Cactus Aloha pits Reserves against Guard

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii --  Pilots and support personnel of the 93rd Fighter Squadron and 482nd Maintenance Group, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. are training with the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron for exercise Cactus Aloha. 

Cactus Aloha is a Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Tactics training exercise, in which Homestead's F-16s flies are pitted against the F-15s of the 199th Fighter Squadron. Each aircraft has distinct flying and fighting capabilities, affording both units the chance to experience training against a different platform than their own. 

The exercise is providing lessons that the reservists of Homestead's 482nd Fighter Wing can't frequently get at home. 

"This type of training allows everyone involved, from pilots to maintainers to support personnel, the opportunity to work in a different environment, face unique challenges and be prepared to carry the mission wherever it's needed," said 1st Lt. Dan Moreno, 482nd Operations Group executive officer. 

Among the maintainers, morale remains high, despite being on the road. Troops have found their temporary home in Hawaii to be very welcoming. 

"The weather and scenery have been great," crew chief Tech. Sgt. Phil Vargas said. "We've adapted pretty well to working here. The Hawaii Air National Guard personnel have been very hospitable." 

The Hawaii ANG's 199th Fighter Squadron hosts a number of units for "Aloha" exercises throughout the year. In fact, the Aloha name is carried through all of the exercises. The only difference is that when the 199th is training against other ANG units, the exercise is called "Sentry Aloha." 

The logistics involved are mind-boggling. From coordinating transport, equipment, aircraft, people and facilities, to keeping up with, and maintaining all of it, requires a small army of people on both ends. 

However, thanks to "Cactus Aloha" liaison Chief Master Sgt. Craig Harimoto, the task has been manageable. His laid back management style makes a complex and challenging task look simple. 

When asked, he was all smiles about it. 

"This job is very fun and interesting," Chief Harimoto said. "I came from a maintenance background, then wing safety, to this. All of these people have been good to work with." 

Cactus Aloha continues through Aug. 26, when the Homestead team and equipment head back to home base in Florida.