85th EIS completes high-speed infrastructure upgrades on Andersen Published Nov. 18, 2025 By Airman 1st Class Xavier Romero 36th Wing ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 70-day project doubled the endpoint network links for the base command and control operations nodes for exercises with coalition forces and missile defense by installing more than 15 feet of fiber-optic cable for non-classified networks, classified networks and allied partner communication channels. The upgrade enables base leadership to conduct critical discussions in a single, consolidated environment and will also allow them to return from the current alternate ICC location, the 36th Mission Support Group building. “The installation control center is the brain of the base,” said Staff Sgt. Declan Ballard, 85th EIS cyber transport systems team chief. “If there is a major weather alert or if the base is in a crisis, then this is where leadership goes to start disseminating information.” Ballard noted the upgrades not only reduce communication gaps for Airmen awaiting guidance from higher command, but also strengthen coordination with allies and partners by streamlining shared communication channels. With the project complete, Airman First Class William Bentley, 85th EIS cyber transport engineer noted a challenge that arose. “One of the challenges we faced was getting the floor tiles removed to access the cables,” Bentley said. “It took about four days just to cut through 50 tiles that are made of concrete and metal. It was difficult, but we overcame it.” The 85th EIS has been engineering projects at Andersen since June 2024 and began the implementation in January 2025, totaling 26 projects. The squadron rapidly engineers, plans, installs and restores cyberspace and expeditionary communications capabilities in contested and uncontested areas to enable Air Force and joint operations. Out of the 15 Air National Guard Engineering Installation squadrons, the 85th is the only active-duty squadron. The team working on the ICC infrastructure upgrades arrived July 2025 during a request for forces (RFF) rotation with the 356th Expeditionary Theatre Support Group, Along with the ICC upgrades, the 85th EIS installed more than 15,000 feet of 48-strand, single-mode fiber-optic cable – about the length of 50 football fields – to support the 36th Munitions Squadron’s Vindicator Alarm Systems, an intrusion detection system (IDS), at munitions storage sites and other systems such as radio networks, navigational aids and Defense Biometric Identification Systems. “The new fiber allows the IDS to be more dependable and reduce nuisance or false alarm responses for our squadron,” said Mark Enaje, a police officer assigned to the 36th Security Forces Squadron. “It reduces the need for increased patrols and facility checks year-round.” The existing fiber had limited capacity, so the upgrade ensures the systems can continue operating if the primary line fails. The squadron is scheduled to return to their home duty station, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi in January 2026. Other 85th EIS members are scheduled to replace the current team in another RFF rotation and work on similar projects in the Indo-Pacific.