Articles

Andersen Air Force Base featured on The Amazing Race

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  • By 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Andersen, Hickam and Minot Airmen and Naval Base Guam Sailors received some national exposure when CBS's popular "The Amazing Race All-Stars" series recently aired an episode filmed on Guam last December. 

The contestants and production crew made their way to the small Marianas island in mid-December for the Guam leg of the race that launched the show's contestants across the island, above the island, and through various parts of Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam. 

"It was not only an honor for the Department of Defense's Entertainment Office to suggest Andersen AFB and Naval Base Guam as possible venues for a future show," said Maj. Richelle Dowdell, 36th Wing Chief of Public Affairs. "It was a privilege to be chosen as the only military installations to be featured in the award-winning reality show's 11 season run." 

According to Major Dowdell, the DoD Entertainment Office worked with the show's producers to find a location and a series of challenges that could test the contestants' strength and intellect. During a site visit in October, each provided suggestions centered around routine training missions while the show's producers, Air Force Airmen and Navy Sailors collaborated to tailor the actual events to fit the show's requirements. 

The 36th Bomb Squadron, from Minot AFB, N.D., hosted the "Engine Care" event. The 15th Air Wing from Hickam AFB and Andersen's 734th Air Mobility Squadron both hosted the "Care Package" event, while Helicopter Sea Squadron-25 conducted the "Search and Rescue" challenge. 

"We are happy to be a part of this reality show, but more than just being an exotic location, we're happy to give the contestants and viewers a glimpse into the Air Force's global reach and power projection," said 1st Lt. Rob O'Day, 734th Air Mobility Squadron. Lieutenant O'Day, who was featured in the episode, handed Charla and Mirna their next clue after completing the "Care Package" mission. 

Bertram van Munster, executive producer, director and co- creator said he was honored to work with the Airmen and Sailors on Guam, and that it reaffirmed his view of the professionalism of our military forces.

According to the DoD Entertainment Office it is important to note that DoD doesn't support every script or story idea that is presented to them. DoD only endorses projects that serve public information goals and depict the military realistically, accurately and professionally. 

"It's ironic that the current Air Force recruiting slogan is 'Do Something Amazing,' because that's what our Airmen do day-in and day-out," said Major Dowdell. "The Amazing Race provided us a primetime platform to showcase the people and the aircraft that help us accomplish our worldwide mission to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests -- to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace."

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