Pacific civic leaders take first-hand look at Andersen's mission

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Brian Bahret
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Twenty-two civic leaders from Alaska, Hawaii and Guam capped a five-day tour of the 'strategic triangle' with a visit to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 26.

The tour offered the Air Force an outlet to deliver key messages to influential regional community representatives.

According to Col. Ed Thomas, PACAF director of public affairs, the trip provided the civic leaders "a first-hand look at the professionalism and capabilities of our PACAF Airmen."

Colonel Thomas added that the Air Force has an obligation to explain its role in national security, and tours such as the Strategic Triangle Civic Leader Tour enable Airmen to educate the public.

The 10,000 plus mile trip included stops at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Elmendorf and Eielson AFBs, Alaska, and Andersen AFB, Guam.

"This is an opportunity to show a little more behind the curtain of what goes on," said Col. Daniel Settergren, 36th Contingency Response Group commander. "It lets them know how important the mission we do is, and it gives them a chance to understand how their support of the military at their own bases is important and helps the mission."

The community leaders agreed.

"I don't think there's any way you can get this type of knowledge without doing what General Chandler has done, and that's put this trip together for these people from Alaska, Hawaii and Guam," said Lee Webber, president and publisher of the Honolulu Advisor.

Before moving to Hawaii, Mr. Webber lived on Guam for 40 years. He was the publisher of the Guam Pacific Daily News, but was also a civilian liaison to the military. In Hawaii, he's continuing his role as community liaison.

"Civic leaders play such a critical role in sharing their knowledge about what they learned with the other business leaders within the community," he said.

Guam's Chamber of Commerce president Reina Leddy was one of five Guam residents who attended the tour hosted by Gen. Howie Chandler, PACAF commander.

"It really helped deepen my understanding of how Andersen and the bases in Hawaii and Alaska all fit together in this 'strategic triangle'," said Ms. Leddy, who serves on Guam's Armed Forces Committee and as a member of Andersen's Civilian Advisory Council.

PACAF's total force is made up of 45,000 civilians, Airmen, Guardsmen and Reservists who are split among nine main bases and help the United States demonstrate its commitment to regional and global security. By basing Airmen and resources in Alaska, Hawaii and Guam the U.S. has created a strategic triangle.

"The military's role of security in the region is very important," Ms. Leddy said. "[The Air Force] keeps the airspace open and keeps the trading lanes open for both air and sea. That's very important to our quality of life."

The group spent a day at Andersen learning the role Andersen plays in the region, the advantages of maintaining a forward-based presence on U.S. soil and some of the challenges the base faces.

The base's mission is to employ, deploy, integrate and enable air and space forces from the most forward U.S. sovereign Air Force base in the Pacific.

"It's reinforced the importance of Andersen and the ability to move things in and out of here," said Mr. Webber, a member of the Air Force Civilian Advisory Council. "I've always thought that we should put our assets in places where we can come and go without saying 'mother may I' and this reinforces that."

Since Guam is sovereign territory, the United States can use Andersen to respond to any crisis, for contingency support or humanitarian relief operations, rapidly and without having to ask for permission. Additionally, Guam's proximity to neighboring countries makes it much easier for strategic partners to train here with U.S. forces. All in an effort to support regional allies and ensure regional stability.

"When we're located on somebody else's soil, we have to consider the impact on their nation when we have to go do something," Mr. Webber said. "Having the assets deployed in Hawaii, Alaska and Guam ... gives us the ability to train with the troops of other countries on U.S. soil in ways that we couldn't train on their soil."

Andersen has hosted a continuous bomber presence featuring B-1 Lancers, B-52 Stratofortresses and B-2 Spirits since 2004. Along with the bombers, fighters like the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor deploy to Andersen on a regular basis as part of the Theater Security Package.

"This is an enduring commitment on the part of the United States government to support our national interests in a vital part of the world," said Stephen Wolborsky, chief of the Andersen Development Office.

While the mission here has become much more robust, the infrastructure isn't keeping pace, according to Mr. Wolborsky.

Tech. Sgt. Sean Burger, an F-22 low observable craftsman, deployed to Andersen from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, spoke to the civic leaders about the importance of the F-22 Raptor and challenges Airmen face while on temporary duty here.

"It's extremely challenging to bring this fighter from Alaska to a tropical location and maintain its low observable capabilities," said Sergeant Burger. "It's not like any other fighter; it comes with its own separate challenges. Facilities are what make maintaining this aircraft easier."

His point was illustrated clearly.

His backdrop while talking to the civic leaders was the world's newest, most modern fighter which sat in a corrugated steel hangar with inadequate lighting. The pristine F-22 stood in sharp contrast to the facility which was covered in rust.

"We're doing a great job [at Andersen], but it would help to have some better facilities and some better infrastructure for the premiere fighter we have here," said Sergeant Burger.

Recently contractors completed construction on Andersen's newest hangar, an advanced facility designed to house the RQ-4 Global Hawk.

While two other hangars have been built within the last 10 years, Mr. Wolborsky said, Andersen is "still experiencing a gap between mission, growth and infrastructure development."

Andersen is not alone in its challenges; each of the bases the community leaders visited has concerns. The community leaders can help share the military's needs.

"These are men and women who are influence leaders in their communities - key links to telling our story to the American Taxpayers," said Colonel Thomas.

"All of the funding and the resources that are poured in to keeping the military, especially the Air Force, up to speed with technology and given the resources to keep a head of the game it is all important," said Ms. Leddy. "We need to be supportive of that. It all boils down to if they're able to have the resources to carry out their mission, the safer our community is." 

Editor's note: A Guam resident and the Chamber of Commerce president, Reina Leddy was highly respected by the entire Guam military community who deeply mourn her passing. She passed away July 2. Ms. Leddy was known for her diligent efforts to promote Guam and foster the relationship between island residents and the military. All her contributions were deeply appreciated and she will be missed greatly by the Andersen community. Along with all the residents of Guam, Team Andersen mourns her loss.