80th Anniversary Special Edition GUAM'S AIR FORCE HERITAGE

80th Anniversary Special Edition

GUAM’S AIR FORCE HERITAGE

1945 — 2025

A NDERSEN AIR F OR C E B A S E

Compiled by Jeffrey Meyer, 36th Wing Historian, Jun 2024

Includes the 36th Wing’s Heritage since 1 Oct 1994.

Any questions concerning this Heritage Pamphlet please call:

36th Wing Public Affairs Office, 366-2228.

1949

1955 1968

1994

INTENTIONALLY BLANK

19 Sep 1921 — 8:35 am, the first recorded flight of any kind from

Guam. The USMC seaplane’s flight log simply stated, “N-9 2335

launched.” It is possible that earlier flights occurred. The Marines

maintained an aviation presence of six aircraft on Guam until 1931.

27 Mar 1935 — The steamer S.S. North Haven set sail from Pan

American Airways’ (Pan Am) San Francisco Bay base at Alameda, CA

to establish flying boat bases in Hawaii, Midway, Wake Island, Guam,

and Manila. On Guam they occupied the old USMC’s Sumay seaplane

facilities. (See Above)

13 Oct 1935 — A Pan Am flying boat, Hong Kong Clipper, Sikorsky

S-42, on its first Trans-Pacific Survey Flight landed on Apra Harbor,

Guam, and taxied into the newly completed flying boat base at the

seaside village of Sumay.

22 Nov 1935 — Amid much fanfare, the first Pan Am Martin M-130

flying boat China Clipper launched from the waters of Alameda, CA

with 1,837 pounds of mail; officially opened the Trans-Pacific route.

This inaugural Trans-Pacific Airmail Flight passed through Guam,

27-28 Nov 1935.

21 Oct 1936 — China Clipper again made history by carrying the

first nine paying passengers across the Pacific Ocean; round trip

from California to Manila in 15 days. Those passengers paid

$1,438.20 (Approx. $24K today) for the round trip ticket. This

inaugural Trans-Pacific Passenger Flight passed through Guam, 26-

27 Oct 1936.

2 Jul 1937 — “Iconic Aviatrix” Amelia Earhart disappeared while attempting to fly around the world. The

last airfield she launched from was Lae, Papua New Guinea, approx. 1,400 miles south of Guam. Her

navigator, Fred Noonan, was well known for the some of the earlier Pan Am Trans-Pacific firsts.

11 Jan 1938 — Pan Am’s Samoan Clipper, a Sikorsky S-42, exploded

near Pago Pago, American Samoa, while on an airmail flight to Auckland

New Zealand. The incident killed Ed Musick, the most famous male pilot in

the world at the time, and his crew of six. Musick was the pilot who flew all

of the Pan Am’s Trans-Pacific firsts through Guam, some with navigator

Fred Noonan. On 2 Jan, he just completed another one of his ‘firsts’ the

inaugural New Zealand to the U.S. airmail flight.

29 Jul 1938 — “The Lost Clipper”, at 6:08 am, Pan Am’s Hawaii Clipper

launched from Apra Harbor, Guam to Manila, Philippines, with 15 people

onboard, but was never seen again. After an extensive search nothing was ever found of the flying boat. Its

disappearance remains a mystery to this day.

8 Dec 1941 — At 0827, just four hours after the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Sumay Guam’s Pan Am facilities

were destroyed by Japanese aircraft. The bombing destroyed the Libugon radio and the Standard Oil fuel

depot. The Marine Barracks and Piti Navy Yard were also damaged. Ten Chamorro Pan Am employees were

killed, and 32 others on Guam and Wake Island were interred for the duration of the war. At nearly the same

time, the Pan Am Hong Kong Clipper II was strafed and destroyed in Hong Kong by Japanese airpower.

8 Dec 1941 — The Pan Am Philippine Clipper heard that Guam had been attacked. It was on a routine flight

from Wake Island to Guam carrying a Flying Tiger pilot and cargo full of airplane tires bound for China. The

Clipper returned to Wake Island where it sustained 60 bullet holes from Japanese strafing attacks. Then

loaded with as many people possible and returned safely to Hawaii. The start of WWII ended Pan Am’s

Trans-Pacific routes. All Clippers were transferred to the US Navy.

10 Dec 1941 — Japanese captured Guam after a series of

amphibious landings at different beaches around the island.

1942 - 1943 — Japanese military built the first two airfields on

Guam, using Chamorro and Korean labor. These airfields were

Guamu Dai Ichi (Guam No.1) at the Orote Peninsula; Guamu

Dai Ni (Guam No. 2) at Tiyan. Guamu Dai Ni, later become

Naval Air Station (NAS) Agana and is now Guam’s main

airport called Antonio B. Won Pat, Guam International Airport,

named in honor of Antonio Borja Won Pat (10 Dec 1908 - 1

May 1987), Guam’s first Delegate to serve on the U.S. House

of Representatives, 1973—1985.

EA R L Y A V I A T I O N O N G U A M , 1 9 2 1 - 1 9 4 4

PFC Art Price, USMC,

photographed this flight over

Apra Harbor, Guam, in 1923.

A Pan Am Martin M-130 flying boat,

Village of Sumay, Guam circa 1935-1936.

Pan Am’s 1930s Logo.

(pamanair.org)

Pan Am Facilities, Sumay, Guam, 1935-41.

Cover Photographs Top: Andersen AFB’s Main Gate signs through the years. (AAFB Archives)

Left: 42d Bomb Sq., 11th Bomb Group, B-24J Liberator takes off from Harmon Field, Guam, 1945. (USAAF)

Right: 19th Bomb Group returns to North Field, Guam (Andersen AFB) after combat mission, 1945. (USAAF)

25 Apr 1944 — The fight to retake Guam started when the 7th Air Force

conducted a joint USAAF/USN bombing/photo reconnaissance mission over

the island with very long range (VLR) B-24 Liberators.

19–20 Jun 1944 — Battle of the Philippine Sea, nicknamed “The Marianas

Turkey Shoot,” was the last major battle between aircraft carrier forces. It was

fought west of Guam. Most of the Japanese naval aircraft were lost during the

battle, including aircraft from Guamu Dai Ichi & Guamu Dai Ni airfields.

21 Jul 1944 — “Liberation Day” American forces began the amphibious

landings on Guam. The landings occurred at Asan and Agat Beaches. This day

is celebrated with a parade down Marine Corps Drive annually.

3 Aug 1944 — First Air Force Aircraft to ever land in Guam. Lt Howard H.

Barrett, USAAF, landed his P-47 Thunderbolt at Orote Field on the current

Naval Base Guam (NBG). The pilot and aircraft were assigned to the 318th

Fighter Group (318 FG), East Field, Saipan. His P-47 was one of 16 others along with three B-25 Mitchells

flying the AAF’s first Close Air Support (CAS) mission over Guam.

8-10 Aug 1944 — The Last Tank Battle on Guam took place on current

Andersen AFB property. Marines first sighted Japanese medium tanks near

pre-war Salisbury-Tarague Trail (Near today’s Main Gate) and the chase/

battle ended on the road that leads down Tarague Beach. Several M4

Sherman tanks fired on seven enemy medium tanks in a short exchange of

fire. The crews abandoned the tanks and retreated over the cliff line.

11 Aug 1944 — Japanese Island Commander, Lt Gen

Hideyoshi Obata’s cave complex headquarters near Mt.

Mataguac, Yigo, fell while under attack by US forces. It is

the same location of today’s “South Pacific Memorial

Peace Park”.

6 Sep 1944 — Construction commenced at Guam Depot

(Later, Harmon) Field, now known as Harmon Industrial

Park. The runway paving was completed on 10 Nov 1944. The three AAF airfields and roads

north of Tumon were constructed by the USAAF’s Engineer Aviation Battalions (EAB)

under the command of the 933d Engineer Aviation Regiment (EAR). Sadly, in the sign of

those times, over half of the EABs in Guam were segregated units.

21 Oct 1944 — The first USAAF flying unit assigned to Guam. The 11th

Bombardment Group (BG), 7th Air Force (7 AF), arrived on Guam, temporally

assigned to the Navy’s Agana Field. Their B-24 Liberators immediately conducted

bombing missions against the Japanese-held island of Palau in support of Gen

MacArthur’s amphibious landings at Leyte, Philippines. The 11 BG would

eventually move down the hill to Guam Depot (Harmon) Field.

13 Nov 1944 — Four Airmen of the 854 EAB began drafting in a tent at Pati Point,

Guam. They braved the jungle, sword grass, Dengue Fever, and Japanese military

stragglers to survey/blueprint the future North Field (Andersen AFB). The first

asphalt was laid on the RWY 06R/24L and nearby hardstands on 17 Jan 1945.

1 Nov 1944 — First US aircraft over Tokyo since Doolittle’s Raid in 1942. The 3d

Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (3 PRS), F-13A (B-29) Superfortress, S/N

42-93852, nose art “Tokyo Rose” flew the mission from Isely Field, Saipan.

4 Nov 1944 — First B-29 Superfortress bombing mission

of Tokyo from the Mariana Islands. The 20th Air Force (20

AF), XXI Bomber Command (XXI BC), 73d Bombardment

Wing (73 BW), Isely Field, Saipan, bombed Tokyo from

high altitude. Remarkably, 18 of those B-29s landed at

Guam Depot (Harmon) Field afterward, easing the strain of

Saipan’s one runway at dusk. These were the first B-29s to

ever land on Guam.

4 Dec 1944 — Commander XXI Bomber Command (BC)

moved from Saipan to Guam. Brig Gen Haywood

“Possum” Hansell moved his command, from Isely Field,

Saipan, to Guam Depot (Harmon) Field near Two Lover’s Point. The same week

marked the arrival of the 314th Bombardment Wing (314 BW) advanced echelon,

the first command wing of North Field (Future Andersen AFB).

GUAM’S WWII AVIATION HISTORY, 1944-1946

Marines moving up Salisbury-

Tarague Trail during the last

week’s of engagements on

Guam, Aug 1945. (USMC)

B-29s & bulldozer at

North Field, Guam 1945.

