Feature Search

Congressman Skelton, HASC visit Andersen

  • Published
  • By 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Chairman of the U.S. House Committee and Armed Services Congressman Ike Skelton, D- Mo., lead a delegation of 12 members of Congress on a trip here today as part of their Asia-Pacific itinerary that includes stops in Hawaii, South Korea, Okinawa, Japan and Iwo Jima.

While at Andersen members of the delegation met with Airmen from their congressional states and were treated to a tour of the facilities.

"This was a great opportunity for the Airmen to talk directly to our Congressional representatives and show them not only where we live, but also tell them about the cool and exciting things we do here at Andersen," Airman 1st Class Sasha Rodriguez, 36th Wing legal office, said. "We live in the oldest dorms in the Pacific at one of the most strategic locations in the world. Andersen is growing and the facilities need to grow with it."

In addition to a base tour and briefings at Andersen, the group also visited Navy Base Guam, met with various Guam organizations and community leaders, laid a memorial wreath at Asan Beach, as well as Congressman Skelton taking time to speak to University of Guam students and faculty where he briefly touched on the strategic importance of Guam.

"In advancing U.S. interests, Guam is a key element," Congressman Skelton said. "These interests are at stake every day in the Asia-Pacific region."

With its proximity to North Korea, China, the Taiwan Strait, Indonesia, the Philippines and many other volatile regions, Guam's strategic importance can't be underestimated, he said.

Congressman Skelton's committee is responsible for authorizing funding for and oversight for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Armed Forces, along with a substantial portion of the Department of Energy.