It's official: Wing commander named

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Joseph K. Kim was officially named the 154th Wing Commander during his promotion ceremony at the State Capitol Jan.8.

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and Brig. Gen. Kim's wife, Kimberly, fastened his new 'star' onto his uniform shortly after he was officially named Wing commander.

Brig. Gen. Kim has been the Wing's 'interim' commander since June 2009, when Maj. Gen. Peter S. Pawling left the Wing to assume duties as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, United States Pacific Command.

During the ceremony, the Hawaii Air National Guard's newest general officer thanked the men and women in uniform who have served with him and inspired through the years.

"I thank all of you who have taught me, my mentors, my colleagues..." he said

He also expressed what motivates him to wear the uniform.

"Some people use the family as a reason not to serve, but my family is why I serve," said Brig. Gen. Kim.

The Wing is one of the largest, most complex and diverse units in the Air National Guard consisting of an F-15 squadron, a KC-135R squadron, an associate C-17A squadron, two radar squadrons and the full compliment of Wing supporting squadrons.

We look to succeed in executing future missions, and continued success in inspections and evaluations, said Brig. Gen. Kim.

Units perform the 24-hour Air Sovereignty mission within the Hawaiian Islands as well as provide support to more than 450 personnel in geographically separated units within the HIANG.

Although manned by only 2,500 citizen airmen, the Hawaii Air National Guard has consistently deployed volunteers throughout the Pacific and Southwest Asia since 2001.

"We are full participants in the war worldwide. The deployments are more frequent and longer, but we are holding up really well," said Brig. Gen. Kim.