Guam assigned 98 BS, 11 BG, B-

24J Liberator, S/N 42-109951,

nose art, “Madam Pele.” Japanese

-American high school students

in Oahu, HI, raised & donated

$350k to have this B-24 built.

After the Liberation of Guam, work immediately began construction of five large airfields. Three Army

Air Forces (USAAF) and two Navy (USN). The three USAAF B-29 Superfortress airfields were Guam

Depot Field (Later, Harmon AFB), North Field (Later, Andersen AFB), and Northwest Field.

Insignia of the

11th Bomb Gp.

Airman Charles D.

Buchinsky was a gunner

on a B-29, with the 61st

Bomb Sq., 39th Bomb

Gp., North Field

(AAFB), Guam. He flew

25 combat missions &

received a Purple Heart.

He is more well-known

as actor Charles Bronson

(1921-2003). (IMDb)

8 Jan 1945 — Construction commenced at Northwest Field, Guam, where the progress was slow. Naval

Construction Battalions (Seabees) helped get the base operational by its planned date.

17 Jan 1945 — The First Asphalt Laid at North Field, Guam.

The 854th and the segregated 1895th Aviation Engineer

Battalion’s (EAB) began construction of what became Andersen

AFB in mid-Dec 1944.

3 Feb 1945 — North Field’s (AAFB) RWY 06R/24L was

declared operational when the 314 BW’s administrative C-87 (B-

24) Liberator Express was the first aircraft to land on the runway.

The real celebration began when Maj Gen Curtis LeMay, new

commander of the XXI BC, landed a F-

13A (B-29) Superfortress at the field.

25 Feb 1945 — The 314 BWs first

combat mission launched from North

Field (AAFB), Guam, and participated

in Operation MEETINGHOUSE #1, the first firebombing mission of Tokyo.

25 Feb 1945 — Generals Harmon & Andersen Disappear. Commander Army Air

Forces Pacific Ocean Area (Basically, WWII’s PACAF) Lt Gen Millard “Miff”

Harmon’s C-87 Liberator Express launched from Guam Depot (Harmon) Field.

The next day his aircraft disappeared without a trace enroute from Kwajalein to

Hawaii. Guam Depot Field was immediately renamed in Gen Harmon’s honor.

Also, onboard was his Chief of Staff, Brig Gen James R. Andersen. North Field,

Guam, was renamed Andersen AFB in 1949.

9-10 Mar 1945 — Operation MEETINGHOUSE #2. 270 B-29s from three

Mariana Islands’ airfields dropped 1,667 tons of incendiary bombs from low

altitudes, destroyed over 267,000 buildings, equivalent to 16 square miles of Tokyo

in one night. Known as the most destructive single Airpower event in history. The

mission was led by Brig Gen Thomas Power, 314 BW/CC, North Field (AAFB),

Guam.

27 Mar 1945 — Operation STARVATION, the 313 BW, North

Field, Tinian, began B-29 bombers commenced mining Japan’s

waterways. This operation proved to be the most efficient means of

destroying enemy shipping the last five months of the war.

6 Apr 1945 — History maintains USN submarines discovered the

Japanese super-battleship IJN Yamato first during its fateful sailing.

According to the 3 PRS History, Mission No. 121 Report, the crew

of a F-13A Recon Superfort from Guam recorded the movement of

the Yamato & her escorts near Tokuyama first, about 36 hours later

it was destroyed by USN carrier aircraft.

12 Apr 1945 — Only Medal of Honor of B-29 Operations. Radio

Operator MSgt Henry “Red” Erwin of the 52d Bomb Sq., 29th

Bomb Gp., North Field (AAFB), Guam, was severely burned when

a phosphorus smoke ignited inside his B-29, City of Los Angeles.

“Red” was able to save his crew and aircraft. He received the

Medal of Honor for his sacrifice. The 36th Contingency Response

Group (36 CRG) headquarters was dedicated in his name in 1997.

13 Apr 1945 — POWs Airmen killed in B-29 Incendiary Raid. Lt Col Doyne

Turner, Commander 458th Bomb Sq. 330th Bomb Gp., North Field (AAFB),

Guam was on a bombing mission when his B-29 was shot down over Tokyo Bay.

His unit thought the crew were killed in action (KIA). What they did not know

until after the war was the crewmen actually survived the crash and became

prisoners of war (POW). On 26 May, those POWs were killed during in an

incendiary bombing mission by their own unit that burned down Yoyoge Army

Prison. Japanese captors did not let any POWs out of their cells. In 1946, the old

Turner Memorial Outdoor Theater was dedicated to him and his crew’s honor.

5 May 1945 — B-29 Crewmen used in Experiments. The B-29, S/N 42-65305, 6th

Bomb Sq., 29th Bomb Gp., took off from North Field (AAFB), Guam, on a

bombing mission at Tachiarai Airfield, Empire of Japan. The bomber was rammed

& crashed on Kyushu Island. Eight crewmen survived the bailout. Seven of them

were used in medical experiments & killed at the Kyushu University Medical

314 BW’s Administrative C-87 (B-24)

Liberator Express, nose art “Maximum

Goose” was the first aircraft to ever land at

North Field (AAFB) on 3 Feb 45.

Lt Gen Millard “Miff” F.

Harmon, Commander

Army Air Forces Pacific

Ocean Area

(USAAFPOA).

(Left to Right) Brig Gen Lauris Norstad,

HQ 20 AF Deputy Commander; Maj Gen

Curtis LeMay, XXI BC/CC; & Gen Thomas

S. Power, 314 BW/CC; discuss the after-

math of MEETINGHOUSE on Guam.

Formation of 314th Bomb

Wing B-29s in formation.

School along with other Airmen. The pilot 1Lt Marvin S. Watkins was taken to Tokyo

for questioning, thus the only survivor of this crew.

5 May 1945 — B-29 Crewmen Executed. On the same day, the same squadron, on the

same mission as the above, the B-29 S/N 42-93953, piloted by 1Lt Ralph B. Miller was

shot down by an enemy fighter, then crashed in the sea near Kyushu. After the war, an

investigation revealed five of the crew were executed on 20 Jun 1945. The rest were

listed as MIA, only one Airmen remains were recovered and returned. The co-pilot 2Lt

Joseph H. Finkelstein’s parents published a book in memory of her son and 64 other

Jewish 20th Air Force Airmen who were killed in B-29 actions over Japan.

11 May 1945 — Bomber Exploded. B-29, S/N 42-63571,

52d Bomb Sq., 29th Bomb Gp., call sign “Dracula 44”, exploded and crashed in

the ocean off RWY 06R/24L the crew was KIA. A ceremony was held over the

location of the crash with family members onboard a USCG boat on the 60th

Anniversary, 11 May 2005.

1 Jun 1945 — Northwest Field Guam Dedication Ceremony was attended by

many USAAF and USN distinguished visitors including, Fleet Admiral Chester

Nimitz and Maj Gen LeMay. The 315 BW/CC, Brig Gen Frank Armstrong,

commanded a force of special B-29Bs nicknamed “Eagles”, the name of the top

secret AN/APQ-7 Eagle Radar which allowed the bombardiers to ‘precision’

bomb at night.

13 Jun 1945 — 41st Photographic Reconnaissance

Squadron (41 PRS) equipped with Photo Recon F-5G (P-

38) Lightnings were assigned to Northwest Field.

22 Jun 1945 — B-29 Crash on Base. Capt Carl R. Bauer, accidently crashed the

B-29, S/N 42-93955, nose art “Colleen” 458 BS, 330 BG, 314 BW, North Field

(AAFB), Guam. He attempted to land with a feathered propellor on a rainy night. The

crash happened over the northwest cliff line of Pati Point. Only the tail gunner

survived. In 1997, the remains of Bauer and co-pilot were found in the wreck. They

were recovered and a ceremony was held at the Arc Light Memorial Park in 1998.

25-26 Jun 1945 — Longest Mission of WWII, the crew of B-29, S/N 44-69901,

“Double Trouble”, 60 BS, 39 BG, 314 BW, North Field (AAFB), Guam flew 23-

hours non-stop 4,650 mile reconnaissance sortie over Hokkaidō, Japan. The aircrew met with no opposition

in spite of flying at “Dear John Speeds.”

26 Jun 1945 — First Combat Mission of the 315 BW, Northwest Field, Guam. Although, it was less than

two months before the end of WWII, the wing would complete 15 important combat missions on Japan’s oil

facilities at night.

16 Jul 1945 — 20th Air Force (AF) moved to Guam. From Gen Henry “Hap” Arnold’s office in Washington

D.C. to Harmon Field near Two Lovers Point. It was assigned to the United States Strategic Air Forces in the

Pacific (USSTAF) along with the Gen Jimmy Doolittle’s 8 AF, Okinawa, part of the Pacific reorganization.

B-29 “Colleen” flies in a 330

BG formation. Colleen was

named for the pilot’s one

year old daughter. She

visited the crash site in 2002.

315 BW B-29B inflight

shows the AQN-7

“Eagle” radar antenna

underneath the wings.

GUAM AAF COMMANDS IN 1945 AIRMEN CAREERS AFTER WORLD WAR II

2 Jul, Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific

(USASTAF) activated Harmon Fld.

Gen Carl Andrew

"Tooey" SPAATZ

1st Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF)

1947-1948

16 Jul –1 Aug, 20th Air Force

2 Aug-17 Sep, Chief of Staff USASTAF

Gen Curtis E.

LEMAY

5th Chief of Staff of the USAF (CSAF)

1961-1965

2 Aug– 14 Oct, 20th Air Force

(Note: 18 Jul, XXI BC inactivated)

Gen Nathan F.

TWINING

3rd Chief of Staff of the USAF(CSAF), 1953-1957; 3rd Chairman of the

Joint Chiefs of Staff, (1st USAF Gen. CJCS), 1957-1960

Until 31 Jul, 314 BW, North Fld. (AAFB)

After, Deputy Chief of Ops USASTAF

Gen Thomas S.

POWER

Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC)

1957-1964

Until Oct, 315th Bomb Wing,

Northwest Field (AAFB)

Lt Gen Frank A.

