According to Huiss, this visit was an opportunity to better understand the mission of the 169th ADS and improve the integration with the HIANG and active duty Air Force.

Airmen from the 169th ADS travel from sea level to roughly 4,000 feet up the mountain just to get to their duty location. Once at the top of the mountain, they stay for 24 hours to keep watch over radio antennas and equipment, preventing any interruption to the air defense mission of the squadron.

“One thing that really stood out was the conditions some of them have to overcome to accomplish the mission, just to get up the mountain driving on a one lane road after a 24-hour shift,” said Huiss.

There are between 15 and 20 Airmen from the 169th that work in two man teams. When on duty, they eat, sleep and exercise high above the rest of the island.

“We work 24 hours because the road is very dangerous. There are no lights and it is very narrow, so we only drive it during the day,” said Master Sgt. Morris Niibu, a radio frequency technician for the 169th ADS.

Regardless of the challenges faced by the Airmen of the 169th ADS, they perform in a professional manner.

“They are some of the most professional that I have ever seen,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Jarratt, 169th ADS commander. “They are very self-sufficient and maintain a very high level of technical capability. I know if there is ever an issue with the radios it will be corrected immediately. I am extremely proud of the 169th ADS and the HIANG, performing this mission 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and never taking a day off from the mission.”