Andersen gives up-close view of F-22, B-2

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  More than 400 military spouses, Department of Defense employees, Guam civic leaders and local community members received a first-hand look at two F-22A Raptors, a B-2 Spirit and a KC-135 Stratotanker on display at Hangar 1 here March 28.

Crewmembers from each aircraft answered questions from the flock of visitors curious to know the ins and outs of some of the premier aircraft currently in the Air Force's inventory.

"I think it's great they get a chance to come out here and look at something that's probably kind of fictitious to them (because they don't get to see it every day)," said Capt. Eric Van Veldhuizen, 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot. "This is a great opportunity to educate (and showcase) our capabilities."

The F-22s, B-2s and KC-135s deployed here play a pivotal role in Pacific Air Forces' theater security package and global deterrence mission.

Brig. Gen. Phil Ruhlman, 36th Wing commander, briefed the first two tour groups, consisting of military spouses, on the aircrafts' capabilities and how the 36th Wing helps combat the tyranny of distance.

Lisa Shirey, an Andersen Officers' Spouses' Club member and wife of Maj. Joseph Shirey, 36th Maintenance Squadron commander, called the event an "enlightening" experience. She said she gained an even greater respect for the technological aspects and the extensive training required by the pilots of the aircraft.

Members of the Armed Forces Committee and Andersen Civilian Advisory Committee comprised the third group on hand to tour the display.

"It's great to have my wife out here with me to take advantage of a sunny day and see the latest and greatest that the U.S. Air Force has to offer in the support and defense of our nation's freedom and the freedom of our allies," said Steve Ruder, an Guam community leader who's actively involved in the AFC and the ACAC. "It's great to be able to get around and visit with the folks who are actually boots on the ground and in the air out here and talk them about (their jobs). It's nice to meet the folks and thank them for what they do."

Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets, Boy and Girl Scouts and DOD identification cardholders were also viewed the display that also included military working dog and explosive ordnance disposal capability demonstrations and displays from the Andersen Fire and Emergency Services as well as the 36th Munitions Squadron.

While each of the groups expressed interest in all the displays, they ultimately returned to the Air Force's newest fighter, the stealth bomber, and the crews that operate them.

"I thought flying planes was really difficult (and) I didn't know how long the training (was for pilots)," said John F. Kennedy High School AF JROTC Cadet Capt. Pauleen Mateo. "It was really nice to get to talk to someone who actually flies planes for a living."

Cadet Capt. Wilma Ventura, AF JROTC, also enjoyed the experience.

"(Getting to see) the planes up close was the best part of the tour," Cadet Captain Ventura said. "(Being able to) go up and see inside the cockpit was really cool."