ARMSTRONG

Alaskan Air Command,1956-1961; inspiration for the intense version Brig

Gen Savage in the novel (1948) & movie, “Twelve O'clock High” (1949).

20th Air Force Deputy Commander Gen Lauris

NORSTAD

Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and Commander in Chief, U.S.

European Command, 1956-1962. 1st Airman to hold those posts.

20th Air Force Statistics Branch Lt Col Robert S.

MCNAMARA

8th Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), 1961-1968

Insignia of the

315th Bomb Wing.

LEGENDARY AIRMEN ON GUAM LATE WWII

1 Aug 1945 — Largest WWII Bombing Attack in the Pacific, when 836 B-29s

from all Marianas based bomb wings attacked several locations in Japan.

6 Aug 1945 — First Atomic Bomb “Little Boy” Hiroshima, Japan. Silver-plate

modified B-29 S/N 44-86292, nose art “Enola Gay” was flown by the commander

of the 509th Composite Group (509 CG), Col Paul Tibbetts, from North Field,

Tinian,

9 Aug 1945 — Second Atomic Bomb “Fat Man” Nagasaki, Japan. Another Silver-

plate B-29 S/N 44-27297, nose art “Bocks Car” piloted by the commander of the

393 BS, 509 CG, Lt Col Charles W. Sweeney.

9-14 Aug 1945 — Continued Attacks, many people might think WWII in the

Pacific was over after the second atomic bomb was dropped. There were several

starts and stops to missions as it looked like the war might be over, but all the B-29

bomb wings continued to bomb Japan until 15 Aug, totaling of 1,023 sorties.

14-15 Aug 1945 — “The Last Mission” when the 315 BW’s B-29Bs returned to

Northwest Field, Guam, from a night mission to Nippon Oil, Akita, the morning of

15 Aug, the Emperor of Japan had already surrendered. The 315 BW’s mission

was the last bombing mission, dropped the last bomb, and the last to land. The

blackout caused by this mission along helped to prevent a military coup’ in Tokyo.

17 Aug– 20 Sep 1945 — POW Supply Missions of Mercy. The next

important mission was to supply the POW camps in Japan, China,

Manchuria, and Korea until all the US and Allied prisoners could be

evacuated. Gen Spaatz, USASTAF, ordered the 20 AF to conduct the

airdrop mission and deliver supplies to 154 camps. The range and

capacity of the B-29s made them perfect for the job.

2 Sep 1945 — “Show of Force” Over 400 B-29s conducted a flyover

of Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony aboard the USS

Missouri (BB-63). Although it was Surrender Day in Tokyo, it was a

somber day at Northwest Field. A B-29B crashed on the field after

developing engine problems while on a POW Supply Mission, 10 of

the 12 crewmen were killed.

Brigadier General James “Jimmie” Roy Andersen

Born on 10 May 1904 in Racine, WI. Gen Andersen graduated in the top 4th of his

class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and commissioned as a Second

Lieutenant in the infantry in 1926. Married his high school sweetheart after his

graduation from West Point and went on to served as an infantry officer at Ft.

Sheridan, IL, 1927-1929. He then served as an infantry officer with the 27th Infan-

try Regiment at Schofield Barracks in HI, 1929-1931.

In 1931-1933, he transferred to the Ordnance Department serving at Watertown

Arsenal, Aberdeen, MD, Proving Ground Command; while there he studied at

M.I.T. In 1934, after eight years as a Second Lieutenant he was promoted to First Lieutenant. Transferred to

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, then to Selfridge Field, MI, 1934-1936.

In 1936, he applied for and began training as an Aviation Cadet at Randolph Field, TX. At advanced

Training, Kelly Field, TX, he received his wings as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1937. The

newly promoted Captain then served as part of the defense force for the Hawaiian Islands from 1937 – 1939

with the 72d Bombardment Sq. (72 BS), 5th Bombardment Gp. (5 BG), 18th Composite Wing, Hickam

Field. He flew the Martin B-12A bomber until 1938; then the Douglas B-18 Bolo until his departure. The

commander of the 5 BG at the time was Col Millard F. Harmon.

1940 - 1942, he served as an instructor first in the Ordinance Department, then the Department of Chemistry

and Electricity at the US Military Academy West Point. He was promoted to Major in 1940 and Lt Col in

1942. Also 1942 – 1943, he went on to serve as the Director of Training at the Army Air Force Basic - Ad-

vanced Flying School for USMA Cadets, Stewart Field, NY, where he helped implement the first flight

training class for Army cadets. It was during this time he was promotion to Colonel. 1943 – 1944, assigned

to the Strategy Section of the Operations Division of the War Department General Staff, Washington, D.C.

In 1944, Lt Gen Millard F. Harmon, Commander US Army Air Forces Pacific Ocean Areas (AAFPOA), the

senior AAF General Officer in the Pacific, personally selected Col Andersen to be his Chief of Staff. As

Harmon’s Chief of Staff, he assisted in the final planning and coordination in the construction of the six B-

29 bases in the Marianas and their initial bombings of Japan. He also distinguished himself as the principal

planner for the headquarters move to Guam, which was accomplished by Jan 1945. Promoted to brigadier

general just six weeks prior to his death. Gen Harmon and Andersen’s aircraft disappeared on 26 Feb 1945.

A N D E R S EN A F B ’ S N A M ES A K E

Col Tibbets waves from

the cockpit of the B-29

“Enola Gay” while taxiing

on North Field, Tinian,

just before takeoff on the

Atomic Bomb “Little

Boy” Hiroshima mission.

B-29s of the 58 BW, West Field, Tinian

(Top) & 314 BW, North Field (AAFB),

Guam, staged & loaded for the POW

Supply Missions from Isley Field, Saipan.

MSgt Henry “Red” Erwin, received the Medal of Honor after flying a B-29

combat mission from North Field, Guam. Decoration’s citation reads:

“Staff Sergeant Henry E. Erwin was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading a

group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan, on April 12, 1945. He was charged with the

additional duty of dropping phosphorous smoke bombs to aid in assembling the group

when the rendezvous point was reached. Upon entering the assembly area, antiaircraft

fire and enemy fighter opposition was encountered. Among the phosphorous bombs

launched by Sergeant Erwin, one proved faulty, exploded in the launching chute, and

shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. Smoke filled the

plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. Sergeant Erwin realized that the aircraft and

crew would be lost if the burning bomb remained in the plane. Without regard for his own safety, he

picked it up and, feeling his way, instinctively crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot's

window. He found the navigator's table obstructing his passage. Grasping the burning bomb between his

forearm and body, he unlatched the spring lock and raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage

he stumbled forward into the smoke-filled pilot's compartment. Groping with burning hands, he located the

window and threw the bomb out. Completely aflame, he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared and the

pilot at 300 feet pulled the airplane out of its dive. Sergeant Erwin's gallantry and heroism above and beyond

the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades."

ME D A L O F HO N O R

2 Sep 1945 — Surrender Photos to CONUS. An eligible mixed crew and a B-

29 from the 330 BG, 314 BW, North Field (AAFB), Guam, flew the surrender

photos from Iwo Jima to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Then a train took the

photos the rest of the way to D.C. *Note: Another B-29 from North Field, Tinian,

may have taken the actual documents to the CONUS.

27 Sep 1945-28 Feb 1946 — SUNSET PROJECT, with the war over with Japan,

it was time to return the crews and B-29s from the 8th and 20th Air Forces, and

the B-24's from the Far East Air Force. The flights were flown by combat crews

operating under Air Transport Command (ATC) control and carried passengers

assigned as extra crew members, all Airmen required to be eligible for

separation. The returning bombers passed through the Marianas, Kwajalein,

Johnston Island, and John Rodgers Field (Oahu) to Mather Field, CA. The flow

continued the rest of the year into 1946. By New Year's Day 1946, 653 B-29's

and 601 B-24's had returned to CONUS. The SUNSET PROJECT flights would

lead to many world record flight attempts as maintenance Airmen and aircrews

tinkered with the newest & lightest B-29Bs from Northwest Field, Guam.

18–19 Sep 1945 — Generals’ Record Flight, from Chitose Airfield, Sapporo,

Hokkaidō, Japan, to Chicago IL. Three modified B-29B “Eagles” from the 315

BW, Northwest Field, Guam, with three Generals Barney M. Giles

(USASTAF/DC), Curtis LeMay (USASTAF/COS), & Emmett O'Donnell

Jr. (73 BW/CC) at the controls of each one. They broke several aviation

records, including the greatest USAAF takeoff weight, the longest non-stop

flight, and the first ever non-stop Japan–Chicago flight, known as the “Great

Circle Route.” This was the first such flight of its kind.

1 Nov 1945 — Forgotten Record Flight. Gen Armstrong, 315 BW/CC, led a

flight of three more B-29B Superforts, assigned to Northwest Field, Guam,

Rare color photo of the

19 BW Airmen's Club

in 1952. (Bruce Young)

AFTER WWII NORTH FIELD WAS THE RENAMED 6-TIMES IN 4-YEARS!

1. North Field redesignated on 9 May 1946, to Northfield Air Base Command (P)

2. Northfield Air Base Command redesignated on 1 Mar 1948 North Air Force Base

3. North Air Force Base redesignated on 22 Apr 1948, to North Guam AFB

4. North Guam AFB redesignated on 1 Feb 1949, to North Field AFB Guam

5. North Field AFB Guam redesignated on 15 March 1949, to North Guam AFB

6. North Guam AFB redesignated on 7 Oct 1949, to Andersen Air Force Base

Col Irvine and the crew of the

record breaking “PACUSAN

Dreamboat.” Capt Ruth Saltz-

man was the stenographer on

every flight; sadly, is not

pictured as part of the crew.

POST WWII ERA GUAM, 1945—1950

By mid-1946, the six heavy bomber bases in the Mariana Islands were reduced to just the three on Guam.

Only North Field remained a heavy bomber base. Harmon Field became Harmon AFB and continued its

logistical and maintenance mission. Northwest Field became a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter base. Both Harmon

AFB and Northwest Fields closed in 1949. North Field, Guam, became Andersen AFB where construction of

permanent structures was started.

