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

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak

  • Published
  • By Airman Basic Anthony Jennings
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  According to the Centers for Disease Control, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a common viral illness of infants and children.

The disease is characterized by blister-like eruptions in the mouth or skin rash. Children below the age of 10 are most susceptible, but it can also occur in adults.

HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth (also called hoof-and-mouth) disease, a disease of cattle, sheep and swine; however, the two diseases are not related and are caused by different viruses.

The CDC says the disease is spread from person to person by direct contact. The infectious virus can be found in nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid and stool of infect persons. The virus is most often spread through unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and virus contaminated surfaces.

"Although there is no specific prevention method for the disease, the risks can be significantly lowered by following a good hygiene practice such as frequently and correctly washing your hands," said Master Sgt. Jenna Tolar, 36th Medical Operations Squadron Public Health Clinic non- commissioned officer in charge.

Other practices that could lower risk of infection include disinfecting contaminated surfaces with chlorine bleach solution and avoiding close contact with infected persons.

The disease typically starts with a fever and a vague sense of feeling unwell, accompanied with a sore throat. One or two days after the fever onset, painful sores in the mouth develop. They may begin as small red spots that blister and often become ulcers. The areas of the mouth affected are typically the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.

A non-itchy rash with raised red spots appears on the palms of hands and soles of feet over the next one to two days. In some children, the rash can appear on the buttocks or genitalia. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores.

The CDC also states that infect persons are most contagious during the first week of illness, but can still spread the disease for a few weeks after symptoms have disappeared.

Rose White, Kiddyland Play and Learn Center director in Dededo, Guam, said she has only noticed one "suspect" case of HFMD among children enrolled in her center and the child has not been back to school since. Ms. White says she has taken it upon herself to implement safe screening measures to reduce the chances of HFMD or any contagious disease from spreading among her students.

"I have in place what we call 'screening.' It's a very quick method of checking each child every morning," said Ms. White, adding she and teachers at her center also check for signs of child abuse.

"We always have a corrective action every day posted at the day care with a list of possible contagious illnesses. The first thing we do is we inform the parents and isolate the kids if we're not sure. We also require a release from the child's doctor saying it's not contagious," Ms. White explained. "The kids, they don't know what's happening or going around. We have to do it; we have to protect them."

The Public Health Clinic encourages anyone showing symptoms of HFMD to schedule an appointment with their health care provider by calling 366-9355(WELL).

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.