As part of my PACOM series (other posts here and here), I'd like to introduce you to Major Paul Young, of the Canadian Air Force. That's right folks, there's a Canuck on Oahu, and he isn't just there to golf.

He stands apart from his American counterparts, with his darker green digitized uniform (apparently the basis for much teasing from his paler-green desk mates), soft-featured, friendly face and spectacles. Originally from the Maritimes, Major Young had been based in Winnipeg for the longest time before becoming part of the exchange program, moving his family to Oahu (there are worse postings to have to convince your wife of, I'm sure). There are currently 12 Canadians in various parts of the US Military machine (Canada offers just one spot for an American - currently vacant).

The exchange gives our Canadian soldiers an opportunity to work with bigger machines, better toys, and - in the case of Major Young, who works in Logistics - larger amounts of money and personnel. When I asked him, not totally understanding his role there, what he worked on, he said "American things. I work for the US Military. I don't sit at that desk working on anything Canadian." It's actually a very strange working relationship, since he will sit in his little cubicle, next to the Americans; together they will discuss various problems and solutions throughout the day, yet he is restricted from accessing certain areas of the very computer programs and databases he's meant to be working on. He is, after all, a foreign national.

Unfortunately I was only able to spend a few minutes with Major Young, but I could see he was happy with his role at PACOM. When I spoke with LTC Upson, who works with Major Young, he had only good things to say. Major Young is a well liked and respected colleague - one of their own.

Labels: Canadiana, Hawaii, Military, PACOM

Every year, thousands flock to Oahu to bask on Waikiki Beach, surf at Sunset Beach, or golf at Turtle Bay. When the tourists think of the military there, they think of Pearl Harbor as something in the past - a headline, a movie, a call to arms - not as a fully functioning military installation that still operates today (for example, when the USS Ronald Reagan was docked there just a few weeks ago).

Oahu is covered with military. It seemed to me that I was never more than 50 yards from the nearest serviceman. There is the obvious female reaction to all that camo, but there is something more: a sense of security. I knew that I could walk to my accommodation at any hour and not have to look over my shoulder. I knew that no matter how lost I got (yes, I can get lost on an island - I'm talented that way), there would be someone with patience and knowledge to get me out of the bind. This was evidenced one morning when I took a wrong turn and found myself heading for Hickam Air Force Base. I knew I wouldn't be able to enter - you have to have military ID for that. But the sentries posted at the entrance are incredibly helpful and friendly. It must happen often enough, since they have a built in u-turn spot to make the exit easier!

One evening I was meeting a friend at his installation, and I arrived a few minutes early. Again, I knew I wouldn't be able to gain entry to the parking lot. So I just idled the car on the side of the road and stepped out to stretch my legs. A moment later a colonel in a sporty little red car pulled up to see if I was having car trouble. I can't remember the last time a civilian (not counting a truck driver) stopped to see if I needed assistance.

And while we're on the subject of car trouble, I was lucky enough to meet my new favorite person in Hawaii: Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Upson. When the LTC was in Iraq (he was a Major then), I was assigned as a Soldiers' Angel to the 82nd Airborne, which was his unit. I was to send all correspondence for the troops to him, and he would distribute at random. I would usually receive an email from him every month or so, and if I didn't hear from him, I'd drop him a line to check in. He was the only one in the unit I had contact with - the rest was done anonymously. He's been in Hawaii for a few months now, so of course I contacted him when I found out I was going over. And when I arrived at the gate of Camp Smith to check in with the PAO for PACOM, it was the LTC who greeted me. It was a great honor to meet him - one I will cherish always, though he said the honor was his. Having him meet me at the door was only the first surprise he had in store. After my various chats with the Public Affairs Coordinator (Maj. David Griesmer, USMC - more on that meeting later) and other staff, LTC Upson escorted me out and told me to go "suit up" for a formal occasion. Hmmmm... intriguing... How does this all lead to car trouble? I'm getting to that - bear with me! (Although I was also able to interview LTC Upson, I will post that at a later date. I'm trying to stay on topic here!)

He picked me up a couple of hours later to escort me to the kickoff of Military Appreciation Month - a rather swanky "do" on Ford Island at the new Pacific Aviation Museum. The event was hosted by a series of local and corporate sponsors, and attended by Admiral Keating, the man who runs the show at PACOM. This was the LTC's way of saying thanks for all I had done, even though I felt I could never do enough.






Anyway, to the car trouble.... after wining and dining on the catering of some of the finest restaurants on Oahu, and listening to the USMC Jazz Trio (they were awesome!), it was time to call it a night. We walked back to the car, only to find a dead battery. LTC Upson was terribly embarrassed, all dressed in his A's, with a dead car. A fine pair we made soliciting through the crowd to see if anyone had jumper cables! Sure enough, we found a table of young kids - Army - so young I wondered if they should have had those beers in their hands. One of them suggested popping the clutch on a rolling start. What a spectacle! Four or five of them, plus the LTC, pushing the car while another sat in the driver's seat getting ready to start her (a success!). Me on the sidelines, holding somebody's beer and laughing at the sight, especially when an equally young bunch of Marines walked by and stopped to stare. To me it was one of the high points of the evening, though LTC Upson will probably send me a tersely worded email just for writing about it!

