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The TRIANGULAR PALM appears quite striking in three directions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Gustavo Gonzalez)

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PACAF Headquarters on 7 December 1941

On December 7, 1941, 51 airplanes were on the ground at Hickam Field, the headquarters of the Hawaii Air Force, and a flight of 12 B-17s was expected to arrive that morning. The first wave of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was primarily targeting battleships and carriers, but the airfields were also to be hit to prevent a counterattack .At Hickam Field, Japanese Zero fighters and Val dive-bombers strafed and bombed the fight line and hangars, concentrating on the B-17 bombers. The second wave of the Japanese attack struck Hickam at 8:40am and by 9:45 the attack was over. Nearly half of the airplanes at Hickam Field had been destroyed or severely damaged. The hangars, the Hawaiian Air Depot, several base facilities -- the barracks, the fire station, the chapel and the guardhouse -- had been hit. Hickam's casualties totaled 121 men killed, 274 wounded and 37 missing. Despite the damage inflicted by the Japanese, they had ignored the vital repair facilities and gasoline storage tanks at Hickam, Pearl Harbor and elsewhere on Oahu. Hickam Field emerged from the attack stronger than before and played an important role in World War II and since. (Based on information from the National Park Service; http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/aviation/hic.htm)

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The Eternal Flame

The Courtyard of Heroes Memorial: Three times this century, Air Force men and women have responded to the call to arms in the Pacific. In World War II, Korea, and Southeast Asia, they have borne the struggle to advance the cause of freedom and defend their nation. This memorial is a tribute to their service and their sacrifice. The eternal flame of freedom is a constant reminder of the spirit of partiotism in which thousands of Pacific Air Forces men and women have served with honor and dedication. The flame also symbolizes the vigilence of those who have served, are serving, and will serve in defense of the nation on its Pacific Frontier. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Gustavo Gonzalez)

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Old Glory

The American flag that flew over Hickam during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, was preserved and displayed in many locations afterwards. The flag flew over the Big Three Conference in Potsdam attended by President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. It flew over the White House on August 14, 1945, when the Japanese announced their surrender, and was flown over the United Nations Charter meeting in San Francisco. The flag flew over Far East Air Forces Headquarters in Tokyo after WWII, and was displayed at the Air Force Academy before returning to Hickam. The Hickam flag was the first display in the Courtyard of Heroes. It was in a glass case from 1988 to 1991, when it was moved to a koa wood display case. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Gustavo Gonzalez)

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In Defense of The Nation

PACAF traces its roots to the activation of Far East Air Forces, Aug. 3, 1944, at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. FEAF was subordinate to the U.S. Army Forces Far East and served as the headquarters of Allied Air Forces Southwest Pacific Area. After World II, FEAF was designated the theater air force for the Far East Command. Four years after the Korean War armistice, FEAF was redesignated Pacific Air Forces and transferred its headquarters to Hickam.Throughout its history, PACAF has played a vital role in defending the United States.

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COMPACAF and PACAF?s OAY honor Fallen

A special wreath, which reads you are gone but not forgotten, laid at the Courtyard of Heroes, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, April 26, 2010, to honor the brave Airmen who died at Hickam Air Field, Dec. 7, 1941 (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn)

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COMPACAF and PACAF?s OAY honor Fallen

Pacific Air Forces outstanding Airmen of the year pose for a group photo after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Courtyard of Heroes, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, April 26, 2010. The group presided over the ceremony honoring those who died at Hickam Air Field, Dec. 7, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn)

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Airmen remember attack on Pearl Harbor, Hickam Field

James Aiona, Lt. Governor of Hawaii,speaks to survivors, Hickam airmen, friends and family members of the victims of the Dec. 7, 1941 attacks on Hickam Air Field, during a remembrance ceremony Dec. 7 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The ceremony marked the 68th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Field, and paid tribute the Airmen who were attacked and died on that tragic day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn)

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WWII vets fly on "Spirit of Go For Broke"

