36th Civil Engineer Squadron supports community recovery efforts following Typhoon Sinlaku

  • Published
  • By 36th Wing Public Affairs
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  

In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Airmen from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, including Andersen Fire & Emergency Services, supported not only installation recovery efforts, but also communities in the Northern Mariana Islands through a large-scale donation drive.

As part of the 36th Wing’s broader support to Defense Support of Civil Authorities operations under Joint Task Force-Micronesia, 36 CES Airmen helped organize and execute collection efforts for essential supplies, including food, water, and hygiene items, to assist families impacted by the storm.

“Our Keystone Family saw a need and acted,” said Lt. Col. Jesse Lantz, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “Beyond our primary mission, we’re part of this community, and supporting our neighbors during a time like this is something we take seriously.  So, our Firefighters jumped at the first opportunity to lead the charge of collecting on Andersen so that we may help as much as possible!”

Working through Andersen Fire & Emergency Services, a unit within the 36th CES and in partnership with the Ayuda Foundation, volunteers collected more than 32,000 pounds of non-perishable goods, including water, canned food, and hygiene products valued at more than $10,000 in just two days at the Andersen Commissary.

“In the wake of Typhoon Sinlaku, Andersen Fire & Emergency Services was honored to stand alongside our neighbors in the Northern Mariana Islands during their time of greatest need,” said Nino R. Garcia, Department of the Air Force Battalion Chief, Andersen Fire & Emergency Services. “The generosity shown by the Andersen community transformed into tangible hope for families recovering from this disaster.”

Civil Engineers and supporting units coordinated with base agencies and local organizations to gather, sort, and prepare donations for delivery, ensuring critical supplies reached those most affected.

“This mission would not have been possible without the selfless dedication of our volunteers,” said Master Sgt. Justin Miller, Assistance Chief of Operations, Andersen Fire & Emergency Services. “From the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron to the 36th Security Forces Squadron, their willingness to serve reflects the very best of the Andersen community.”

In addition to community outreach, 36th CES continued executing its core mission of restoring and sustaining installation infrastructure, enabling Andersen AFB to remain operational as a hub for ongoing response and recovery efforts.

“To the Andersen community and our Guam neighbors who contributed, your generosity made a real difference,” Lantz said. “What was given went far beyond supplies and sustenance… it sent a clear message that the Northern Marianas are not alone in their recovery and we’ve got each other’s backs!”

Through their actions, Airmen and community partners demonstrated the Air Force’s commitment to service beyond the installation fence line, reinforcing the importance of partnership, resilience, and compassion.

As recovery continues, Civil Engineers remain engaged, supporting both mission operations and humanitarian efforts across the region.

“We’re all in this together,” Lantz said. “And we’ll continue to do our part to help our neighbors recover and rebuild.”

-30-