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624th RSG commander meets Guam Reservists, employers and military partners

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christy Stravolo
  • 624th RSG Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The new commander of the 624th Regional Support Group met with the unit's Guam-based Reservists and some of their employers during a weeklong visit April 21-26.

This was Col. Robert "Randy" Huston's first time visiting Guam since taking command of the Hawaii-based group in January.

"The focus of this trip was to meet the Reservists, thank them for their service and learn more about what I can do to help them accomplish their mission," said Colonel Huston. "I also wanted to meet with some of their civilian employers because the employer is a key enabler to our success."

During his visit, Colonel Huston met with Guam Police Department Chief Paul Suba and Guam Public School System Superintendent Dr. Nerissa Bretania-Shafer. Both agencies employ more than 30 Reservists from the 44th Aerial Port Squadron and 724th Aeromedical Staging Flight, which fall under the 624th RSG.

"Meeting with Chief Suba and Dr. Bretania-Shafer gave me an opportunity to thank them for their continued support," said Colonel Huston. "I also let them know that I understand the difficulties they face when the Air Force mobilizes Reservists who are working for them."

During future visits to Guam, Colonel Huston plans to meet as many employers as he can, including those who employ a large number of the group's Reservists.

Nearly a dozen Guam Reservists are currently deployed to locations including Qatar, Iraq, Germany and Kuwait. More than 90 members of the 44th APS - almost half of the squadron - are slated to deploy in support of contingency operations in Iraq or Afghanistan in early 2010.

Members of the 44th APS work alongside active duty members supporting aerial port operations at Andersen, which is one reason why Colonel Huston also paid a visit to key military leadership on the base.

"We have a tremendous relationship here at Andersen with our total force partners in the active duty and Guard, and I hope to explore how the Reserve can do more in conjunction with our partners to better accomplish the Air Force mission," he said.

Colonel Huston plans to make his next trip to Guam in June.

The 624th Regional Support Group is the largest Air Force Reserve presence in the Pacific with five units in Hawaii and Guam. The group provides the combatant commander more than 650 combat-ready Airmen who specialize in aerial port, aeromedical staging and civil engineering operations for worldwide employment.