Greeted upon arrival in

Washington are Generals:

Curtis LeMay (far left),

Emmett O'Donnell & Barney

Giles (far right) pose

with "Hap" Arnold (in tie).

They flew nonstop from Chitose Airfield, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan, to Washington D.C. (The intended

destination of the “General’s Record Flight). This flight was largely forgotten in history since it was

sandwiched between the two more famous flights.

19-20 Nov 1945 — Record Flight from Guam. Col Clarence S.

Irvine and Lt Col G. R. Stanley flew YB-29J Superfortress, S/N

44-84061, nose art “PACUSAN Dreamboat,” to the new world

distance record of 7,916 miles from Northwest Field to

Washington D.C. in 35 hours 5 minutes.

17 Apr 1946 - 3 Apr 1949 — Northwest Field (NWF) converted

to a fighter base. First the 21st Fighter Group (FG) was assigned,

then replaced by the famous 23 FG “Flying Tigers” from China.

These Fighter Groups were equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts

responsible for Marianas Air Defense. NWF became a storage

for many access WWII aircraft from around the Pacific Theater.

15 May 1946 — The future 314th Air Division departed North Field, Guam, after

the 29, 39, and 330 BGs and their squadrons inactivated. This left the 19 BG as

the only heavy bomber group in the Western Pacific.

11 Jun 1946 — F-13A Superfortress, S/N 42-94114, 3 PRS, 311 RW, nose art

“Wild Westy’s Wabbits” crashed in the ocean after takeoff from RWY 06R/24L,

while on a Marianas mapping flight, the crew was killed.

20 Jun 1946 — The former 41 PRS’s 20 F-5G Lightnings (Recon P-38s) were

destroyed by Typhoon DOLLY while in storage at either Harmon or Northwest

Fields.

26 Jun 1947 — President Truman signed the National Security Act which called

for Army, Navy, and Air Force to be equal within the new Department of Defense

(DoD).

18 Jul 1947 – 21 Oct 1986 — Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), under

the terms of a United Nations (UN) trusteeship agreement the U.S. became

responsible for administration of the former Japanese South Pacific Mandate

(Nan'yō-chō) islands. AAFB’s Mission Support Branch’s motto was “U Call We

Haul.” The history of the mission included: Mercy missions, search and rescue,

US Gov’t sorties, parts/supply runs, and general support missions. In return, the

aircraft would bring back fresh fruits and vegetables etc. to Guam for the Commissary to sell.

2 Aug 1947 — 54th Reconnaissance Squadron (VLR) Weather (54 RSW) arrived at North Field, Guam.

54th specialized in early typhoon detection and monitoring. It would inactivate, active, and change

designations of its long rich history.

18 Sep 1947 — United States Air Force! All US Army

air activities were transferred to the new US Air Force

on this date.

15 Oct 1947 — 514th Reconnaissance Squadron (VLR)

Weather (514 RSW). Designations of all of the weather

squadrons were changed to 3-digit numbers. However,

the 54 RSW inactivated and the 514 RSW activated in

its place, using same personnel and equipment.

20 Apr 1948 — Bomber Disappeared. 19 BG’s B-29 S/

N 44-61700 launched from North Field, Guam, and was

never seen again. On 31 May 1948, Memorial Day, Maj Gen Francis H. Griswold, 20 AF/CC, presided over

the dedication ceremony at the Memorial Field in honor of the crew of 11. It the same baseball field by the

current Base Exchange.

14 Apr - 14 May 1948 — Operation SANDSTONE. 514 RSW provided eight WB-29 Superfortresses and

crews for weather reconnaissance and radiation sampling for three nuclear tests conducted Eniwetok,

Marshall Islands. The first penetration of a nuclear cloud by a manned aircraft was flown by Maj Paul H.

Fackler, 514 RSW/CC.

12 Oct 1948 — Building 21000 was opened, nicknamed “The Little Pentagon in the Pacific” it was the first

large completely concrete building constructed on Guam. It served many missions over the years, including

as the Wing Headquarters. The building was demolished

2013-2020.

15 May 1949 — The 20

AF moved from Harmon AFB to

Kadena AB, Okinawa. The 19th Bomb Wing assumed area

control.

15 Nov 1949 — Typhoon ALLYN struck Guam and

destroyed most of Harmon AFB’s structures, the base

subsequently closed. Harmon’s Cliff line housing

continued to be used until the early 1962. Northwest Field

was also closed in 1949.

The hulk of B-29A S/N 44-61789, being used as the Pati

Point Gunnery School on Andersen AFB. It’s wreckage

remains over the cliff line today. (Mann Collection)

P-47N Thunderbolts of the 21st Fighter Group

lined up on the Northwest Field’s ramp circa

May 1946. (315 BW/Ken Moore Collection)

31 May 1948 — Memorial

Day ceremony for the lost

crew of the B-29, S/N 44-

61700 that disappeared on

20 Apr 1948.

Aerial view of Bldg. 21000 when it was the Head-

quarters of the 3960th Air Base Wing in 1955 (USAF)

15 Apr 1950 — Andersen Air Force Base. After the redesignation on 7 Oct 1949,

the official dedication ceremony took place on this date. It was attended by Gen

Andersen’s widow Mrs. Esther Andersen and his son James Roy Andersen Jr., with

many distinguished visitors and old friends.

28 Jun 1950 — The Korean War. The 19th Bomb Group (19 BG) sent its entire

bomber fleet from Andersen AFB to Kadena AB, Okinawa, while still

administratively attached to the 19th Bomb Wing. Four B-29s were flown on

combat missions the very first day. B-29 S/N

44-27288, nose art "Atomic Tom", was the first

large bomber to drop bombs in the Korean

War. The 19 BG flew 645 missions, 5,950

sorties, dropped 52k tons of bombs, lost 91

Airmen, and 20 B-29s, all statistics were the most of any B-29 Bomb

Group of the war.

6 Aug 1950 — The First Rotational Bomber Deployment. Strategic Air

Command’s (SAC) began deploying B-29 and B-50D Superfortress to

AAFB. The base wing supplied security forces and administrative support to the forward-based units.

2 Sep 1950 — 514 RSW Supported Inchon Landings. Typhoon JANE was bearing down on the loading of

Gen MacArthur's Amphibious Force in Japan. Capt Charles Cloniger and crew flew WB-29 Superfort, nose

art “Typhoon Goon” into JANE’s eye many times to monitor

the strength and position of the typhoon. Capt Cloniger

dangerously accomplished this with only 3-engines ensuring

the operation continued for the famous Inchon Landings. He

was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

20 Feb 1951 — 54th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

(Medium) Weather, reactivated and the 514 RSW inactivated

at AAFB continued the typhoon chasing from Guam.

Equipment and personnel stayed the same.

19 Mar 1951 — Last Tarzon Bomb Mission. Commander of the 19 BG, Col Payne Jennings and his crew

were killed after jettisoning an ASM-A-1 Tarzon guided bomb in strike

against Sinuiju, North Korea. The 12,000 lbs. bomb detonated

prematurely and crashing the B-29. AAFB’s old Officers Housing area

near the main gate was possibly renamed “Jennings Manor” in his honor.

12 Apr 1951 — Black Thursday. (Yalu River Bridge Mission) 48 B-29s

escorted by 76 fighter jets were attacked by 36 MiG-15s flown by top

Soviet pilots. Seven B-29s were lost, five of them from the 19 BG. After

which, B-29 gunners were sent to Pati Point Gunnery School on AAB’s

cliff line. The school used the hulk of a WWII veteran B-29A. On 23 Oct

1952, was another bad B-29 vs MiG day, known as “Black Tuesday.”

P E RM A N E N T S T R U C T U R ES

Andersen AFB was originally comprised of rows of temporary wartime

structures called Quonset Huts (Q-Huts). Then from the late 1940s through 1965 the

base was under perpetual construction, transforming the environment with permanent,

typhoon-proof concrete structures.

One especially important area was housing — until 1960 the majority of AAFB’s

Airmen and families lived in wooden prefabricated units, located on base, or in the

detached AF housing areas at Northwest Field, Harmon, MARBO, or private rentals.

Slowly, the base housing areas became concrete. Fleming Heights nicknamed

“Flintstones” houses were completed in 1949. Most of the dorms on the base

were built 1950-1954. Roberts Terrace housing area was completed in 1956.

Capehart Housing’s 1050 units were completed on 2 Aug 1960, thus ended

most of the Air Force’s housing problems on Guam.

Fortunately, typhoon-proof housing was available before Super-typhoon KA-

REN struck on 11 Nov 1962. It destroyed most of the non-concrete structures

on Guam, including much of the base’s remaining WWII-era infrastructure.

Post-KAREN rebuild projects of 1963-1965 resulted in the construction of 15

new buildings including: AMC Terminal, Chapel Two, NCO Club (Top of the

Rock), and the Bowling Alley/Hot Spot/Shoppette Arcade complex.

Following the KAREN Rebuild, apart from upgrades and beautification

projects, AAFB saw very little new construction until after the 9/11 Attacks.

Super-Typhoon KAREN’s total

destruction of Guam’s villages

prompted the construction of

buildings in concrete.

Pre-fabricated housing

unit, circa 1957.

Nose art “Typhoon Goon II” 54 SRS

(W), WB-29 S/N 44-69970. (AWRA)

Two KB-29Ps of the 91st Air Refueling Squadron

(91 ARS) during Operation FOX PETER ONE.

19 BG, B-29 “No Sweat” over Korea,

1950. (Frank Farrell)

KOREAN WAR ERA, 1950-1953

18 B-29s overhead & the

19 BW’s Airmen march-

ing in review during the

dedication of AAFB. (AP)

26 Feb 1952 — WB-29 Superfort Crash. No. 1 Engine exploded on a 54 SRS (W),

WB-29, S/N 44-61640, 125 miles west of Saipan. The aircraft crashed into the ocean.

Four Airmen survived by bailing out and parachuting to safety. Six others were killed.

