AMC commander underscores airlift's importance to the Pacific theater

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Bahret
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Enroute to New Zealand where he will embed in Operation DEEP FREEZE missions, Air Mobility Command's commander visited Andersen to reinforce the importance of the AMC's mission in the region.

His flight across the Pacific underscores Guam's strategic value and AMC's contributions within the Pacific theater. With AMC support, Andersen is poised to assist airlift aircraft delivering supplies and personnel anywhere in the world while continuing to project airpower through its deterrence mission.

"(Andersen is) at the farther-most reaches of the Western Pacific," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, AMC commander. "This is America's closest location to our friends and allies in this part of the world as well as to those who wish us ill. They know that American airpower is here poised and ready on a moment's notice."

The six B-52 Stratofortress bombers and 12 F-22A Raptor fighters currently deployed to Andersen are key components in helping maintain stability with the region.

"When you can forward position airpower like we do here at Andersen, it's absolutely critical to our nation," he said. "Guam has been a valuable piece of real estate since WWII. When you talk about deterrence, Guam is a big piece of that."

However, the air refueling aircraft and other cargo aircraft that constantly flow through Andersen sustain the mission.

"Whether it's a tanker passing precious fuel to fighters and bombers sending deterrence signals to those who wish us ill," the general said, "or whether it's a tanker passing gas to a C-17 taking a aero medical evacuated person back home or an airlifter passing through carrying routine cargo and providing an opportunity for Space-A travelers to get here, it all adds up."

In the Pacific, AMC Airmen work along side their Pacific Air Forces counterparts to provide the full spectrum of mobility operations. During his visit here, General Lichte met with Airmen from the AMC's 734th Air Mobility Squadron and Airmen from the 36th Wing stationed here who work together to meet mission objectives.

"We were very impressed with not only the men and women of the Air Mobility Command, they're outstanding folks who've won and garnered some tremendous awards," he said. "We also had the opportunity to interface with some of the great people in this wing who serve as their host. They're doing everything they can to support our mission."

General Lichte also met with Air Force Reserve Airmen from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., operating the KC-135 Stratotanker.

"They're doing a fantastic job supporting the B-52s, the F-22s and everything else that comes through the (Area of Responsibility)," he said. "It's just showing the impact of Andersen Air Force Base."

Worldwide, the AMC launches a sortie approximately once every 90 seconds delivering more than 2,000 tons of cargo and more than 6,000 passengers every day. "Somewhere in the world, that big AMC tail flash is doing what we want it to do and that's bringing hope to people around the world and saving lives every day."

Whether delivering critical supplies though Operation DEEP FREEZE to scientists in Antarctica or humanitarian aide to victims of an earthquake in China or supporting fighters and bombers from Andersen, AMC's role has an enormous impact worldwide, the general said.

"Pushing pallets of cargo and processing people doesn't seem very glamorous, but when you step back and realize the impact that they're having or what that cargo might be ... it's amazing," he said. "Guam is here whether we go with a clenched fist and strike an enemy within striking distance or whether we go with the humanitarian airlift and an outstretched head and that's what it's all about for the Air Mobility Command."