in memoriam - Fleet Reserve Association

After breakfast the group departed for Andersen Air Force Base where we met with the Base Commander,
Brigadier General Douglas H. Owens, Vice Commander Colonel Joel S. Westa and Command Chief Master Sergeant
Robert D. Wicks at 1115.
The entire group went to lunch at the “Top of the Rock.” From the club, we departed for an office call with
the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer and Command Master Chief (CDR Chris Brunett, CDR John Menoni
and Roger Etienne respectively) of HSC-25. This naval command is a tenant on Andersen AFB and they are very
proud of that fact – U.S. Navy was very prevalent everywhere within the command. The CO and XO took us on a
tour of the hangar and were allowed to view the helicopters close up.
After a busy afternoon, we returned to the hotel in Tumon Bay. Later that evening, Presidents Shipmate
Rick and Lady Sophie picked us up and took us out for a delicious dinner. We then returned to the hotel to prepare
for departure back to the States after an extensive 18 day trip to overseas Pacific.
Thursday, 22 February
Departed the hotel at 0500 via the hotel courtesy van for the airport for our scheduled 0710 [Continental
Micronesia Airline (3,801 miles)] departure to Honolulu, Hawaii.
Wednesday, 21 February
CROSSED INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
After the 7 hour – 5 minute flight, we landed in Honolulu on schedule at 1815. We were scheduled to
change to a Northwest Airline flight from Honolulu to Seattle, so after clearing customs and immigration, rechecked
our luggage at Northwest baggage. When we arrived at the Northwest ticket counter, we were informed the flight
had been canceled because of a generator problem on the engine (was glad it canceled before we got in the air), so
we were transferred to United for a flight five hour flight to Los Angeles.
Thursday, 22 February
After the 2,556 mile flight from Honolulu, we arrived in Los Angeles at 0530, then departed Los Angeles at
0630 on a 2 hour – 40 minute (954 miles) flight to Seattle, arriving at 1010.
Our son met us at the airport, Sandy then returned home with him and I continued on to Washington, D.C.
for a business meeting on Friday.
CONCERNS OF THE OVERSEAS PACIFIC BRANCHES AND MEMBERS
Submitted by President Frank Misiura, Branch 103
YOKOSUKA BRANCH 103
1. TRICARE OVERSEAS: The existing Provider (WPS) is difficult to contact regarding claims. They have no
e-mail address or web site. All correspondence is transmitted via the postal service which significantly adds to the
time claims are processed. There is no way of knowing the status of your claim from the time it is sent and during
processing by the provider. WPS Staff can only be contacted by telephone during their normal working hours which
is on Wisconsin time. This requires that Pacific Beneficiaries call between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. local
time. Local TRICARE Representatives (when available) are under staffed and do not provide assistance to retirees
with regards to filing claims. Proposal: Have WPS develop an online claim submission process with a means to
track status. Provide email addresses to a help desk that Beneficiaries can submit questions to when having problems
getting claims processed. Provide an extended hours of operation Telephone Help Desk that overseas members can
contact at reasonable local times.
NP-17