For your information.
Marine Corps Air Facility and Marine Corps Base Hawaii will host a
Re-designation Ceremony today at 2 p.m. Marine Corps Air Facility will be
renamed to Marine Corps Air Station.
V.R.
Sgt. Macario Mora
Media Chief
MCB Hawaii
808-257-8838

MCAF Re-designation and Commemorative Naming Ceremony

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Oahu - Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay and
Marine Corps Base Hawaii will co-host a renaming ceremony today, May 22, at
2 p.m. in Hangar 105. The Commandant of the Marine Corps has approved the
requests to re-designate Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay as a Marine
Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay and to commemoratively name the air field in
honor of retired Marine Maj. Gen. Marion E. Carl, deceased.
The renaming comes as the air facility is expected to expand to
accommodate additional squadrons in the future as the Marine Corps expands
its aviations assets in order to meet operational requirements.
“Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay has become a strategic training and
logistics hub that supports the deployment of forces to OIF and OEF, and
also supports DoD, Allied and Federal inter-agency requirements,” said Lt.
Col. Michael Antonio, commanding officer, Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe
Bay.
Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay has conducted more than 70,000
flights hours annually since 1999, which is already comparable to other
Marine Corps air stations. Between 2007 and 2008, MCAF transported roughly
six million pounds of cargo, transported 9,000 passengers and provided
services for 1,075 transient aircraft. There are roughly 4,000 Marines and
Sailors who work at MCAF.
“The redesignation of our Marine Corps Air Facility as a Marine
Corps Air Station is a well-deserved and overdue change that accurately
reflects the significant amount of operations and air traffic the airfield
supports on a daily basis.  It’s also testament to the incredible work the
MCAS and MCB Hawaii Marines, Sailors, and civilian Marines perform on a
routine basis in
support of our warfighters and their families,” said Lt. Col. Glen Butler,
deputy commander, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
The facility will become the ninth MCAS in the Marine Corps. The air
facility was initially designated a Naval Air Station from 1939 to 1949. It
was decommissioned until 1952 when it was re-commissioned as a MCAS. It was
re-designated as a MCAF in 1994.
Carl, the first air “ace” to down 10 enemy aircraft during the battle for
Guadalcanal in 1942, was twice awarded the Navy Cross. As a section leader
in a Marine fighter squadron during the Battle of Midway, he earned the Navy
Cross while leading an attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese
bomber and fighter planes. Later, in the fight for Guadalcanal, he earned a
second Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in aerial combat as a pilot in
VMF-223 on Aug. 26, 1942.
“Similarly, it is fitting that on the 97th birthday of Marine Corps
Aviation, we are also able to honor a true Marine hero and great American by
commemoratively naming the airfield as Major General Marion E. Carl Field,”
Butler said. “Maj. Gen. Carl’s wartime heroism, test pilot records, and
lifetime achievements–not only as a Marine, but as a father, husband, and
citizen–stand as inspiration for all of us today.” 
“I hope that honoring Maj .Gen. Carl in this fashion also serves as a worthy
reminder of the sacrifices our service members continue to make in defense
of freedom and liberty across the globe, particularly this Memorial Day
weekend as we remember those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Butler
said.
He finished World War II with 18 enemy kills. Carl’s exploits in the Pacific
will be remembered and honored at the ceremony.
News media who wish to cover the arrival should notify the Media
Office prior to arrival, and be at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Main Gate
(H-3 Gate) no later than 1:30 p.m. today, May 22, for escort to the arrival
area. 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             MEDIA CONTACT:                                                                                                Caroline Witherspoon                                                                                                 Becker Communications, Inc.                                                                                                (808) 533-4165  HONOLULU NAVY LEAGUE AND GEICO PARTNER TO RECOGNIZE HAWAII SAILORS AND MARINES WHO DEPLOY ALONE *Inaugural IA Recognition Awards Luncheon to be Held on March 17, 2009* HONOLULU (REVISED 2/18) – Each year, hundreds of Hawaii-based Sailors and Marines are sent on assignment alone as Individual Augmentees (IAs) to Iraq, Horn of Africa, Afghanistan and Philippine Islands theaters of operations with little or no ceremony marking their deployments or returns.  Showing their appreciation to IAs and their spouses, the Honolulu Navy League and title sponsor GEICO will host the inaugural IA Recognition Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at the Hickam Air Force Base Officers Club. Many times, with very little notice, IAs are asked to head to unknown territories, face unknown enemies and spend over a year away from their homes and families.  “Because IAs are deployed individually, they often leave and return with little fanfare,” said Don Morrison, Honolulu Navy League president.  “The Navy League recognition program is an opportunity to celebrate their return and show appreciation to the IAs and their spouses and families for their service.” Held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the IA Recognition Awards Luncheon will feature keynote speaker Admiral Robert F. Willard, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  In addition, all IAs at the luncheon will receive a commemorative certificate and special IA “Boots on the Ground” coin presented by the Honolulu Navy League and GEICO. “As part of our commitment to giving back to Hawaii, GEICO is pleased to partner with the Honolulu Navy League on this inaugural luncheon thanking Hawaii’s IAs for a job well done,” said Ron Addington, Regional Event Marketing Coordinator for GEICO Hawaii. Tickets to the IA Recognition Awards Luncheon are $30 per person and reservations are required. For more information, please call (808) 422-9404.  The Navy League of the United States, Honolulu Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating citizens and elected officials about naval matters and the importance of sea power to the general peace and well-being of our Nation, and the importance of this on their way of life. The Navy League supports all members of the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and their families.  Our goal is to generate sufficient funding to enable us to continue support of our mission’s youth programs including the Navy Sea Cadet Corps., NJROTC, support services to families of deployed personnel, scholarships for military spouses, and recognition for our active service personnel.  For more information, visit www.HonoluluNavyLeague.org.   Title Event Sponsor GEICO, a longtime auto insurer in the Hawaii market, is proud to support patriotic Americans in uniform serving their country – particularly our Individual Augmentees. The men and women of GEICO are proud to be part of the Honolulu Navy League recognition of these outstanding citizens, and to be a Member of the Family of Navy League Sponsors. Through events like this, GEICO is letting civilians and military know about its “giving back” program that can reduce the average premium of auto insurance for vehicle owners in Hawaii. For more information about GEICO, visit www.geico.com. For an online rate quote that you can compare with your current premium, visit: http://www.geico.com/landingpage/go49.htm?soa.  # # #

