Ho'okele - April 20, 2018 (Pearl Harbor-Hickam Newspaper)

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What’s INSIDE April 20, 2018

www.issuu.com/navyregionhawaii www.hookelenews.com

Volume 9 Issue 15

Happy Birthday Air Force Reserve! See page A-4

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake (WPB 87316) surveys Nawiliwili Harbor as they arrive to the Island of Kauai, April 15. Photos by Lt. j.g. Brandon Newman

Meet Tish Rabe See page B-4 Earth Day Expo See page B-5

Kauai relief

See page A-2

WELCOME HOME MICHAEL MURPHY Carl Vinson Strike Group Public Affairs

USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) returned to Pearl Harbor, April 18, after a three-month deployment to the western Pacific with the Carl Vinson Strike Group. During the deployment, the strike group conducted routine operations in the Indo-Pacifi c that helped maintain security and stability in the region. Michael Murphy also completed a joint Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) patrol with the U.S. Coast Guard. “The crew demonstrated outstanding readiness, watchstanding and navigational skill,” said Rear Adm. John Fuller, the strike group commander. “I am very pleased with what we accomplished as a team.” The strike group’s deployment marks the second time it successfully operated in the Indo-Pacific region under U.S. 3rd Fleet’s command and control. U.S. 3rd Fleet’s control of ships and aircraft across the western Pacific and beyond the international dateline to India enables U.S. 3rd

Operations Specialist 1st Class Michael Grimstead, receives the first hug during the homecoming celebration of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), April 18. Photo by MC3 Jessica O. Blackwell

and 7th Fleets to operate together across a broad spectrum of maritime missions in the region. “I am proud to say that the crew performed su-

perbly across all mission areas as well as being tremendous ambassadors afloat and ashore for the United States throughout our deploy-

ment,” said Cmdr. Kevin T. Louis, the ship’s commanding officer. Michael Murphy’s crew of 350 Sailors conducted training with the French

navy and visited the Philippines and Guam. The ship also hosted officials from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia for a tour and

sent 35 crew members ashore to play softball with local residents. “This was my first deployment,” said Operations Specialist Seaman Laura Sanford. “The hardest part for me was managing my time between work and studying for various qualifications, and being away from home. I was able to accomplish all my goals while gaining new experiences along the way that I will be able to share with friends and family.” Personnel aboard the destroyer included an embarked detachment from the “Easyriders” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, which safely completed 400 flight hours. “I am extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication demonstrated by this fantastic crew during deployment,” Louis said . “We have a motto on board that no matter what the ship is tasked to do, we ‘Lead the Fight,’ meaning that no matter how challenging or arduous the task, we will push through and complete it successfully in memory of the fighting spirit of our namesake.”

Joint Base, HECO break ground on solar project Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam Public Affairs

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) broke ground April 16 on a 20-megawatt solar facility at the JBPHH West Loch Annex. Upon completion in December 2018, the West Loch Solar Project will produce the lowest-cost renewable energy in the state at less than 8 cents per kilowatt-hour. HECO will own and operate

the 80,760-panel solar facility, which is being built by REC Solar. In exchange for the land to host the facility, the utility will provide electrical infrastructure upgrades to Navy-owned facilities. The renewable energy generated by the 102-acre West Loch project will feed into the island’s electric grid and serve all customers on O‘ahu, including those on base. The project will save HECO customers at least $109 million over its expected 25-year

lifespan, compared with the cost of using oil to generate electricity. It will also reduce the utility’s use of imported oil by 76,000 barrels annually. “This partnership with the Navy is another example of how we’re working to create value for all customers while helping the military achieve its resilience goals,” said Alan Oshima, Hawaiian Electric president and CEO. “Replacing fossil fuels with grid-scale solar will help slow the effects

of climate change and benefit all customers with low-priced energy for decades to come.” J o i n t B a s e C o m m a n d e r, Capt. Jeff Bernard pointed out, “Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam is the key strategic installation for our interests in the Pacific. We are pleased to be able to increase our base’s energy resiliency while also helping Hawaiian Electric strengthen the state’s electric grid.” The Hawaiian Electric

Companies are national leaders in the integration of renewable energy on their island grids, using renewables to generate 27 percent of their electricity in 2017. Questions for the Department of the Navy may be directed to Kathy Isobe at kathy. isobe@navy.mil, or 473-0662. Questions for Hawaiian Electric may be directed to Shannon Tangonan, at shannon.putnam@hawaiianelectric.com or 351-4978.

Rear Adm. John Korka, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific and Capt. Jeff Bernard, commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam join with elected officials and other stakeholders break ground alongside Alan Oshima, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric, during the West Loch Solar Project groundbreaking ceremony at JBPHH West Loch Annex, April 16. Photo by MC2 Somers Steelman


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