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734th AMS opens new air freight terminal

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Arielle Vasquez
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The 734th Air Mobility Squadron hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the grand opening of the new air freight terminal June 26, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

The new $35.6 million air freight terminal complex moved closer to the Air Mobility Command parking ramp and includes a 23,000 square-foot storage area inside the facility and a 250,000 square-foot storage area around the facility. Also, more pallet pits and pit scales for building and weighing cargo pallets were added.

The new facility allows for Airmen to use their time more efficiently and cut down on the wear and tear of the equipment.

Moving the facility closer to the AMC ramp will cut down on transfer and turnaround time. The new layout is also expected to eliminate safety hazards that existed in the old facility, which will provide safer handling of cargo.

"The new air freight terminal is an exciting opportunity that will increase our ability to execute rapid global mobility in the Pacific and to support the growing mission of Team Andersen," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Tucker, 734th AMS commander.

The new home for the air freight Airmen was also constructed to host real-world missions and large scale exercises such as Cope North and Valiant Shield.

"Having greater storage capacity, higher line docks and pit scales are all useful during both exercises and contingency operations," said 1st Lt. Robert Gibson, 734th AMS air freight officer in charge. "With the new facility we can increase real-world operations with the same amount of Airmen we had in our old location."  

Based off 2014 annual averages, the Airmen worked 75 missions per week, loading more than 250 tons of cargo.

"The men and women who work in the air freight terminal give 100 percent day in and day out," Gibson said. "I'm excited to see the great work that's going to come out of this new facility."

Airmen of the 734th work around the clock to enable rapid and decisive global air mobility by providing logistical support and taking care of the passengers and cargo that transit through Andersen AFB, They also repair aircraft as needed.