25 Apr 1952 — Stowaways. 54 SRS (W) Airmen smuggled two women from

McCellan Field, CA to AAFB onboard a WB-29. The two women were offered jobs

on Guam, but opted to pay their own way back home.

4-16 Jul 1952 — Operation FOX PETER ONE (Fighters Pacific, Op No. 1). AAFB

was one of the major hubs for the: First mass movement of jet fighters (60 F-84G Thunderjets, 31st Fighter

Escort Wing) across the Pacific. First mass midair refueling movement of jet fighters (24 KB-29P

Superfortresses, 91 ARS). Longest mass movement of a complete jet fighter wing by air, at the time. Longest

mass nonstop over-water flight 1,860 nautical miles by jet fighters, at the time. First of what would become a

regular occurrence for the USAF.

6 Oct 1952 — Weather Aircraft Lost. 54 SRS (W), WB-29 S/N 44-69970, nose art “Typhoon Goon II” and

its crew were lost while penetrating the eye of Typhoon WILMA, 300 NM east of Leyte, Philippines. First

loss of any USAF Weather Service aircraft while actively engaged with any type of cyclone.

14 Nov 1952 — The 79th Air Rescue Squadron (79 ARS) activated on AAFB. First equipped with SB-29

'Super Dumbo' Superfortresses; later with SC-54D Rescuemasters and SH-19B Chickasaw helicopters.

1952 — Operation CHRISTMAS DROP (OCD). The annual tradition and story began when a 54 SRS (W),

WB-29, Superfortress Airmen airdropped some goodies with a dropsonde parachute down to the people of

Kapingamarangi Island. The annual CHRISTMAS DROP is the longest running airdrop Humanitarian effort

in the DoD and the world. (See later chronological entries for significant OCDs.)

19 May 1953 — B-50D Superfortress, S/N 49-0283, 830 BS, 509 BW, crashed while attempting an

emergency landing on AAFB. The 79 ARS were praised for their quick response and were able to rescue 4 of

the 6 crewmen from the fiery crash. Most of the wreck is still buried in the boonies.

27 Jul 1953 — An armistice was reached ending combat operations during the Korean War. A demilitarized

zone is created along the 38th parallel.

17 Dec 1953 — Worst Accident in AAFB History. B-29MR Superfortress,

S/N 44-87741, 9 BW, redeploying to Mountain Home AFB, ID, suffered

engine failure and crashed into Jennings Manor Officers’ Housing while

attempting to land. The crash killed nine crewmembers and passengers.

Additionally, 10 men, women, and children on the ground were killed..

Typhoon DOLLY occurred and two USN aircraft were lost the same week.

17 Jan 1954 — The Army’s 809th Engineer Battalion started to lengthen

and strengthen the runways, taxiways, and ramp to accommodate SAC’s

new and larger aircraft the B-36 Peacemaker, B-52 Stratofortress, and the

KC-135 Stratotanker.

28 Jan 1954 — Last Executions in the USAF. Two Airmen were hung by an old abandoned hangar at

O P E R AT I O N A RC L I G H T

18 Jun 1965 — Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-52Fs attacked communist positions in South Vietnam

under the code name Operation ARC LIGHT. Gradually, they also hit enemy strongholds in Laos, Cambodia

and southern North Vietnam. Flying at altitudes where they could not be heard on the ground, the B-52s gave

the enemy little warning. Often, the first the enemy knew they were under attack was when bombs exploded

around them. If the B-52s hit enemy forces concentrated for an attack, like during the siege of Khe Sanh and

the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam in April 1972, the results were devastating. The first Arc

Light B-52s were deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, but the 2,600-mile flight from Guam to South Vietnam

took six to seven hours. This distance made it difficult to attack the mobile enemy forces, on the Ho Chi Minh

Trail, plus the bombers required aerial refueling. To reduce the response time and lessen the need for aerial

tankers, B-52s were also stationed at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Air Base, Thailand. Throughout the war,

SAC provided B-52s & Airmen for operations in Southeast Asia while also keeping B-52s on nuclear alert

duties. To meet both requirements, SAC rotated B-52 aircrews into Guam and Thailand on temporary duty

status. When ARC LIGHT operations ended on 15 Aug 1973, B-52 aircrews had flown about 125,000 sorties

and dropped almost 3.5 million tons of bombs. Over half of all ARC LIGHT missions were flown over South

Vietnam, and the rest struck targets in Cambodia, Laos & North Vietnam. - From USAF Fact Sheet

B-52F 1965-1966 B-52D 1966-1973

B-52G 1972-1973

Early – COLD WAR ERA, 1953-1964

B-29 tail leaning against on a

house after the 17 Dec 1953 Crash.

Northwest Field. They were convicted of the 13 Dec 1948, rape

and murder of Ruth Farnsworth.

18 Jun 1954 — SAC established the 3d Air Division (3 AD) at

AAFB as a tenant unit.

16 Oct 1954 — B-36 Peacemaker Deployment. 92d Bomb Wing

(92 BW), Fairchild AFB, deployed its entire wing overseas to

AAFB. The giant B-36s would deploy to Guam, 1954 to 1956.

1 Apr 1955 — SAC took over the base completely when the 3d

Air Division assumed area control and the 6319th Air Base Wing

inactivated. The 3960 ABW activated. The Cold War had arrived to the Mariana Islands.

1 Mar 1956 — Meehan Theater Opened. The first air conditioned theater on Guam

opened its doors to much fanfare at AAFB. Many distinguished visitors (DV)

including GovGuam Ford Q. Elvidge attended the first movie “Strategic Air

Command” starring Jimmy Stewart. It was rededicated on 12 Jun 1957, as the Meehan

Theater in honor of Col Arthur W. Meehan, 90th Bomb Group “Jolly Rogers”

Commander who disappeared during a WWII combat mission from Australia, 14-15

Nov 1943. The outdoor Turner Memorial Theater would close.

5 Aug 1956 — The 41st Fighter Interceptor Squadron (41 FIS) was reassigned from

Misawa, Japan. The 41 FIS was equipped with F-86 Sabres and remained integral part

of AAFB until inactivation in March 1960.

5 Oct 1956 — Operation LUMBER JACK. The first B-47E Stratojets arrived on

Guam. AAFB’s Airmen had to focus extreme attention on Foreign Object Debris

(FOD) awareness thanks to two all-jet powered aircraft units. (See Cartoon)

22 Jan 1957 — Last Superfort. The last B-29 departed AAFB after almost 13 years in

the Marianas. The aircraft a weather reconnaissance version from the 54 WRS.

14 Aug 1957 — B-47 Record. Brig Gen James V. Edmundson, SAC's Deputy Director of Operations, flew a

321 BW B-47 Stratojet nonstop from AAFB, Guam to Sidi Slimane, Morocco, North Africa. He set the B-47

record for distance and time aloft, 11,450 miles in 22 hours 50 minutes.

3 Oct 1957— Fiction novelist James Michener famous for the book “Tales of the

South Pacific” visited Guam while researching for his new book about SAC.

Later, his C-47 ditched about two miles from Iwo Jima. He was rescued, but all

his notes were lost and he never finished the book.

15 Jan 1958 — Weather Aircraft Lost. WB-

50 Superfortress, S/N 49-295, 54 WRS,

AAFB, was lost with the crew of 10 Airmen

in the Category 4 Typhoon OPHELIA, 500

miles west of Guam.

30 May 1958 — First Visit by both B-52 and

KC-135. According to the base newspaper, a

Stratofortress and a Stratotanker, spent the weekend as part of the base

open house event. This was the start over six decades of the partnership

with the B-52, KC-135, and Andersen AFB.

18 Nov 1959 — Numerous UFO sighting around AAFB. There were so

many reports that a entry was written into the annual 3d AD History.

8 Mar 1960 — 41 FIS with the last fighters assigned to Guam, departed.

19 Sep 1960 — The Forgotten Crash. A MATS DC-6 leaving the NAS

Agana Terminal crashed into Barrigada Heights. The crash left 80 of 94

mostly military and dependents onboard dead. This was the worst crash

on Guam until Korean Airlines (KAL) Flt 801 in 1997.

26-31 Jan 1961 — Operation HAPPY HOUR. Martin TM-61 Matador

Missiles were test fired from Northwest Field, Guam, to the island of

Farallon de Medinilla (FDM) in the Northern Mariana Islands.

14–28 Oct 1962 — Cuban Missile Crisis. SAC and the B-47s forward-

based at AAFB were in high alert in response to the tensions in the

16 Mar 1966 —GEMINI 8 RESCUE.

NASA mission went awry & landed

430 miles east of Okinawa, instead of

the Atlantic Ocean. AAFB’s own 79

ARRS, was assigned secondary

recovery force at Naha, Okinawa.

Luckily, the rescue pilot saw the

capsules parachute on the first pass

and 3 Pararescuemen (PJs) jumped

from the aircraft & stood by the

capsule until a USN destroyer arrived.

1st B-36J Peacemaker arrived at AAFB, 1 Oct

1954. It carried the 92 BW’s ADVON team.

The rest of the Wing arrived 16 Oct 1954.

The first deployed B-52B to

land was the “City of El

Paso” S/N 53-0394.

15 B-47s lined up on the South Ramp, AAFB, circa 1956. (USAF)

Caribbean.

11-12 Nov 1962 — Super-Typhoon KAREN. Category 5 winds struck Guam with veracity killing 11 people

and approximately 45,000 were left homeless. Nearly everything not made of concrete was severely damaged

or completely gone.

13-17 Nov 1962 — Operation HANDCLASP, as part of KAREN Relief, PACAFBASECOM agencies at

Hickam AFB, HI, operated 24-hours-a-day to support military dependents evacuated from Guam. In addition,

the USAF joined other military/civilian agencies collected donations of food, clothing, and other items to be

flown or shipped to Guam.

4 Dec 1962 — Super ‘Connie’ Crash. USAF C-121G Super Constellation, S/N 54-4066, crashed on Nimitz

Hill, Guam, while carrying humanitarian supplies for KAREN’s recovery efforts. 3 of 8 Airmen were killed.

