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Pohakuloa Training Area

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Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) was first used during World War II as a Marine corps artillery live-fire training area. U.S. Marines from the 3rd Marine Division and the 5th Marine Division trained at PTA and on the western side of the Big Island in preparation for the Iwo Jima and Saipan campaigns.

During World War II, few permanent structures existed; when the Marines trained at PTA, they slept in tents. After the war, PTA fell under the control of the Hawaii Territorial Guard, and in the mid-1950s, the Army took over PTA. From 1955-58, Soldiers from the 65th Engineer Company built the distinctive Quonset huts, which are still in use.

Aerial shot of PTA
Staff Sgt. Jo Cote (right) was one of 15 Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division who planted Native Hawaiian trees and shrubs at the West Hawaii Veteran’s Cemetery in September 2012. Soldiers and Marines who train at Pōhakuloa perform community service projects as part of their training rotation to the Big Island. U.S. Army photo by Bob McElroy.

PTA's 133,000 acres include an 80-acre cantonment area with a fuel yard, fire and police departments and an airfield with a 3,700-foot runway. The cantonment area also provides units with task-force headquarters, dining facilities, a troop medical clinic, a theater and the only Quonset-hut chapel in the Army.

The installation can support up to 2,300 military personnel with rations, ice, fuel and transportation.

PTA's firing ranges allow units to conduct small-arms and crew-served weapons familiarization training and qualifications, as well as artillery and mortar live fire. Through the years, PTA’s ranges and training areas have helped Army, Marine, Air Force and Navy units maintain their combat readiness and prepare for war. Most recently, 25th Infantry Division units, Kaneohe-based Marines and Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers prepared at PTA for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition to being a prime training area for military forces in the Pacific region, PTA is a vanguard of environmental and cultural protection. PTA Natural and Cultural Resources staff include more than 50 professionals dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered and threatened plants and safeguarding cultural resources at PTA.

Today, PTA stands as the premier military training area in the Pacific region. Units from all U.S. military services, as well as allied militaries, train at PTA, because it offers realistic training opportunities not found elsewhere. With several new construction projects underway, PTA stands ready to support military training well into the future.

The PTA command team and staff embody the IMCOM motto: “Sustain, Support, and Defend.”


Mission

Pohakuloa Training Area provides a quality joint/combined arms facility that provides logistics, public works, airfield support, and environmental and cultural stewardship in support of the USARPAC training strategy while maintaining an enduring partnership with the local Hawaiian community. 


Vision

  • Provide and maintain an austere but safe training facility that supports realistic training.
  • Setting the standard for environmental compliance as well as natural and cultural resource stewardship.
  • As an active member of the community, develop productive relationships with state, county, and civic organizations

Lieutenant Colonel Eric P. Shwedo, Garrison Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Eric P. Shwedo was commissioned in 1992 with an initial assignment with 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne). While serving there, Lt. Col. Shwedo deployed to Ecuador. He was then assigned to 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, where he was a Senior Tactical Officer at the Officer Candidate School. He was then assigned to U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served as a Plans Officer in G3 Operations. USAG-PTA Commander Lt. Col. Shwedo

Following his time at USASFC(A), he served with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Detachment Commander and then deployed to Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He then transferred to U.S. Special Operations Command-Central (Airborne), where he served as the Plans/Unconventional Warfare Chief. He worked throughout the Central Command area of operations and deployed to Qatar twice and to the Kingdom of Jordan.

Lt. Col. Shwedo was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), as a Company Commander and a Battalion Executive Officer. While there, he deployed to Afghanistan and Pakistan. His next assignment was with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group, where he served as Commander of Robin Sage (the final phase of the Special Forces Qualification Course). His most recent assignment was at U.S. Special Operations Command (Airborne) where he served as a Lead Planner for the Afghanistan Operational Planning Team.

Lt. Col. Shwedo is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; the Special Forces Qualification Course; Infantry Basic and Advanced courses; the Special Operations Language Course; the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course; Jumpmaster Course and Ranger School. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida.

Lt. Col. Shwedo has earned the Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge.

Click here to download a PDF version of this biography.