Perhaps it's because I'm Canadian and we tend not to be very outgoing and helpful. Maybe it's an "American thing". Or maybe it truly is that having that many overgrown Boy Scouts in one place means you are never alone, and never without help when you need it. For that reason alone - not the beaches or the palm trees or even the pink-hued sunsets - did I feel at home on Oahu. And it is for that reason I would someday return there.

Labels: Hawaii, Military, PACOM, Soldiers Angels, Travel

With all eyes fixed on the Middle East, it is easy to forget that Pacific Command is responsible for 51% of the world, including India and the hotly disputed area of Kashmir. Detractors snort and call America the world's police (or worse) but the image it brings to mind is fairly accurate. Through the Indonesian tsunami to the mudslides in Leyte, PACOM has been there to offer assistance, provide clean water and medical care, bury the dead and help rebuild.

It's no secret that America possesses the world's largest and strongest military, but many may not realize that there is so much more to it than "killing people and breaking things". Throughout Asia-Pacific they work day after day alongside the governments and militaries of countries with burgeoning economies, tribal strife, religious warfare and dictatorial regimes. Like a friend and teacher, they are there to bring these countries and territories out of their dark struggles and into a prosperous future.

Over the next couple of days I will tell you a little bit more about PACOM and my visit there. I feel the need to break it down into individual pieces (it must be a blogger thing - we have short attention spans and think you must, too).

Labels: Hawaii, PACOM

And a sunburn, which is astonishing, since I think we were only out of the car for about 45 non-consecutive minutes yesterday. My Charming Host(tm) took me on a whirlwind tour of more military installations than you can shake a stick at. It's like traveling with the band to do it this way - all-access backstage pass. I felt like a celebrity. There are zillions of pictures to sort through, and I'll only give you a few here and there. And of course some places were camera-restricted, which I wasn't about to argue with. Especially since yesterday was my unofficial tour. The official one with Public Affairs will be later in the week.

(may I just say that there is a downside to the tropics? as I write this, there are ants crawling all over me. yuck. at least they're harmless. but the roaches... don't get me started on them!)

For the time being, here's some random pics. I'll sort through what I have and do more detailed posts later on.


This is Ray. We met at the hotel fountain. You can see how friendly he is by the way he's waving for the camera.


The enormous flag at Camp Smith, flying half-mast (as were all flags on government property) in honor of those killed at Virginia Tech. Isn't it beautiful? I'm told that at sunset it's truly breathtaking.


On the beach, smiling despite my bloody foot (I had just cut it about 2 minutes earlier).


The famous USS Missouri. I will be touring her - and the Arizona Memorial - on Friday. I just added this pic today because my husband will love it.

The Charming Host(tm) took me to "MarineLand" at Kaneohoe Bay, but the weather was just turning inclement, so there was no eye candy to be had. It appears they don't let the more attractive ones out in the rain. Perhaps they melt or something. Sorry ladies; I'll keep trying.

And the day ended with some fabulous take-out Huli Huli chicken from Waimea.

Photos of the gorgeous Pali lookout and Pali National Park are up at Absinthe & Cookies, where I'm guest blogging this week.

Labels: Blogging, Hawaii, PACOM, Travel

I have a rather early flight tomorrow. In case you hadn't heard, I'm off to Hawaii! Tomorrow, since I will be in transit for the WHOLE. DAMN. DAY., EM Zanotti and Kathy Shaidle may pop by to amuse and delight you. If you ask nice, EM may give you the Friday Random Ten. Or make you waffles.

Labels: Blogging, PACOM, Travel

Legendary crooner Don Ho, who entertained tourists for decades wearing raspberry-tinted sunglasses and singing the catchy signature tune Tiny Bubbles, has died. He was 76.

Aw, man! I feel ripped off.

In the meantime, torture yourselves with this....

Labels: Don Ho, Hawaii, PACOM, Travel

I can't wait. Ten days from now I'll be settled into my hotel and sipping a Mai Tai, staring out to sea. Ten days is going to feel like a lifetime.

Labels: Military, PACOM, Travel

For your blog-reading pleasure (and because there's no damn way I'm passing up this opportunity), RightGirl is heading off to the sunny beaches of Oahu in 28 1/2 days. How does this benefit you? Well, I'll be somewhat of a guest of the military establishment on the Island, including a very special tour of Camp Smith.

You see, for the past five years, all eyes have been on the Middle East in the War on Terror. How many of you are aware of the work that PACOM (Pacific Command) have been doing in places like the Philippines? How many of you are aware that we are facing an Islamic threat from there just as much as we are from the desert? And that the joint staff of PACOM are regularly sent to the Pacific Rim to clear out and rebuild areas? These guys should not be forgotten while - just like the Muslims are wanting - we're facing East.

You may ask "How did RightGirl get such a plum assignment?" The answer is simple: I'm RightGirl. I believe that if you don't ask, you don't get, and that a little chutzpah goes a long way. So I made arrangements with some very dear military friends of mine to fly out there. They said if I was willing to fly 5000 miles by myself just to talk about the Pacific Rim WoT (and get a tan), they'd take care of all the arrangements on the ground. So for the bargain price (well, sorta) of a plane ticket, I'm getting a week in Hawaii. Some days being me isn't all bad.

Labels: Blogging, PACOM, Travel, War on Terror