NAVY LEAGUE GOLF, it is fun and it helps others.

In recent years, the Navy League’s golf program has not only continued to gain in public popularity, but has been a significant financial resource to help fund the many invaluable programs that support the men and women of our Sea Serices - Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine.  Programs such as Sea Cadets, Navy-Marine Relief, Enlisted Person of the Year, and Toys for Tots have been supported in the past by the profits from the Navy League’s golf program.  By year’s end, the program over the last five years would have raised approximately $100,000, as well as hundreds of toys for the Toys for Tots program.  Of course, all this would not have been possilbe without the many golfers who play in the tournaments; the generous sponsors who provide financial support; and the many volunteers who willingly give their time and effort to ensure a successful tournament.

We continually strive to make the golf program a success.  We encourage golfers to participate in our tournaments as we play on military golf courses, which are not readily available to the general public.  We are constantly looking for sponsors that will enable us to provide the financial support for the Navy League’s programs.  Lastly, we encourage individuals to volunteer their time to help make these tournaments such an enjoyable experience for the golfers.

The next golf tournament is the 5th Annual Golf Tournament which will be held on Friday, August 22nd at the Klipper Golf Course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii-Kaneohe.  For those that have never played the course, it has probably the most spectacular hole on any military golf course.  For those that have played the course, you know it as Hole #13, which is along the ocean.  This major tournament will include lunch, buffet dinner, on-course refreshments, and many, many prizes.  ADM Thomas B. Fargo, USN (ret.) has graciously consented to be our Honorary Chairperson.  If you would like to be involved, please contact the Navy League’s office at 422-9404.

The men and women who serve in our Sea Services and their families deserve our support and to know we appreciate their sacrifices.  To the many golfers, gracious sponsors, and wonderful volunteers, a special MAHALO!  The Honolulu Council of the Navy League asks for your continued support so we can help those that serve our great nation.

