Andersen team prepares Wake Island for aircraft

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo
  • Air Force Print News
WAKE ISLAND (AFPN) --  After Super Typhoon Ioke's 165 mph winds, driving storm surge and waves devastated Wake Island on August 31 the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam was the initial assessment team sent in.

"Prior to the storm the experts where all saying there would be no runway left to assess," said Maj. Pat Poon 36th Mission Response commander for the 36th CRG.

"The thought was the waves and storm surge were going to erode the runway or at least cause some major damage so we had to come by ship on the USNS San Jose out of Guam," he said.

With 16 members, their primary objective was to assess the runway, taxiways and ramp to ensure there was no structural damage. If they were deemed suitable for aircraft operations, the 36th CRG was to begin clearing the airfield in order to land aircraft.

In addition to the operational assessment of Wake, the CRG was also tasked to look at the base infrastructure and determine whether or not it could be salvaged. They looked at power, utilities, structures, fuel and support equipment.

To complete the task the CRG brought explosive ordinance disposal, engineers, airfield management, communication, power production and more. Since the team had to be lean and efficient every one of the CRG Airmen wore two hats. Along with their primary job they could drive forklifts and front-end loaders, download aircraft clear houses and even marshal helicopters.

After five days of working long hours the airfield was opened and a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii was the first aircraft to land on the island since the typhoon. The C-17 brought in a 53-person team of 15th Airlift Wing Airmen, Defense Department employees and contractors to replace the CRG.

Their mission would be to put a price tag on the damage and report the finding back to Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander.

"One of our greatest assets in the CRG is we are a one stop shop for all of your base opening needs," said Maj. Poon. With 16 people we were able to open a base run by 188 people."

Once all the new team and their equipment was on the ground and situated on Wake the CRG boarded the C-17 to go back home to Guam.

"The team worked very hard to get the airfield ready for operations. We went at it for 5 days. I can't say enough about the men and women form the 36 CRG," said Maj. Poon.

"We also got a lot of help from the Navy MILDET on the San Jose. They came over three days. They helped drill holes and clean up a lot of the runway and surrounding area. We would not have been able to open the base so fast with out their help," he said.