506th EARS makes contribution to local community

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam ? ?Leave the place better than you found it.? We have all heard it before and the concept is simple, but for the current members of the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, deployed here from the 171st Air Refueling Wing Pittsburgh, PA, the phrase is more than a concept; it is a standard operating procedure. From Kyrgyzstan to Ecuador, the 171st has left its fingerprints on all the communities it has encountered. Some contributions they have made prior to arriving here include buying furniture for a special needs school, raising money to install air conditioning in a children?s hospital, and delivering bicycles. While deployed here in support of the Theatre Security Package the 506th continued their history of goodwill by collecting donations for the children of Machananao School. They hand carried their donations on the flight here. Upon arrival, they coordinated with the school to drop off the donations and also spent time at the school sitting in classes and even participating in recess with them. Led by commander Colonel Dave MacMillan the 506th donated computers, books for the libraries, clothes and also some sporting equipment. They would like to repeat the process at every base they visit. The culture of giving and positive community relations is not always easily initiated. However, ask any recipient of such sacrifice and dedication and you will find that it is also not easily forgotten. (U.S. Air Force story and photos by Airman Julian North)