Mr. Louis Roach, Deputy Garrison Commander

Mr. Louis Roach was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1947, the second in a family of five children. He attended grades 1 through 12 in Theodore, Alabama, and graduated from Theodore High School in 1966. He was president of the high school band and Key club. He medically disqualified for enlistment into the Army in 1966, but he volunteered for induction in 1969 and served 23 years in the U.S. Army in the enlisted and officer ranks. Mr. Roach attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Polk, La. and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Rucker, Al. His tours of duty included the Republic of Vietnam, Hawaii, Fort Rucker, South Korea, Fort Polk, Honduras, Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg and Iraq. During Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm he earned numerous awards to include the Bronze Star and Meritorious Medals for combat and humanitarian service. He retired from active service on his return from the Persian Gulf in 1991 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Two (CWO 2).USAG-PTA Deputy Garrison Commander Louis Roach

With plans of becoming an airport manager, he attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. and graduated in 1992 (GPA of 3.92) with a BS in Professional Aeronautics. He continued his educational endeavors at Murray State University, Murray, Ky. where he received a MS (GPA 3.95) in Human Services. Since accepting employment with the Department of the Army he has attended Sustaining Base Leadership Management (SBLM), Personnel Management for Executives (PME) I&II and Organizational Leadership for Executives (OLE) through the Army Management Staff College (AMSC), Fort Belvoir, Va. and Logistics Executive Development Course (LEDC) through the Army Logistics Management College (ALMC), Fort Lee, Va.

In 1997 he was assigned to Camp Casey, South Korea, as the Area I MWR Services Division Chief. After completing LEDC in 2000 he was assigned to Doha, Qatar as the Civilian Executive Assistant and charged with establishing an Army Pre-Positioned War Reserve (APS-5) site. Lou returned to the United States after being selected as the Headquarters Battalion Executive Officer, Fort Myer, Va. in July 2001. He spearheaded the movement of activated National Guard units into the Military District of Washington, (MDW) for providing Pentagon security during the aftermath of the 9/11 attack. He established a Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) platform for the constant troop movement requirements within and around the MDW. He received the Civilian Superior Performance Medal for his contribution during the 9/11 crisis.

In 2003 he was selected for and reassigned to Fort Greely, Alaska as the Deputy Garrison Commander (DGC) operating under a Presidential Directive to reestablish a fully functional and operational garrison at an installation closed under the 1995 BRAC action for the purpose of providing BASOPs for the construction of a tier 1 Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense national asset with a fully operational requirement of Sept. 30, 2004. He was reassigned under the Civilian Executive Development Program (CEDAP) to Camp Darby, Livorno, Italy as the DGC in September 2009.

Mr. Roach departed Camp Darby in May 2012 and on May 7 assumed duties as deputy garrison commander at USAG Pohakuloa, Hawaii.

Click here to download a PDF version of this biography.

Command Sergeant Major Alan D. Higgs, Command Sergeant Major

Command Sergeant Major Alan D. Higgs was born and raised in Detroit. On March 29, 1985, he enlisted in the Regular Army as an Infantryman. Throughout his career, he has held many positions of responsibility from Team Leader to Battalion Command Sergeant Major.USAG-PTA Command Sergeant Major Alan D. Higgs

Command Sgt. Maj. Higgs deployed to Southwest Asia for Operation Desert Storm from December 1990 to April 1991. He deployed to Kosovo as part of KFOR 2A and 4A. In 2004, he deployed with the 1st Infantry Division, to Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. His most recent deployment was with 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry as part of the 2nd Brigade, the Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, from July 2010 to July 2011.

Command Sgt. Maj. Higgs’ military education consists of the Primary Leadership Development Course, Bradley Crew Evaluator Course, French Commando School, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Drill Sergeants School, Master Fitness Trainers Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Ranger School, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, and First Sergeants Course. He is also a graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy, Class 52.

Command Sgt. Maj. Higgs has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College.

His military decorations include the Bronze Star (Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (nine Oak Leaf Clusters), and numerous other ribbons and medals.

