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

Andersen air traffic controllers face deployed, foreign challenges

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Amidst the cacophony of sounds in the air traffic control tower, a radio hisses to life and spits static transmission. Sometimes the voices coming through the radio are speaking in accented English. An Australian F/A-18E/F Super Hornet approaches the south end of runway and prepares to land during a recent international exercise. Nearby, a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-2 Viper Fighter waits to taxi for departure. The pilot calls in to the tower.

Airmen from the 36th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control hustle to ensure the simultaneous air traffic operations happen seamlessly as the base conducts hundreds of events daily supporting exercises like Cope North, an annual tri-lateral exercise. The controllers face unique and frantic challenges throughout the year and credit the organization's training plan to prepare them for Andersen's unique air traffic mission.

For Senior Airman Nick Luciano, 36th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control specialist, coming to Andersen was a completely different change of pace.

"I have never worked with these kinds of aircraft or the nationalities, so it was a very big change for me," Luciano said. "It's one of those things where you try to catch and learn as much as you can every day."

Staff Sgt. Joshua Corpening, 36th OSS watch supervisor, said no controllers come to Andersen straight from technical training due to its unique aspects and high operations tempo.

All controllers come to Andersen with a little bit of experience under their belt so the majority of their training is learning how the traffic and other specifics of Andersen work.

Senior Airman Shaun Roach, 36th OSS air traffic control specialist, said the best way for new controllers to catch up to speed is by using the tower simulation system, which is comprised of six large LCD screens that provide a 270 degree realistic view of Andersen's airfield and is programmed with more than 100 different scenarios.

Newly assigned Airmen spend at least 30 hours of training time on the simulator before they actually get to do on-the-job training in the tower. They also accomplish 30 minutes of training each month thereafter on the simulator each month to practice for different scenarios.

Language barriers and the consistent rotation of new crews with the deployed aircraft are some of the challenges ATC Airmen learn and adapt to be able to communicate effectively.

"It's common to deal with a language barrier once you come to Guam," said Staff Sgt. Charles Kulat, 36th OSS watch supervisor. "It's especially hard when you're talking to multiple maintenance people and multiple aircraft and dealing with multiple language barriers. Your brain isn't used to having to translate things like that and then having to act on it within the next second."

The controllers said that while day-to-day operations are fairly standard to them, large-scale exercises cause the tower to hum with activity.

The ATC supports four major joint and multinational exercises throughout the year, often bringing in hundreds of aircraft. During Exercise Cope North 2015 in February, the control tower had an operations increase of 270 percent. The other exercises are Valiant Shield, Multi-Sail, and Forager Fury.

"I came into Andersen around the same time Cope North was kicking off," Kulat said. "Working Cope North was almost like shell shock. I saw all of these new aircraft and it shocked me a little bit. I had to learn to multitask and prioritize quickly; I took things as they came."

ATC also supports the Aerial Training Relocation program for F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and the F-22 Raptor. The jets come to Andersen from U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps bases in Japan and Alaska three times a year to do training because the weather is generally more permitting than in Alaska and they can have full use of the ranges here. They also come from Japan to lessen the noise impact near their home base. 

Between the exercises and routine operations, the controllers said operating in the tower here has been an invaluable experience they are grateful to take with them for the rest of their careers.

"I've spoken with air traffic controllers who have had permanent changes of station moves to other bases from here who felt Andersen more than prepared them for their next assignment," Kulat said. "They said Andersen gives you a leg up on other Airmen at different bases who haven't dealt with all of the aircraft.

"This place teaches you more than you think because you're so caught up in the moment you don't even realize you're learning."

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.