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

Mullen: America can't lose its military edge

  • Published
  • By Karen Parrish
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON --  America can ill afford to lose its military superiority, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said Sept. 30, his last day as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Speaking to the audience gathered at Virginia's Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall here to watch him transfer the chairmanship to Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Mullen said decisions made in the coming months will determine what kind of military the nation will have during the next 20 to 30 years.

The admiral noted the U.S. military forces have fought for a decade in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now face "looming threats" posed by Iran and North Korea, challenges in cyberspace and China's growing military capabilities.

"We have become the best counterinsurgency force in the world, but we have done so at the expense of critical conventional capabilities we necessarily let lapse," Mullen said. "We have become the most expeditionary force in our history, but in the process sacrificed some of the basics of garrison leadership and continuity that preserve the health of our all-volunteer force."

Difficult budget decisions are ahead, the admiral acknowledged.

"Cuts in defense spending are fair game. We should do our part," Mullen said. "But cut too deeply, and we will burn the very blanket of protection we have been charged to provide our fellow citizens. Cut too deeply now, and we will harm, perhaps irreparably, the industrial base from which we procure the materials of war."

Mullen said as the senior military adviser to the president and the secretary of defense, he has been fortunate in those he has served.

Addressing Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, he said, "Our time together has been short in days, but long on substance. I consider myself fortunate to have had this opportunity to ... learn from you, as I did under Secretary (Robert M.) Gates - another extraordinary man I consider a good friend and a mentor."

Mullen added, "Thank you for your leadership, sir, and for the trust you placed in me."

The chairman then addressed the American public, as he has in scores of visits to colleges, town halls and other venues across the nation during his "Conversation With the Country" travels.

"The men and women of your armed forces are the best we have ever known," Mullen said. "They believe in what they are doing. All I ask is that you continue to believe in them."

He urged Americans to reach out to service members, veterans and their families -- "to wash over them in what I call this 'sea of goodwill' that I know exists in the country."

War has changed America's service members forever, but it has not changed their dreams, and their fellow citizens can help make those dreams come true, Mullen said.

"Hire them. Help them buy a home. Get them started on the path to an education," he said. "Give them a chance. That's all they want."

America and its citizens are struggling amid a global economic downturn, he acknowledged, and the wars young men and women in uniform are fighting aren't "exactly foremost on everyone's minds."

But they are foremost in the minds of service members in the fight, the admiral said.

"We talk about the resilience of our troops and their families as if it is something apart from the rest of society," he said. "It isn't, or at least it shouldn't be."

America's troops learned to be brave and steadfast in their homes, schools and communities, the chairman said.

"Welcome them back to those places, not only with bands and bunting or yellow ribbons, but with the solemn recognition that they have done your bidding, they have represented you well, they have carried the best of you and of this country into battle," he urged.

Those troops have done things and seen things and bear things in their souls that civilians cannot know, the chairman said.

"Help them through their trials, be tolerant of them and each other," Mullen said. "Give them a chance, and together we will prove the greatness that is America."

General Information

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.