it was a security risk to his palace located across the river. The street was once lined with fish restaurants and nightclubs.
The Hawaii soldiers of the 411th left Hawaii in March and are assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial will offer free admission throughout September to all active duty, reserve and retired Air Force personnel in honor of the Air Force's 57th birthday. Their immediate families will receive a 50 percent discount on admission and 10 percent off retail purchases. The Air Force became a separate service on Sept. 18, 1947.
The Family Support Group for the Army Reserve's 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, are selling "support our troops" black T-shirts to pay for activities geared to help soldiers bound for Iraq in February. The shirts are $12 each, not including shipping or handling. Call Laura Balon-Keleti at 847-7408 for more information and to order.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Hugh F. O'Reilly, who is credited with creating and maintaining a more than 50-year relationship between the Wolfhound regiment at Schofield Barracks and the children of the Holy Family Orphanage in Osaka, celebrated his 90th birthday on Friday. Members of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds) and their families attended the celebration.
The 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, is part of the 25th Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Iraq. The 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, is part of the Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan.
Moving up
>> Pearl Harbor: Capt. Stephen J. Olson has assumed command of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Pacific, which oversees accounting to more than 100 major activities and finance to more than 700 units in the Pacific Command. Prior to taking command of DFAS-PC, he served as the commanding officer of the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center.
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.