29 Mar 1964 — First B-52 Rotational Deployment. B-52B Stratofortresses from the 95th and 22d Bomb

Wings arrived for 90-day deployment to replace the B-47s on SAC’s Cold War REFLEX ALERT.

15 Jun 1964 — The 1507th Support Squadron and the MATS terminal moved from NAS Agana to AAFB.

18 Jun 1965 — ARC LIGHT One. The first B-52 bombing mission over

Vietnam. 30 B-52Fs launched from AAFB. Tragically two of the BUFFs

collided in midair and eight crewmen were lost.

29 Jun 1965 — Last Stratojet. The 54 WRS’s WB-47E departed, ending

the Stratojet’s nine-year run.

17 Sep 1965 — CORONA PROJECT. Satellites were used for

photographic surveillance of

adversaries from 1959 to

1972. As part of CORONA,

the Guam Tracking Station

became operational, first as a

mobile unit, at Northwest

Field. Today, its part of the

new U.S. Space Force; namely

Det. 2, 21st Space Operations

Squadron, Space Delta 6.

12 Apr 1966 — Operation ROLLING THUNDER. B-52Ds from

Andersen AFB, Guam, struck North Vietnam for the first time.

Although depicted as the symbol of Rolling Thunder, the B-52

flew less than one percent of all sorties.

c. Dec 1966 — Operation PURPLE DRAGON. During the early

Vietnam War, it seemed the enemy knew when B-52 strikes from

Guam were coming. PURPLE DRAGON was the investigation to

find out why. Today’s Airmen practice it, specifically Operational

Security (OPSEC).

20 Mar 1967–5 Jul 1972 — Operation POPEYE. AAFB’s tenant

unit the 54 WRS operated/rotated three modified WC-130A Hercules from Udon AB, Thailand. The crews

seeded clouds in an attempt to make it rain and to extend the monsoon season over the Ho Chi Minh Trail; in

an effort to slow/stop the flow of war materials into South Vietnam.

The 54 WRS ’s slogan was, "Make Mud, Not War." Nothing

conclusive if it worked or not.

10 Apr 1967 — Operation POKER DICE. SAC sent three B-52Ds

from AAFB to U-Tapao AB, Thailand, officially opening the base

for B-52 combat operations. An important BUFF base during the

Vietnam War, as it shorten the distances to target, with no in-

flight refuelings, compared to the grueling 2,600 mile sorties from

Guam.

7 Jul 1967 — Crumm Tragedy. Maj Gen William J Crumm, 3 AD,

commander, AAFB, was lost on his fini-flight when the B-52D call

sign RED 1 collided with another B-52D call sign RED 2. Both

bombers crashed about 20 miles off the Vietnam coast. Gen Crumm

is the highest ranking US military officer missing in action from the

Vietnam War, presumed dead.

VIETNAM WAR ERA, 1965-1975

21 Mar 1967 — Super DV Day. President

Johnson, South Vietnam President Nguyen

Van Thieu, & PM Nguyen Cao Ky; plus,

all of the President’s Cabinet visited

AAFB. President awarded 12 B-52F Crew-

dogs with medals & spoke in front of the

current 36 WG HQ. in the rain. It was also

the first time Andersen Radio broadcasted

a live event to AFRT & around the world.

(Top) B-52D S/N 55-0100 “Old 100” drops its

ordnance over Vietnam c.1966. Arguably the

most famous photograph of ARC LIGHT.

(Bottom) “Old 100” became the centerpiece of

the Arc Light Memorial, 1974-1983.

30 Dec 1965, Maj Gen Crumm pre-

sents comedian Bob Hope a plaque at

AAFB. Bob Hope performed his USO

Christmas Show on Guam nine times

in the years 1957, 1962, 1964, 1965,

1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1972.

Andersen AFB’s operations evolved significantly with the arrival of the first B-52Bs in 1964. On 12 Feb

1965, 30 more B-52Fs arrived as the U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia escalated. Soon the eight-year

campaign called Operation ARC LIGHT would begin. It was during this time that Andersen AFB, Guam,

became synonymous with the B-52.

8 Jul 1967 — B-52 Misfortune Da Nang. B-52D, S/N 56-0601,

attached to the 4133 BW (P), AAFB, diverted to Da Nang, South

Vietnam, for an emergency landing because of electrical and hydraulic

systems problems. Upon landing the bomber overran the end of the

runway, broke up, and caught fire in a mine field. All forward

crewman were killed. The gunner was the only survivor.

23 Jan 1968 — Operations PORT BOW & NIAGARA. After North

Korea seized the USS Pueblo, SAC sent nine more B-52Ds to AAFB,

then another 15 CONUS based B-52Ds were sent to Kadena AB,

Okinawa. Although not used in North Korea, the extra BUFFs

supported the close air support (CAS) during the “Siege of Khe Sanh.”

24 Sept 1968 — KC-135 Major Accident. The Stratotanker, S/N 55-

5133, crashed landed on Wake Island while returning deployers to

Pease AFB, NH, from AAFB, Guam. A1C Allan S. Major, 509 Bomb

Wing’s Historian died with 10 other Airmen. Allan S. Major Award,

recognizes an USAF historian assigned to a single-person history office.

28 April-18 June 1969 — Operation GROMET II. A

severe drought in the Philippines 1968 and 1969 led their

government to try cloud seeding (See POPEYE) to increase

rainfall with the help of the U.S. military. 58 silver iodide

cloud seeding missions were conducted over the islands.

These sorties were conducted by the AAFB’s 54 WRS, WC

-130s. The only Airmen to be killed in either GROMET II

or POPEYE operations was Capt Charles Booker, ARWO,

on 16 May 1969, when the silver iodide seeding device

exploded on WC-130E, S/N 64-0554, causing fatal injuries.

Overall, the missions flown were considered highly

successful.

10 May 1969 — B-52D Crash. B-52, S/N 56-0593, attached

to the 4133 BW (P), AAFB, crashed into the ocean after

takeoff from AAFB on a combat mission to Vietnam, no survivors.

27 Jul 1969 — B-52D Crash. BUFF, S/N 56-0630, attached to the 4133 BS (P), AAFB, suffered structural

failure just after lift-off from AAFB and crashed into the ocean, no survivors.

1 Apr 1970 — 8AF moved to Guam. 8th Air Force

replaced the 3d Air Division; the 43d Strategic Wing

replaced the 3960th Strategic Wing; and the 4133d

Strategic Wing (Provisional) inactivated at AAFB.

18 Apr 1970 — F-4 Phantom II Crash. The F-4D, S/N

65-0616, 12 TFW, transiting to the Vietnam War

crashed on AAFB during take off. One of the crew was

killed and one injured. On 12 Feb 2019, the wreckage

was rediscovered by the 36WG/CC & CV!

10 Jul 1970 — The first C-5 Galaxy landed at AAFB

1-30 Aug 1970 — Hollywood Movie, “Noon Sunday”

was filmed at Tarague Beach and other locations on

Guam.

8 May 1972 — Operation LINEBACKER I. President Nixon authorized bombings in North Vietnam to push

back the North Vietnamese Army’s (NVA) Easter Offensive. B-52s from

AAFB and U-Tapao participated .

8-9 Jul 1972 — Crewdogs Bail Out in Typhoon’s Path. The crew of B-

52G S/N 59-2600, 72 BW, bailed out of their ailing aircraft approx. 300

miles west of AAFB after takeoff. Typhoon RITA was bearing down on

them. Rescue and weather aircraft from Guam were overhead, but no

surface ships could reach the crew because of the 40 foot seas and typhoon

force winds. Amazingly, two USN submarines the USS Barb and USS

Gurnard rescued all but one of the crewmen!

12 Jul 1972 — Air Traffic Control Tower Opened. AAFB’s current tower

officially began operations. Its 168.5 feet tall with 223 steps. When it was

built it was the tallest structure in the AF.

25-26 Oct 1972 — Largest EVAC in AAFB History. Typhoon OLGA was bearing down on Guam, all of the

Operation BULLET SHOT’s over 175 aircraft evacuated to other locations in the Pacific Region. The

typhoon never hit Guam.

18-29 Dec 1972 — Operation LINEBACKER II. When North Vietnam showed unwillingness to negotiate

the end of the war, the Pres. Nixon unleashed the B-52s out of AAFB and U-Tapao. During this “11-Day

War” there were over 153 B-52s on the ramp supported by an estimated 15,000 Airmen (a third of whom

Vietnamese refugees in a line at

“Tin City” AAFB, Guam., 1975.

12 Feb 1972 — Operation BULLET SHOT, SAC’s

5-phase mission to bring more B-52s into Southeast

Asia in response to intelligence reports North Vi-

etnam planned to invade South Vietnam. Over 200

B-52s, crews, and maintainers rotated through Guam

and U-Tapao AB, Thailand, for the next 18 months.

21 Feb 1966, Brig Gen Jimmy

Stewart, USAFR, famous Actor (Left)

flew a B-52F ARC LIGHT mission from

AAFB during Vietnam. Gen Crumm is

in the center of the photo. (AAFB Archives)

1972-1973 — Operation BULLET SHOT, there were so

many large wing aircraft on AAFB’s ramp that KC-135s

were backed up on the old WWII B-29 hardstands with

their tails hanging Arc Light Boulevard like trees!

were maintainers). 15 B-52s lost, 8 from AAFB. The Paris Peace

Accords were signed on 27 January 1973.

15 Aug 1973 — Last ARC LIGHT Mission. Three B-52Gs bombed

locations in Cambodia prior to the cease fire order.

26-29 Oct 1973 — Oil Embargo Crisis. BULLET SHOT’s 86 B-52s

redeployed to the CONUS during the crisis. Annual Operation

CHRISTMAS DROP was also canceled, the only time since 1952.

12 Feb 1974 — ARC LIGHT Memorial Dedication. The ceremony was

held exactly one year after the release of the Vietnam War POWs. The

memorial honored 75 B-52 crewdogs killed during the Vietnam War

when 33 B-52s were lost.

