Felix Smith flew the “Hump” over the Himalayas during World War II, hooked up with the leader of the famed Flying Tigers in postwar China and for many years piloted aircraft for what would become CIA-run Air America in China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam and Laos — getting shot at pretty regularly in the process. Read more
A Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 cargo aircraft flew from Hickam Field to Kalaeloa Airport on Thursday to pick up simulated wounded troops who had been transported from a notional battlefield by an Army Black Hawk helicopter. Read more
The remains of at least 22 Marines killed in the bloody 1943 Battle of Tarawa — a costly lesson in amphibious attack — were returned to American soil Wednesday night and honored in a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Read more
Twelve new synthetic straps are anchoring the USS Arizona Memorial’s boat landing dock in place, and a contractor has 30 days to adjust the tension, leaving the National Park Service optimistic that the reopening of the iconic memorial to walk-on traffic is getting closer. Read more
Honolulu police said Tuesday they now believe someone is responsible for the death of a 7-month-old girl Feb. 24 at a home day care at Aliamanu Military Reservation. Read more
The case is still being investigated and no arrests have been made, HPD said. Read more
A more than $2.1 million project to restore walk-on access to the USS Arizona Memorial is getting closer to completion, with a 105-foot floating concrete dock repositioned next to the memorial and a new anchoring system in place beneath it. Read more
In one of the first large military drone crashes in Hawaii, an Army RQ-7B Shadow aircraft out of Wheeler Army Airfield went down in the mountains behind the base Wednesday afternoon, causing a brush fire, the 25th Infantry Division said. Read more
A joint venture between Japan’s SoftBank and unmanned aircraft systems developer AeroVironment plans to test-fly a 260-foot-long solar-powered flying wing on Lanai that one day could be part of a network of drones loitering in the stratosphere providing 5G cellphone coverage. Read more
The Sea-Based X-Band Radar recently did yeoman duty in the Pacific watching for North Korean missiles and participating in testing as the Pentagon develops a web of new land-based radars and space-based sensors that are expected to make the seagoing vessel less necessary. Read more
The Marine Corps is making good on a 2011 promise to send 2,500 Marines annually to Australia as part of a strengthened alliance in the face of Chinese expansionism, with over 1,000 Marines and 17 aircraft from Hawaii in the mix. Read more
Tamura’s Market in Kalaeloa was mostly without electricity and closed for the past nine days following thunderstorms and rain June 25, with a manager saying he’s “well into the six figures of losses” in revenue and perishable foods. Read more
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’s attempt to give the federal government responsibility for alerting the public of a missile threat was passed by the U.S. Senate as part of a $750 billion National Defense Authorization Act for 2020 that focuses on evolving threats from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Read more
An Army Pride Month panel discussion on the 50th anniversary of the key gay rights stand it commemorates noted the inclusivity gains made in the ranks over the past decade but failed to mention the more recent transgender ban sought by President Donald Trump. Read more
The Medical Examiner’s office plans to release the identities of the four remaining victims once they have been confirmed. Read more
A teen who fatally stabbed a Kaneohe Bay Marine during an attack by 15 youths in the early morning hours of Oct. 21, 2017, in Waikiki pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter Friday and will serve no more than 20 years in prison. Read more
The commander of Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay was relieved of command following an investigation into an April “liberty incident,” the Marine Corps said Thursday. Read more
A 22-year-old Hawaii Marine remains in custody in the brig on Ford Island after he was stopped at Offutt Air Force Base in his home state of Nebraska trying to bring in two semi-automatic rifles, a pistol, a silencer, body armor and ammunition, according to officials and news reports. Read more
On Saturday in Bath, Maine, Irene Hirano Inouye will shatter a bottle of champagne across the bow of a new $1.5 billion destroyer while stating, “I christen thee United States ship Daniel Inouye.” Read more
Jim Taylor served 33 years on active duty in the Navy, retiring in 1989 as command master chief of the “Blue Geese” of Patrol Squadron 22 at Naval Air Station Barbers Point. Read more
Punchbowl cemetery was awash in more than 35,000 small and large American flags Monday as Memorial Day and the sacrifices made by American service members across the decades were observed amid a series of auspicious anniversaries coming closely together. Read more
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