Melvin H. W. Ing

Which Honolulu military base, company, organization, place or people fit these clues?

1. Benjamin Franklin Dillingham built Hawaii’s first planned community here in 1890 as a stop for his train.  Unitl World War II, it was a weekend and summer retreat for Oahu’s wealthy.  Name it.
2. What did Hawaiians call Pearl Harbor?  What did Hawaii get from the U.S. in exchange for Pearl Harbor?  Who cam to Hawaii to see if Pearl Harbor would make a good naval base?
3. Who was the first man to predict the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor in 1923?  How would they do it without aircraft carriers?
4. Which Italian naval battle was the model for the attack on Pearl Harbor?
5. Experts say Japan made a fatal miscalculation in its attach on Pearl Harbor.  What was it?
6. The effort to raise money to build the Arizona Memorial was floundering in 1961.  A singer offered to perform a benefit concert, and it raised th $64,000 needed to complete the project.  Who was he?
7. In 1880, King Kalakaua traveled to Japan and offered his neice’s hand in marriage to Crown Prince Taiso.  What was her name?
8. Which Asian war made the United States realize Hawaii’s strategically important location, and led to our annexation?
9. This high school’s mascot honors the B-26 airplanes and the military personnel that once flew over the campus during WWII.
10. A major landmark was once named for a Navy man who flew a seaplane 2,200 miles to Hawaii, but ran out of fuel 300 miles away in 1925.  His crew made sails from the seaplane’s fabric-covered wings and sailed it the rest of the way here.
11. During World War II, tourism to Hawaii stopped, and the Navy took over the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for R&R.  Before they arrived, the staff sealed up an important part of the hotel.  After the war, they returned to learn that the Navy personnel had never discovered it.  What were they so interested in hiding?
12. Was Tripler painted pink on purpose?  Who was Tripler named for?  What was its original name and location?
13. Which Army base was built to protect Pearl Harbor from an overland attack?
14. This Army Division was the first ever be given permission to use a nickname, in addition to its regular numerical designation.  The nickname symbolizes the speed and aggressive spirit of the Division and that they fought fought on Guadalcanal and the Soloman Islands.  Name it.
15. The first fort in Hawaii was built on the Honolulu waterfront in 1815 by sailors from this nation.  Fort Street took its name from the fort.  Which nation built it?
16. Fort Shafter has been home to the senior Army headquarters in Hawaii for over a century.  Who was Shafter and what did he do?  What is Fort Shafter’s nickname?
17. Which famous officers club was once on the slopes of Diamond Head?
18. In 1958, the Department of Defense tested anti-ballistic nuclear weapons at Johnston Island.  What was unusual about those tests?

These are the questions that were asked at our recent Navy League event.  If you would like to participate in our Navy League events, please contact us for more information. 

You could also go out and purchase Bob Sigall’s books, The Companies We Keep, and the second book, The Companies We Keep 2.

Dear Navy League Members & Supporters,

Aloha and good evening!

First, I would like to thank our wonderful sponsors who have made this evening possible. Thanks to their generosity, we are able to put on a first class event that honors two very special people. In addition, the proceeds from this event will go toward our educational programs supporting our nations’ Sea Services. These include but are not limited to, the Navy League Sea Cadet Corps, ship commissionings such as the USS Chung-Hoon and the USS Hawaii, programs to assist sailors and their dependents, service member morale, recreation, and welfare, community outreach, the various NJROTC programs, war memorials/commemorations, and many, many other worthy causes. We can do this because of you, our sponsors. 

Secondly, I’d like to thank our Committee, led by Shirleyanne Chew, who worked tirelessly to ensure that our honorees are given the appropriate tribute this evening. They wanted to ensue that Tom Fargo and Elaine Ota were given ample recognition for their respective lifetimes of service to our great country. As the night unfolds, you will here much more about these two remarkable individuals. 

In closing, I want to again say mahalo to all who have contributed to this great event. I wish to also offer my personal congratulations to this years American Patriot Honoree’s, Admiral Tom Fargo USN (Ret.) and Mrs. Elaine Ota. 

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Jack Flanagan
President
US Navy League, Honolulu Council