20 Apr 1974 — C-130 Hercules Crash. S/N 62-1841 crashed on the base

after takeoff on a flight to CONUS. The wreckage is still located below

the cliff line.

12 Dec 1974 — B-52 in the Water. B-52D, S/N 55-0058, 43 SW, AAFB, crashed into the water after

instrument malfunction, followed by loss of control. Two Airmen survived the bail out of the aircraft

approximately 25 miles west of Andersen AFB.

23 Apr 1975 — Operation NEW LIFE. North Vietnam invaded the South, which caused a major refugee

crisis. AAFB received more than 34,000 of the 112,000 refugees who arrived on Guam. By August, over

109,000 were processed through and departed out of AAFB to CONUS.

23 Dec 1975 — YOUNG TIGERS Ceased Ops. The last KC-135 Stratotankers still operating under the

Vietnam War Era moniker “Young Tigers” departed AAFB, Guam.

c. Jan 1976 — Military Housing in Andersen South started to be built.

21-22 May 1976 — Super Typhoon PAMELA, hit Guam with an estimated winds of

138 mph, gusts over 167 mph, and over 22 inches of rain in 24-hours. On AAFB,

communication with the outside world was lost for 14 hours, the runways were

flooded and buried under debris. 23 May - 9 June, the 605th Military Airlift Support

Squadron (605 MASS) handled 2,652 tons of cargo from over 86 aircraft sorties.

21-25 Aug 1976 — Operation PAUL BUNYAN. B-52Ds from AAFB along with

many other U.S. aircraft responded to the Korean DMZ. On 18 Aug 1976, “Axe Murder Incident” when two

U.S. soldiers were killed by North Korean Army personnel over a disagreement about a tree being trimmed

on the border. During PAUL BUNYAN the tree was completely cut down with no further incident.

c. Sep 1977 — Guam Sister Village Program, began to promote community between AAFB & the villages of

Guam. Squadrons assisted with community service , such as building bus stops & cleaning up debris after

typhoons. Villages reciprocated by inviting

squadrons to community events making the military

feel welcome.

26 Feb 1982 — “The BUFF & Pump House” B-

52D, 55-0099, 43 SW, AAFB, was damaged

beyond repair during engine maintenance run. It

jumped chocks and collided with a concrete fuel

pump house. The lower half forward fuselage was

crushed from the tip of the chin radome to the

March 1983 — Three Different Operational B-52 Models on the Same Ramp at the Same Time. This historic

event was probably the first and last time three different operational B-52s were at the same operational base

at he same time. (Left to Right) The B-52H, possibly the first time at AAFB, it was 1 of 3 returning from

Australia. The B-52G was 1 of 4 at AAFB to augment the MINEX part of TEAM SPIRIT ‘83. The B-52D

was assigned to the 43 BW, 1 of 14 assigned to AAFB. The B-52D’s were going to fly off into the sunset

later that year. The B-52G replaced them until they departed AAFB in 1990. (Tropic Topics, Mar 1983)

Super Typhoon Pamela’s destructive

nature can be seen in this photo. In the

background, all the windows, except

one, were blown out of the tower.

Late-COLD WAR thru Early-PACAF Era, 1976-1994

6 Oct 1987, A B-52G

was almost shot down

by someone shooting a

M-14 at the aircraft!

Bullets caused hydrau-

lic system failures. The

crew managed to emer-

gency land at AAFB.

(AAFB Archives)

Andersen AFB quieted considerably after Operation NEW LIFE. The post-Vietnam period brought the

return to routine operations. AAFB continued to be a vital overseas platform for carrying out SAC’s global

deterrence mission. Nonetheless, a new enemy surfaced the next 18 years; what was it? Nature! A major

Earthquake, a Volcano Evacuation, and many Typhoons! Guess the Airmen won, since we are still here.

Last B-52D “Tall Tail” takes

off from AAFB in 1983..

forward edge of the wheel well.

18 Feb 1983 — First visit to AAFB by a KC-10A Extender.

7 Mar 1983 — Largest B-52 Mining Exercise (MINEX) to

date, TEAM SPIRIT ‘83, was conducted off the South Korean

coast with seven B-52D’s and four B-52G’s, along with eight

KC-135s all flew sorties from AAFB.

12 Oct 1983 — The Last Tall Tail. The last B-52D, known for

their Vietnam Era black and camouflage paint scheme, departed

AAFB. During Operation LINEBACKER II, the same B-52, S/N 56-0676, was the first B-52 to shoot down

an enemy aircraft. It is currently on static display at Fairchild AFB, WA.

28 Feb 1986 — Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos was exiled to

the U.S., his first stop was AAFB, Guam.

2 May 1986 — President Ronald Reagan visited AAFB.

24 Dec 1986 — First Rota Walk. Although there were similar events during the

holidays in years before, the 1986 Rota Walk was the genesis of how Holidays

are celebrated on Rota Drive today. It even had a similar name, but was a

tranquil event until the arrival of the 13th Air Force (13 AF) in 1991.

17 Sep 1987 — Thunderbirds. The first ever performance of the Thunderbirds

at AAFB. It coincided with the 40th USAF birthday and AAFB’s Open House.

c. Oct 1988 — The host 43d Bombardment Wing traded its nuclear deterrent

role for a conventional mission, and in the next year began redeploying it B-

52s to CONUS. The 43d would see inactivation on 30 Sept 1990.

1 Oct 1989 — 633rd Air Base Wing (633 ABW). The thawing

of the Cold War, AAFB became part of Pacific Air Forces

(PACAF) and saw the activation of 633 ABW. Although the

633d’s life on Guam was relatively short, it would be an

interesting 5-years.

1990–2011 — AAFB designated as emergency Space Shuttle

landing site.

27 Mar 1990 — The Last B-52G. to ever permanently

assigned to AAFB departed to Australian Aviation Heritage

Centre, Darwin. the SAC’s 60 BS continued to fly B-52s out

of Guam until Mar 1990.

17 Jan 1991 — Operation DESERT STORM. 34 Airmen from

Guam were deployed to Middle East in support. On 1 Oct

1990, the 1500th Strategic Wing (Provisional) activated with

six B-52Gs less than a year after the 60 BS departed. The 1500

SW (P) sent the B-52Gs to Diego Garcia to replace BUFFs that

flew combat missions the first day of air operations.

20 Aug 1991 — Amn Laurie Lucas, 633d Security Police

Squadron (633 SPS), died from wounds sustained in MIDNIGHT TRAIL training exercises.

2 Dec 1991 — 13th Air Force (13 AF). An official flag raising ceremony was held at the current HQ Bldg.

for the 13 AF who moved from the Philippines to Guam after Clark AB was closed. The Pinatubo eruption

and non-renewal of RP-US Military Bases Agreement,

29 Dec 1991 — SSgt Stacey Levay, 633 SPS, was murdered while escorting the Commissary’s cash box to

be deposited at the old Bldg. 21000. Jose Simoy, a Security Forces Airman, was convicted in the murder.

23 Jan 1992 — B-52G Blown Up. A veteran DESERT STORM BUFF, S/N 58-0234, was blown up and

scrapped at AAFB. After Depot Maintenance Airmen found an unrepairable unflyable condition.

21-29 Jul 1992 — Nasion Chamoru Protests. USAF’s Potts Junction entrance to Northwest Field and NAS

Agana were sites of protests by future Guam Senator Angel Santos and his Nasion Chamoru Activist Group.

28-29 Aug 1992 — Super Typhoon OMAR. The strongest typhoon since

1976 (PAMELA). OMAR caused severe damage to AAFB and the

surrounding areas. US Navy unit VRC-50’s KC-130F B/N 149793 was

crushed in a partially collapsed hangar. The Hercules was resurrected and

flew again.

8 Aug 1993 — 8.1 Earthquake! Known as the “8.1”, the USGS later

reduced it to an 7.8 magnitude. There were four aftershocks over 5

magnitude. It caused various damages across Guam. On AAFB the

damages included: 1) Tower swayed 8-10 feet and a fire broke out on the

15th floor; 2) Current 36 MXS Bldg.18006 had to be abandoned until

major repairs were completed; 3) Over 90,000 bombs fell off their racks; 4)

Loss of power and water; and 5) two injuries. In spite of the damage,

AAFB was declared ready for air ops within 14 hours after the quake.

Airmen deployed from AAFB

return to a Heroes’ Welcome

after Operation DESERT

SHIELD & STORM in 1991.

14 May 1988 — First Lancer. B-1B Lancer, S/N

85-0072, nose art “Polarized” landing at AAFB.

12 Jun 1991 — Operation FIERY VIGIL. The

volcano Mt. Pinatubo, RP., erupted in close prox-

imity to Clark AB. In the wake of the eruption,

then a typhoon; more than 21,000 U.S. Military,

family members, and pets evacuated from the

Philippines. Eventually, all the evacuees made it

to AAFB, Guam, for processing to CONUS.

Photo: FIERY VIGIL evacuees being processed

in one of the old metal hangars at Andersen.

1 Oct 1994 — USN Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 5 (HC

-5). Not only did the 36 ABW activate on this date, but another

unit moved to AAFB too. The HC-5 “Providers” moved from

NAS Agana equipped with HH-46A Sea Knights. On 21 Apr

2005, HC-5 redesigned as the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron

(HSC) 25 “Island Knights” equipped with MH-60S Sea Hawks.

5 Feb 1996 — First B-2

Spirits. The first B-2 stealth

bombers to land on Guam were

the 509th Bomb Wing’s Spirit

of Washington and Spirit of

California. They were on a

stopover for the Singapore Air

Show.

2-3 Sep 1996 — Operation DESERT STRIKE. Saddam Hussein attacked

Kurds and seized the city of Irbil in a zone protected by the U.S. In

response, Operation DESERT STRIKE commenced. The two B-52Hs

from Barksdale AFB started and ended their mission at AAFB, fired 13

conventional air launched cruise missiles (CALCM) against Iraqi targets

simultaneously with the USS Carl Vinson Battle Group in the Persian

Gulf.

6 August 1997 — Korean Air Flt 801. The Boeing 747 crashed on Nimitz

Hill killing 228 of the 254 passengers and crew onboard. All military

services on Guam assisted with emergency and the recovery efforts.

