Photo By Maj. Michael O'Hagan | Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, gives a thumbs up as...... read more read more
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WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. – The National Guard’s top officer, Army General Daniel Hokanson, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, spent Saturday, Nov. 5, at Gabreski Air National Guard Base with Airmen of the 106th Rescue Wing.
Hokanson flew on board an HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter to observe multiple rescue scenarios, had lunch with some Airmen, and held a town hall meeting with all of the wing’s councils that represent the different tiers of rank from Airman to Chief during his visit.
106th Senior noncommissioned officer of the quarter, Master Sgt. Kenny Griego, got to fly with Hokanson in his role as a special mission aviator, performing such duties as flight engineer and aerial gunner.
“It’s not every day you get to fly with the highest ranking person in your organization. The general was very interested in us and our mission,” said Griego.
Tech Sgt. Carley Esposito, a client systems technician for the wing’s communications flight, said she was pleased to get the opportunity to have lunch with the general along with five other Airmen.
“It was nice to see, on a personal level. that the general wanted to know more about us outside of what we do in uniform. It was nice to know he really cared on that level,” Esposito said.
Speaking to Airmen gathered at the town hall discussion later in the day, Hokanson said, “The best thing I do is right now, is I get to see our Airmen and our Soldiers who work in the Guard.”
“I’m the guy that gets to tell your story in the Pentagon and it is an amazing story to tell. For me to get a chance to go out today with everybody and see all the work that you guys do is really incredible,” Hokanson said.
Hokanson praised the 106th Airmen for the training they’ve done with the Brazilian military by participating in Brazil’s Exercise Tapio in 2021 and 2022.
This was the largest U.S. military engagement with Brazil since World War II, according to exercise officials.
The wing participated as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, which pairs state Guard forces with other nation’s militaries.
These training exercises are strategically important for the United States, Hokanson said.
Hokanson’s wife, Kelly Hokanson, met with wing members and spouses to discuss health care, mental health and child care issues that affect Guard families.
A key issue for her husband, Mrs. Hokanson said, is to ensure that Guard Soldiers and Airmen and their families get the same access to health care that active-duty military people do.
“Anyone on active duty has health coverage,” she said. “But some of our force do not have health coverage.”
“We were honored to host General Hokanson and his wife, and proud to have them meet the talented Airmen that complete the mission,” said Col. Shawn Fitzgerald, the commander of the 106th Rescue Wing.
“Mrs. Hokanson was also able to meet with several of our volunteer key spouses, and other community stake holders, who have continually showed their support for our Wing,” he added.
Hokanson flew a training mission on board an HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter, which demonstrated a range of 106th Rescue Wing capabilities.
The demonstration included a parachute jump, a water rescue, aerial refueling an HH-60G from a HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue airplane, and a land rescue involving high mobility tactical vehicles operated by pararescuemen.
“It was great to get to showcase the recovery of two ‘survivors’, aerial gunnery, aerial refueling, daytime water rescue, and land rescue,” Greco said.
Wing leaders briefed Hokanson about the benefits that modernizing the wing’s equipment with the HH-60W version of the Pave Hawk helicopter would bring.
The newer version of the search and rescue helicopter has greater fuel capacity for longer range, better hovering capability, more advanced survivability and defense systems, better communications, higher resolution sensors, and upgraded ballistic protection.
The older HH-60G does not have these capabilities.
Hokanson presented his Chief of the National Guard Bureau coin to outstanding performers from the 106th maintenance group for the work they do to keep the wing combat-ready to bring the fight tonight.
These Airmen were instrumental in the wing flying 103% of their assigned flying hours for the year.
“One thing I try and remind people is the primary mission of the National Guard is to fight and win our nation’s wars,” said Hokanson. “Because we are prepared for that, we can do just about anything our country asks us to do.”
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2022 14:52 |
| Story ID: | 432907 |
| Location: | WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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