N※N

Team Hickam welcomes public for Wings of Aloha event

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. am-welcomes-public-for-wings-of-aloha-event.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 15:31 GMT by Hawaii News Now
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Team Hickam Hosts “Public Wings Aloha” Celebration: A Day of Flight, Culture, and Community

On Saturday, September 7, 2025, the United States Air Force’s 15th Wing at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu welcomed the public to a special “Public Wings Aloha” event. The event, organized by Team Hickam—a non‑profit partnership of the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps—offered a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity for families, civilians, and local residents to experience the world‑famous “Blue Angels” aircraft, view a base‑wide airshow, and learn about the roles of the 15th Wing in national security and humanitarian support.

A Day of “Wings” and “Aloha”

The “Public Wings Aloha” day began at 10 a.m. with a welcome address from the base commander, Colonel William “Bill” McKenna, who highlighted the importance of fostering trust and goodwill between the U.S. military and the Hawaiian community. “We’re here to share our mission, our heritage, and our commitment to protecting this region,” McKenna said, gesturing toward the historic runways that have served both civilian and military aviation since World War II.

After the speech, attendees were escorted to the airfield for a guided tour of the historic “Aloha Hangar.” The hangar, a National Register of Historic Places listing, houses a collection of restored WWII-era aircraft and displays that illustrate the evolution of airpower in the Pacific. Team Hickam’s co‑founder, Major General Patricia Lee, told participants that “the stories that echo from these walls remind us that the Air Force’s presence here is part of a larger legacy of protection and partnership.”

Flight Experience and Airshow Highlights

The centerpiece of the event was a flight experience program that allowed six selected families to take a short, supervised flight in a C‑130J Super Hercules, one of the 15th Wing’s most iconic aircraft. Prior to the flight, each family received a briefing on flight safety, pre‑flight checks, and the mission history of the C‑130, which has been used in everything from disaster relief to strategic airlift.

“The helicopter ride over Honolulu was breathtaking,” recounted Maria Hernandez, mother of the youngest flight participant. “Seeing the shoreline and the mountains from the air made me appreciate how vital the 15th Wing’s logistics capabilities are to Hawaii and the broader Pacific.”

Later in the afternoon, a “Public Wings Airshow” showcased the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s famed aerial demonstration team, performing a series of maneuvers at a distance of 600 feet from the ground. The event also featured the 15th Wing’s own F‑35 Lightning II, which performed a “fly‑by” and a low‑altitude “cannon roll” that left the crowd in awe. A scheduled “Ask the Pilot” session followed, where Airmen answered questions about advanced aerial warfare, the integration of artificial intelligence in combat, and the challenges of operating in a geopolitically dynamic region.

Cultural Touches and Community Outreach

True to the Hawaiian spirit, the event included a cultural performance by the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and a traditional “Hula” show by the local dance troupe, Kāʻimiʻāhikoʻona. A native Hawaiian elder, Lōkahi Nalu, spoke on the role of the Air Force in supporting local humanitarian efforts. “We’re not just a military base; we’re part of this community’s pulse,” Nalu said. “When disaster strikes, we are often the first to respond.”

Team Hickam also unveiled its new “Community Wings” initiative—a partnership that will deploy volunteer medical teams and disaster response units from the 15th Wing to local schools and emergency shelters. The program, launched this week, aims to address critical gaps in medical and logistical resources in the Hawaiian Islands.

Key Takeaways and Future Plans

1. Strengthening Civil‑Military Relations
   The event was a powerful reminder of how the U.S. military can engage with civilians beyond the base perimeter. Colonel McKenna emphasized that “building a shared sense of purpose with the local community is as crucial as any combat mission.” The success of the event has prompted the 15th Wing to plan a bi‑annual “Public Wings” event, aiming to double attendance by the next year.

2. Highlighting the 15th Wing’s Multifaceted Role
   While the airshow drew crowds with its thrills, the flight experience and community outreach segments highlighted the Wing’s humanitarian contributions. The 15th Wing is responsible for airlift operations in the Pacific, providing rapid response in natural disasters such as the recent Hurricane Keliola that battered the Big Island.

3. Expanding Outreach to Hawaii’s Youth
   Team Hickam announced a new scholarship program to support students from under‑represented communities in pursuing aviation and engineering studies. A “Future Flyers” program will host STEM workshops at local high schools, emphasizing the importance of aerospace careers.

Follow‑Up Resources

• Team Hickam Website: The organization’s official page provides further details on upcoming events, scholarship opportunities, and volunteer programs. (Link: https://teamhickam.org)

• Hawaiian News Now Coverage: For full video footage and in‑depth interviews, refer to the original article’s embedded videos. (Link: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/09/07/team-hickam-welcomes-public-wings-aloha-event/)

• 15th Wing Media Releases: Official press releases detailing the mission and community impact of the 15th Wing can be accessed at the base’s public affairs office. (Link: https://hickam.af.mil/News)

• Community Wings Initiative: A dedicated portal outlines volunteer opportunities, event schedules, and disaster response protocols. (Link: https://communitywings.com)

In sum, the “Public Wings Aloha” event served as a vivid illustration of how military heritage, cutting‑edge aviation, and community engagement can coalesce into a memorable and meaningful experience. The day left many participants with a new appreciation for the 15th Wing’s role in safeguarding the Pacific region and for the enduring partnership between the U.S. Air Force and the Hawaiian people.