Command Sgt. Maj. Higgs also holds the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Basic Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and the Ranger Tab. His foreign awards include the French Commando Badge, German Marksmanship Badge (Gold) and the German Army Sports Badge (Bronze).

Click here to download a PDF version of this biography.

Aloha … Welcome to U.S. Army Garrison-PTA, Big Island, Hawaii

U.S. Army Garrison-Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) is part of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific Region. Our mission is to provide a quality joint/combined arm facility that offers logistical and training support as the centerpiece of the U.S. Army-Pacific (USARPAC) collective training strategy for Hawaii, while maintaining and enduring partnership with the local community.

PTA is located on the Island of Hawaii, 250 air miles from Oahu and at 6,200 feet elevation in the saddle between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Hualalai Volcanic mountains. We are the largest Department of Defense installation in Hawaii consisting of more than 133 thousand acres.

The "Big Island" of Hawaii is the largest island in the Hawaiian island chain and is well known for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches and Kona coffee. It is less well known as home for more than sixty years to a major U.S. military facility that serves as the primary training and largest maneuver area in the Pacific for joint, interagency and multinational forces.

Our cost of living is one of the highest in the nation.PTA is considered a remote assignment, having very limited military resources; we have no on-post family housing, commissary, or medical facilities - uniformed service members and civilian employees alike have to utilize the local economy.

Most of our civilian and military families live in Hilo, on the windward (eastern) coast, located approximately 35 miles from PTA. Hilo is the largest city on the island and the headquarters for the county government. The remaining families live in the north or west part of the island in Waimea or Waikoloa area, approximately 40–50 miles from PTA.

There are two newspapers serving the Island of Hawaii: the Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today. Television news stations operating in Hawaii include KHON, KGMB and KITV.

All newcomers, both uniformed service members and civilians, will be assigned a sponsor to assist you and your family; the deputy commander and command sergeant major assign sponsors.

To request for welcome packet, contact USAG-PTA’s administrative office at 808-969-2400/2401/2402 or email: celso.tadeo@us.army.mil.

Your Military in Hawaii, a joint-services publication, provides information on all installations in Hawaii. View the guide online at www.yourmilitaryinhawaii.com.

Temporary Lodging

Lodging is available off-post only. The only military-affiliated lodging available on island is at Kilauea Military Camp, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

For additional information on temporary lodging and assistance, contact USAG-PTA’s administrative office at 808- 969-2400/2401/2402.

Household Goods

It is important to make sure your PCS orders reflect the zip code 96720 to ensure delivery to the Big Island.

The Joint Personal Property Shipping Office, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JPPSO-Hawaii) handles all processing for temporary storage and/or delivery of your personal property once it arrives on island. The JPPSO is a jointly staffed DOD activity assigned to HQ Air Force. You can call the JPPSO at 808-473-7760.

To read more about your personal property move, visit the Air Force's "Move" website at http://afmove.hq.af.mil.

Shipping Your POV

It is important to make sure your PCS orders reflect the zip code 96720 to ensure delivery to the Big Island.

The Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) handles all privately owned vehicle (POV) shipments. Incoming personnel can track the status of their POV shipment at www.whereismypov.com.

Useful Links

The Island of Hawaii is an exciting place to live and work. The terrain ranges from rocky seacoast and beaches, to mountain rain forests, to pasture and high desert; all a product of ongoing volcanic activity. In addition to the wide variety of natural beauty, the island has a unique Hawaiian culture. Many say the spirit of Hawaii thirty years ago remains unspoiled by the affect of tourism.

Hawaii residents have a long history and can teach you a great deal about Hawaiian culture and customs. The people of Hawaii are warm and friendly. Prepare yourself to truly get to know Hawaii and the aloha spirit.

Community Relations

For as long as Pōhakuloa has provided training for America’s military forces, the post has endeavored to be a good neighbor to the Big Island community.

The Pōhakuloa command team and staff continually seek opportunities to host community leaders, Veteran, civic and school groups and to coordinate community service projects for Soldiers and Marines who train here.

Some of our community connections include Pōhakuloa’s Cultural Advisory Committee—a cross section of local Native Hawaiians who advise the commander on issues affecting the Native Hawaiian community.