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Veterans from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion exit the back of the “Spirit of Go For Broke” after getting a 45-minute flight around some of the Hawaiian Islands. The “Spirit of Go For Broke” one of Hickam’s C-17 Globemaster III aircraft that was named in honor of the men and their motto. The soldiers of “Go For Broke” were composed entirely from volunteers of “Nisei” (second generation Japanese Americans) and was one of the most highly decorated World War II combat units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tom Czerwinski)

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WWII vets fly on "Spirit of Go For Broke"

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Veterans of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion climb on board the “Spirit of Go for Broke”. Waiting for more than a year and a half after the June, 14 2006 christening of Hickam’s seventh C-17, Globemaster III, added to Hickam’s fleet of eight –the men for whom it was named after finally get their ride on the aircraft. They took to the skies for a 45-minute flight around some of the Hawaiian Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tom Czerwinski)

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WWII vets fly on "Spirit of Go For Broke"

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Surviving members of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion pose in front of one Hickam’s C-17 aircraft the "Spirit of Go For Broke" which was named after the motto of the historic World War II Army units that consisted of Japanese Americans mostly from Hawaii. The “Go For Broke” unit was one of the most highly decorated units during WWII. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tom Czerwinski)

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Legacy Pathway

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- For weeks, the large lawn inside the main traffic circle on Hickam Air Force Base has been the site of some construction. The work is now finished, and the island of Oahu has a new military memorial to show for it. The Pacific Air Forces officially dedicated its newest memorial-the Legacy pathway.

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Major General James Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo

Transport plane that brought Doolittle raiders from China to India, with giraffe; (National Archives, US Navy 80-G-063589).

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Major General James Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo

Wreckage of Major General James Doolittle’s plane in China after the raid on Tokyo, April 18, 1942. (National Archives, US Navy 80-G- 063594).

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Korean War remains return home

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- A bugler sounds taps as the remains of six Korean War veterans are carried by a joint military honor guard here April 12. A ceremony to honor the remains believed to be those of six U.S. service members lost during the Korean War marks their return to American soil at Hangar 35 on Hickam Air Force Base. The remains were turned over by North Korean officials to a U.S. delegation earlier this week. (Air Force photo by Angela Elbern)

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Korean War remains return home

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- The remains of one of six Korean War veterans are carried by a joint military honor guard here April 12. A ceremony to honor the remains believed to be those of six U.S. service members lost during the Korean War marks their return to American soil at Hangar 35 on Hickam Air Force Base. The remains were turned over by North Korean officials to a U.S. delegation earlier this week. (Air Force photo by Angela Elbern)

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Korean War remains return home

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- A ceremony to honor the remains believed to be those of six U.S. service members lost during the Korean War marks their return to American soil at Hangar 35 on Hickam Air Force Base. The remains were turned over by North Korean officials to a U.S. delegation earlier this week. (photo courtesy of Gregory Yamamoto, The Honolulu Advertiser)

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Air Force Memorial

Hundreds gathered at the base of the new Air Force Memorial as Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne officially closed the Air Force Memorial commemoration with a wreath laying ceremony in Arlington, Va., Oct. 15, 2006. Looking on are, from left: Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, Air Force Memorial Foundation Chairman Ross Perot Jr. , and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. On behalf of all American citizens President George W. Bush accepted the Air Force Memorial from Air Force Memorial Foundation Chairman Ross Perot Jr. during the previous day's dedication ceremony at the base of the Air Force Memorial that overlooks the Pentagon. Designed by the late James Ingo Freed the memorial with its three soaring spires inspired by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds bomb burst manuever, pays tribute to and honors the patriotic men and women of the U.S. Air Force and its predeccessor organizations. An open house was held near the Pentagon in conjunction with the dedication ceremony which featured performances by the U.S. Air Force Band, the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard drill team, and culminated with a concert featuring country music performer LeeAnn Womack. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cohen Young)

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Law Enforcement Memorial

The 35th Security Forces Squadron and Japan Air Self-Defense Force security personnel participated in a memorial service here Monday. During the retreat ceremony, a wreath was presented to honor all the men and women who have served and who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of law enforcement.

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