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Team Andersen supports presidential pacific visit

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina M. Brisbin
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
The 36th Contingency Response Group teamed up with the 734th Air Mobility Squadron and various other units and services to provide support for President Barack Obama during his recent travels to Asia and Australia.

Andersen Airmen worked around the clock for two weeks to coordinate and provide command and control support, aerial port support, secure communications, security forces members, and various equipment pieces.

"Andersen is a strategic base that helps link continents by providing global reach via contingencies, channels, and special missions," said Capt. Chris Kerker, 437th Operations Group readiness chief. "Team Andersen's unique roll and specific skills allowed us to provide timely and precise airlift with missions spanning halfway around the globe."

36th CRG members provided boots on the ground support in five locations for the multinational, multiservice tour. Some of their duties included unloading and loading of all air cargo, sweeping for bombs and providing security.

"This (mission) is highly dependent on our ability to interoperate with the host nations though our embassy country teams," said Col. Leighton Anderson, 36th CRG commander. "Each location is vastly different and provides unique challenges and opportunities." 

The mode of transportation for the people, vehicles and equipment needed for the mission were C-17 Globemasters from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, McChord, and Travis Air Force Base. The Andersen Air Force Base airfield served as the hub for these aircraft.

"Our capability to initiate command and control and provide the required equipment and workers to download C-17 Globemasters as quickly as we do is the reason the 36th CRG is chosen," Tech. Sgt. Ryan Moriarty, 36th Mobility Response Squadron unit deployment manager.

Since the arrival of the C-17s, Airmen of the 734th AMS have operated 24 hours a day to support the mission.

"Andersen, with regards to fuel support, airfield management and overall logistic support has been outstanding," said Senior Master Sgt. Joe Aguirre, 734th AMS maintenance superintendent. "We can't park all these jets without the help of the Airmen of Andersen."

The 36th CRG and the 734th AMS will continue to provide around the clock support until President Obama completes his visit to the Pacific Command area of responsibility.

"Our mission went smoothly and we are extremely happy with the support that was given and received," Anderson said.