The Pōhakuloa Community Advisory Group performs a similar function as the CAC but is composed of community business and civic leaders who provide another perspective and source of counsel to the Pōhakuloa command team.

Pōhakuloa also engages Big Island emergency services and police with mutual support.

Read about Pōhakuloa’s community engagements at the following links:

View photos from some of our community engagements visit our Flickr photo site at:

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Marines supported the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on Jan. 19. Pōhakuloa firefighters hosted Big Island firefighters for a day of training in November.
  
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The Pōhakuloa float was well-received during the Hilo Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 10 Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division visited Keaau Middle School Career Day in May 2012

Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) is located between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Hualalai Volcanic Mountains. PTA can be reached from Oahu either by direct military helicopter or military fixed wing flights to PTA's Bradshaw Army Airfield or by commercial airlines to either Hilo or Kona. From Hilo or Kona, PTA is reached by driving on Saddle Road, with the main gate at mile marker 36.


Mailing Address

USAG-Pohakuloa Training Area
Attn: IMPC-HI-PS
P.O. Box 4607
Hilo, HI 96720-0607


Phone Directory


Administrative Services 808-969-2401/2402/2403
    Fax 808-438-1643
BAE Transportation 808-969-2474/2473
BAE Troop Issue Subsistence Avtivity 808-969-2478/2479
BAE Ammunition Supply Point 808-969-2483/2482
Bradshaw Army Airfield 808-969-2462/2461
Bulk Fuel Storage 808-969-2421/2424
Culutural Resources 808-969-3340
Fire Department 808-969-2448/2447
Information Management Officer 808-969-2408
Logistics, Directorate of 808-969-2504
Natural Resources 808-969-3340
Operations
    Plans & Operations Officer 808-969-2426
    Operations Officer 808-969-2405
    U.S. Army Liaison NCO 808-969-2422
    Operations Clerk 808-969-2423
Police Department 808-969-2429/2430/2431
30th Sig. Bn./NEC Liaison 808-969-2451
Public Affairs 808-969-2427
Public Works 808-969-2467/2468
Ranges
    Range Control 808-969-2455/2456
    Range Maintenance 808-969-2485/2486
Safety 808-935-1757
Supply & Services 808-969-2437/2436
USMC Liaison 808-969-2420
Weather
    Automated Message 808-969-2463
    Direct Line 808-969-2458/2464

Hunting on U.S. Army Garrison-PTA, Big Island, Hawaii

Pōhakuloa Training Area will open several areas to bow hunting on Saturday Jan. 12 and Sunday Jan. 13. There will be no bird hunting.

Training Areas 2, 10 and 11 will be open for mammal hunting between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. No early access to hunting areas is permitted. Hunters must check out by 7:30 p.m. each day.

Hunters using Training Area 2 should enter and exit through gates 1-5 on east Saddle Road. Hunters who hunt in Training Areas 10 and 11 should use Gates 1-6 on west Saddle Road.

Hunting is prohibited in Training Areas 1, 3-9, 12-22 and the Keamuku parcel due to military training.

All hunters must check in and check out at either the Kilohana Hunter’s Check in Station located between Mile Markers 43 and 44 on Saddle Road or the Huluhulu Hunter’s Check in Station located at the intersection of Mauna Kea Access Road and Saddle Road—near Mile Marker 28.

Hunting passes will be available at both check-in stations on Friday Jan. 11 after 5 p.m. Please place the pass on your vehicle dashboard when hunting. Hunting passes are only valid for Jan. 12 and 13.

The temporary hunting pass now includes a Disclaimer and Waiver of Liability statement. All hunters must read and sign the statement and place the pass on their vehicle dashboard. Hunters who do not have a hunting pass with a signed waiver statement on their dash will be barred from hunting for 30 days.

PTA is extremely dry and fires can start easily. No smoking or open flames are allowed in all training and hunting areas. Please report all fires to the PTA Federal Fire Department at 969-2447 or 969-2448.

No firearms, alcoholic beverages, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes or recreational vehicles are allowed in the training and hunting areas. Please close all gates when entering or leaving hunting areas.

