Community Engagement

 

Andersen Air Force Base's community engagement programs are designed to enhance morale, public trust, support and demonstrate that the Air Force is a community partner and a responsible steward of natural resources. We hope to increase public awareness and understanding of the Air Force's mission. Our goal is to foster positive relations and maintain a reputation as a good neighbor as well as a respected, professional organization charged with responsibility for national security.

Community News

AF surgeon general, medical enlisted chief visit Andersen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Quail
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger, the U.S. Air Force surgeon general, completed his first visit to Andersen Air Force Base on April 17.

Ediger was joined by Chief Master Sgt. George Cum, the chief, medical enlisted force and enlisted corps chief, to speak with Team Andersen’s medical Airmen and to gain a better understanding of medical operations on Guam.

“This is my first time visiting Andersen,” Ediger said. “I have been looking forward to visiting Guam and getting to see some of the mission capabilities.”

Leaders from the 36th Medical Group met with Ediger to discuss some of the unique aspects of running a medical squadron on an island geographically separated from most of the world. Some unique aspects the clinic has to deal with is shipment of supplies to and from Guam, which are frequently delayed. This is especially challenging for perishable drugs and laboratory specimens.

“In our laboratory we receive blood samples for testing from patients,” said Lt. Col. James Weinstein, 36th Medical Support Squadron commander. “We have to box the test up, pair the samples, wrap them in dry ice and ship them back to the United States. If they arrive out of temperature due to shipment delays, it will require us redoing the blood test for the individual.”

While lab testing is often more difficult than usual, the high salinity and humidity of the air can cause rust and wear on medical equipment, which increases the need for turnover. All these factors combined, make medical care on the island more challenging than on the mainland.

After meeting with local leaders, the Air Forces senior medical officials toured the various clinics in the squadron to meet with Airmen. Ediger and Cum acknowledged and coined several of the Airmen in recognition for their accomplishments and dedication to the mission on Guam.

“Having this visit is important to us because it also gave us a chance to showcase our Airmen and the incredible work that they do,” Weinstein said. “We haven’t had a surgeon general visit since 2011.”

Ediger became surgeon general in June 2015. As the senior Air Force medical leader, he advises the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force, as well as the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs on matters pertaining to the medical aspects of the air expeditionary force and the health of service members and families.

"The staff here in Guam is doing an outstanding job ensuring our Airmen and their families are receiving world-class medical care." said Lt. Gen. Ediger.

Flyover Requests

The Community Engagement office helps facilitate flyovers and static display requests; however, the process does not start at Andersen Air Force Base. To start a flyover request, a DD Form 2535 must be completed and emailed to 36wg.pa2@us.af.mil and 36wg.pa.comrel@us.af.mil. Public Affairs will submit request for approval from the Air Force Aerial Events office at the Pentagon. Andersen AFB can only consider the request after it has approval from the Pentagon.

Flyovers are considered for aviation-related events and patriotic observances held in conjunction with Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, POW/MIA Day, or Veterans Day (event must be within seven days of the actual holiday dates to be considered). There are some exceptions to policies; those not meeting the criteria can possibly be approved one-time only as an Exception-to-Policy event, provided there is sufficient rationale for support.

Coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration is required for completion of the DD Form 2535. To reach the Pacific area FAA representative, please call (808) 837-8300. The flyover request process can take approximately 60 days to complete. Please plan to start this process 90-120 days prior to date of the event.

Base tours

The 36th Wing offers organized group tours to educate people about the U.S. Air Force, Andersen Air Force Base and its missions. While we try to accommodate specific requests to visit a particular unit or learn about a specific mission, please understand that our mission must come first. Tours are only provided to organized groups such as civic organizations, schools, businesses, and reunion groups. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate individuals or non-organized groups. Certain conditions and restrictions apply to all base tours. Tour groups must meet the following requirements:

Size:
Tours are limited to a minimum of 20 participants and a maximum of 45 (or the passenger capability of one commercial bus).

Transportation:
Organizations must provide their own transportation. Tours are limited to one bus. Requests to use multiple vehicles cannot be accommodated.

Dates:
Tours are only offered on weekdays. Tours will not exceed five hours to include a lunch break, if requested.

Meals:
Meal options on base is limited and only granted upon approval of the Base Commander. The Magellan Dining Inn is a dining option only for ROTC and JROTC detachments.

Mobility:
Modified tours may be granted to those with limited mobility; however, this must be stated on the request form. If not stated, it is assumed that walking and stair climbing is not an issue. 

Base Access:
Any group members over the age of 18 will have to provide personal information, such as driver's license number, date of birth, and social security number, for an Entry Access List, which is required for base access.

To request a base tour, a "Tour Request Form" must be completed and e-mailed to 36wg.pa.comrel@us.af.mil no later than 3 weeks from event date. If your organization has any questions, please contact our Community Engagement office at (671) 366-4202/2228.

 

36th Wing

Phone: 671-366-2228

Location:
Bldg. 23003 Chicago Ave.
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

Mailing Address:
Andersen AFB, 36 WG/PA COMREL
Unit 14003, APO AP 96543-4003
Email: 36wg.pa2@us.af.mil

Customer Service Hours:
Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Public Affairs

Flightline Photo Authorization Requests

Security an Policy Review

Social Media

 

Command Information

Camera Purchase Request

Photo Studio Support

Photo/ Video Support

Trademark Licensing

 

Community Engagement
Sister Village Sister Squadron Program
Base Tours
Aerial Event Requests
Flyover Requests
Environmental Public Affairs

Media Operations

FOIA Requests

Hometown News Release

Media Training

Media Credentials

Engaging The Media Training - Powerpoint

 

Sister Squadron Villages

Community Support

If you would like to request support from Andersen AFB for an upcoming event, go to the following linked information on how and where to make that request:

Flyover Request
Andersen Honor Guard

For activities not included on the list, contact the Community Engagement section one month prior to the event. Provide the basic information for the event (who, what, when, where, purpose of event). It is our policy to support as many requests as possible, but we are not always able to accommodate every request received.

For more information on the Community Engagement program, check out chapter 4 of AFI 35-105, Public Affairs Operations.

Our goal is to foster positive relations with the surrounding communities. Participation in community events by Air Force personnel is desirable and highly encouraged; however, limitations of time, money and mission requirements may make it impossible to grant all requests.