LIHUE — As the Civil Air Patrol’s Pacific Region leadership was convening their annual Commander’s Call Meeting on the morning of Jan. 13, 2018, warnings began to be broadcast on cell phones of an imminent nuclear missile attack on the state of Hawaii.
LIHUE — As the Civil Air Patrol’s Pacific Region leadership was convening their annual Commander’s Call Meeting on the morning of Jan. 13, 2018, warnings began to be broadcast on cell phones of an imminent nuclear missile attack on the state of Hawaii.
While citizens all over the islands were reacting to this warning, the leadership of the Pacific Region sprang into action.
Two members in particular, Col. Tim Hahn and Col. Jeff Wong, took charge of the situation and began organizing a shelter-in-place plan for not only the members of the Civil Air Patrol, but also for the civilian guests of the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach in Waipouli.
“Without the selfless dedication of Col. Hahn and Col. Wong, panic would have ensued with an almost certain disastrous consequence,” according to a press release. “Col. Hahn and Col. Wong’s ‘so-others-may-live’ attitude was in the highest traditions of the Civil Air Patrol and the United States Air Force, and they are being recognized for their actions by being presented the Civil Air Patrol’s Exceptional Service Medal.”
The men will be honored 8 a.m. Saturday at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach.
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime, all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees.