For more information, call the Hunter’s Hotline at 969-3474 or the Public Affairs Office at (808) 969-2427.

keamuku hunting photo
Delbert Cambra bagged a few birds recently while hunting in the Keamuku Maneuver Area using a Remington 1100 .410 gauge. His Brittany Leah stands ready at his side. Send your hunting photos to: robert.h.mcelroy.civ@mail.mil and we'll post them to our website.

keamuku hunting photo
Big Island hunter James Fukunaga shot this Billy in the Keamuku Maneuver Area while hunting there Nov. 17-18. This was the first weekend the Keamuku was open for bow hunting. Send your hunting photos to: robert.h.mcelroy.civ@mail.mil and we'll post them to our website.

keamuku hunting photo
Big Island bow hunter Kai T. bagged this Billy in the Keamuku Maneuver Area while hunting there on Nov. 17-18. This was the first weekend the Keamuku was open for bow hunting.


keamuku hunting photo
Local hunter Kenn Harada bagged this Billy on Saturday Feb. 9 while bow hunting in the Keamuku.


keamuku hunting photo
Big Island hunter JD Parel shot this Billy on Nov. 24 in the Keamuku parcel.


keamuku hunting photo
Hilo bow hunter Kelly Muranaka shows off this 25 inch Billy he bagged in the Keamuku Maneuver Area recently.


keamuku hunting photo
Jared Texeira age 13 from Hilo shot this Billy on Dec. 16 in Training Area 4 at Pōhakuloa.


keamuku hunting photo
Makalani Piña and her Lab Koa bagged this bird while hunting in the Keamuku recently.

Hunting Rules

All hunters must have a valid state hunting permit and must sign in at either the Kilohana or Huluhulu check-in stations.  Vehicle passes are given at these check-in stations and must be displayed in the vehicle.

Hunting is generally only allowed on weekends, 5 a.m.-7 p.m.

Report all unusual activities to the DA police at 969-2429 as soon as possible. For all emergencies call 911.  Report all fires to the PTA Fire Department immediately at 969-2447/2448.

All equipment within government property and all fenced-in areas are off limits. Cooper’s Airstrip in Training Area 3 is off limits.

Any vandalism, theft or destruction of government property will close all hunting and recreational activities for a minimum of 30 days.

Don’t park in or block roads, grass or brush areas, or runways.

Close all gates upon entering and exiting hunting areas.

No alcoholic beverages allowed.

No firearms, ATVs, dirt bikes or recreational vehicles allowed.

Training Schedule

The following units will be training at Pohakuloa Training Area during the dates below. The type of training is also indicated.

Contact the USAG-Pohakuloa Public Affairs Office at 808-969-2427 for additional information.

January 2013

• 8-30: Marines - Small Arms, Mortars, close air support, maneuver live fire exercise, helicopter gunnery

• 28-30: Marines - Helicopter Gunnery

February 2013

• 1-3: Army - Mortar live fire

• 4-6: Marines - Helicopter Gunnery

•7-10: Army - Small arms training

• 11-15: Marines - Helicopter Gunnery

• 11 February – 19 March: Marines - Artillery, mortars, small arms live fire

March 2013

• 4-15: Marines - Helicopter Gunnery

• 5-12: Army - Leaders Reconnaissance

April 2013

• 6-7: Army – Small Arms qualification

• 23-28: Navy - Live Bombing, Close Air Support

• 29 Apr – 2 May: Army – Helicopter Door Gunnery

June 2013

• 4-22: Army – Small Arms, Mortars, Maneuver Live Fire Exercise, TOW Missile Live Fire Exercise

July 2013

• 1-30: Marines – Small Arms, Mortars, Maneuver Life Fire Exercise, Close Air Support, Helicopter Gunnery, Fire Support Coordination Exercise

News Releases

USAG-Pohakuloa media releases are courtesy of the Public Affairs Office at (808) 969-2427.

Garrison Calendar

Hover over a day to see scheduled events. Additional views are available on the calendar page. View FMWR's calendar on their website.

PTA News

Read more news at the Hawaii Army Weekly.

Photos


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