8 Nov 2000 — 613th Contingency Response Squadron (613 CRS)

activated. Assigned to the 13th Air Force.

11 Apr 2001 — VALIANT RETURN. On 1 Apr 2001, an USN

EP-3 Aries II was involved in the accidental collision with a

Chinese fighter jet and it landed at Hainan Island, China. On 11 Apt

2001, a Continental Airlines jet retrieved the crew from China and

flew them to their first U.S. soil, AAFB, Guam; where they spent a

few hours before departing on an C-17 to Hickam AFB, HI.

21-23 May 2001 — Joint CAPEX. AAFB hosted PACAF

sponsored Combat Ammunition Production Exercise (CAPEX) for the first time. It was also the first Joint

Services CAPEX. 300 service members from three different branches of the military participated.

11 Sep 2001 — 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. At 2246L (Guam Time), American

Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade

Center, NY. By early 12 Sep, the 36 ABW went into FPCON Delta in

response to the terrorist attacks.

14 Sep 2001 — Operation NOBLE EAGLE. After the terrorist attacks in

New York, Washington DC, and

Pennsylvania, the 36 ABW hosted the

VMFA-212 Lancers, USMC F/A-18

Hornets, MCAS Iwakuni. The VMFA-212

flew combat air patrol missions over Guam.

They were the first USMC squadron to

deploy after the 9/11 Attacks. At nearly the

same time, the USN Aegis cruiser USS

Cowpens (CG-63), from Yokosuka, Japan,

stood naval air defense offshore of Guam.

Sep 2001—July 2002 — Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. AAFB’s flight

11 Apr 2001 — VALIANT

RETURN at AAFB, Guam. (CNN)

16 Sep 1996 - 30 Apr 1997 —

Operation PACIFIC HAVEN. After

Operation DESERT STRIKE,

“Team Andersen” supported 6,572

Kurdish refugees for six months.

Rows of KC-135s and KC-10s on the North Ramp during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, 2001.

21 June 1999 — First Cope North

Guam. Exercise COPE NORTH ‘99

was the first time the Japan Air Self-

Defense Force (JASDF) deployed

outside of Japan since WWII.

B-52H’s First Combat Mission. Op DESERT

STRIKE, 1 of 2 BUFFs shown here returning

to AAFB, Guam, on 3 Sep 1996. (USAF)

Wreckage of KAL-801 smolders in the

morning of 6 Aug 1997, after crashing on

the Nimitz Hill. (Troy R. Wegleitner, DoD)

36TH WING ERA 1994 — CURRENT

On 1 Oct 1994, the 36th Air Base Wing (36 ABW) activated at Andersen AFB; the 633 ABW was inactivated.

Prior to Guam, the 36th was a Fighter Wing (36 FW) at Bitburg AB, Germany. Other units also moved from

USAFE and activated on Guam that day were the: 36 LG (now MXG), 36 MDG, 36 SPTG (now MSG), 36

CES, 36 CONS, 36 CS, 36 MDOS, 36 MDSS, 36 MSS (now FSS), 36 MXS, 36 OSS, 36 SFS, 36 SPTS (now

LRS), & 36 CPTF (now CPTS). See 36th Wing Heritage Pamphlet for pre-1994 History.

line served as the epicenter for air bridge activity supporting and

servicing 3,211 aircraft, 38,000 passengers and 60,000 tons of cargo.

7 Oct 2001 — US Combat Operations began in Afghanistan. Det. 1, 13

AF (Det. 1, 36 MSG), Diego Garcia, BIOT, provided facilities,

munitions, vehicles, ground equipment, supplies and fuel to sustain the

deployed bomber and tanker combat operations of the 40th Air

Expeditionary Wing (40 AEW).

30 Sep 2002 — USAF-Wide Changes. The following groups

redesignated: 36th Logistics Group became the 36th Maintenance Group

(36 MXG) and the 36th Support Group became the 36th Mission Support

Group (36 MSG).

8 Dec 2002 — Super Typhoon

PONGSONA. AAFB endured typhoon

strength winds for more than 17 hours.

Sustained winds reached 120 mph and

gusts were reported at 156 mph. The

total rainfall came to over 17 inches.

The widespread damage caused an

estimated $112.1 million.

28 March 2003 — 613th Contingency Response Group (613 CRG)

activated on AAFB. Also activated under the 613 CRG were the 613th

Mobility Response Squadron (613 MRS) and 613th Security

Forces Squadron (613 SFS).

9 Jul 2004 — 36th Munitions Squadron (36 MUNS) reactivated. It

had been inactive since 1979.

2 Mar 2005 — First B-2 Spirit CBP. 393rd Expeditionary Bomb

Sq. (393 EBS) was the first B-2 Spirit unit to deploy in Continuous

Bomber Presence (CBP).

29 Apr 2005— Theater Security Package (TSP). AAFB hosted 12

F-15E Eagles of the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (391

EFS). This was the first TSP fighter unit deployed to Guam.

2 May 2005 — 13 AF Departed. The 13 AF transferred to Hickam

AFB, HI. The NAF had been on Guam since Dec 1991.

15 Sep 2005 — Lancer Fire. 37 EBS’s B-1B bomber, S/N 85-0066, burst into flames after landing at AAFB.

It was repaired and flown back to Ellsworth AFB, SD, 11 Jun

2008.

19 Jan 2006 — CRG Swap. The 36 CRG activated at AAFB,

replacing the 613 CRG, who inactivated. Also activated that day

were the 36 MRS and 736 SFS.

c. Jun 2006 — 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

(506 EARS) activated at AAFB for the deployed active and

reserve KC-135 Stratotanker unit rotations in PACOM’s Theater

Security Package (TSP).

12 Feb 2007 — 36th Operations Group (36 OG), The

reestablishment ceremony was held for the 36 OG replacing the

Provisional 36th Expeditionary Operations Group (36 EOG) for

all deployed flying units assigned at AAFB.

10 May 2007— F-22 Raptors visited AAFB for the first time.

19 Jul 2007— RQ-4 Global Hawk visited Guam the first time.

1 Jan 2008 — 644th Combat Communications Squadron

(644 CBCS), reactivated at AAFB as 3rd of 5 eventual squadrons assigned to the 36 CRG.

22 Feb 2008 — 554th RED HORSE (554 RHS). The flag transfer ceremony for the 554 RHS from 7th Air

Force (to the 36 CRG was held. Transition marked the first time in USAF history, a RED HORSE unit was

aligned under a Wing.

1 Jul 2008 —36th Mission Support Squadron (36 MSS) was redesignated as the 36th Force Support

Squadron (36 FSS). The 36th Services Squadron

(36 SVS) was inactivated. The missions of both

the 36 MSS and 36 SVS were combined under the

new 36 FSS umbrella.

10 Sep 2008 — New BX Grand Opening. A

ribbon cutting ceremony was held to open the

new 181,000 square foot AAFB AAFES Base

Exchange.

19–24 June 2006 — First Exercise VALIANT

SHIELD, formations of multi-service combat

aircraft & three USN Carrier Strike groups, of

the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Ronald Reagan and

USS Abraham Lincoln, led by a B-2 Spirit of

the 393 EBS. VALIANT SHIELD was an

exercise that focused on integration of joint

training among US forces. (USN)

19 Aug 2005 — Andersen International

Airport. A Northwest Airlines 747 nose

gear collapsed while landing, blocking the

runway at Guam’s International Airport,

The 36 MXS assisted with emergency

removal of the aircraft and Team Andersen

landed nine civilian airliners at the base.

23 Feb 2008 — B-2 Crash. 393 EBS, B-2 “Spirit of Kansas” S/

N 87-0127, crashed while taking off from AAFB. The estimated

$1.4 billion accident was the most expensive aircraft crash in

history, both pilots ejected safely with minor injuries. (FAA)

5 Mar - Jun 2003, the 7th Air Expe-

ditionary Wing (7 AEW) activated

and was the first bomber wing as-

signed to AAFB since 1992. The

deployment of 12 B-1Bs and 12 B-

52Hs was the largest bomber deploy-

ment since the Vietnam War.

22 Feb 2004 — Continuous

Bomber Presence (CBP), rotation-

al bomber deployments began

when six 23d Expeditionary Bomb

Squadron (23 EBS) B-52Hs from

Minot AFB arrived at AAFB.

6 Feb 2009 — Joint Region Marianas (JRM) was established during

the ground breaking ceremony of the new JRM HQ on Nimitz Hill.

Brig Gen Ruhlman 36 WG/CC, attended the ceremony as the Deputy

Commander of JRM. While bases in CONUS were becoming “Joint

Bases”, Guam’s became “Joint Region” since the bases were

geographically separated across the the island.

5 Aug 2010 — 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

(36 EAMXS), Provisional (P), activated for deployed aircraft

maintenance.

12 Mar-4 May 2011 — Operation TOMADACHI. After the 8.9

Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami ravaged northern Honshu, Japan. The

554 RHS, 644 CBCS, and 36 MRS, sent 27 Airmen and equipment

for relief efforts. RQ-4 Global Hawks flew over 300 hours and were

used to help the U.S. and Japanese governments to assess damages

and helped to direct rescue teams.

6 Oct 2011 — First Aviation Training Relocation (ATR). Marine

Fighter Attack Squadron 115 and Strike Fighter Squadron 94

conducted aerial and ground training in the Marianas. ATR was

training located outside of Japan for USAF, USMC, USN, and

JASDF aircraft. It enabled increased operational readiness for

maintainers, pilots, and support personnel, while managing the

noise impacts in and around the local communities of Japan.

14 Dec 2011 — CHRISTMAS DROP ‘11. C-130H Hercules

aircrew from the 36th Airlift Squadron (36 AS), Yokota AB, Japan,

delivered 25 boxes of life-saving IV fluids to the Micronesian

Island of Fais from AAFB. The real-world emergency was an

outbreak of dengue fever infecting 35 percent of the population of

Fais which prompted a declaration of emergency.

11-24 Feb 2012 — First Trilateral COPE NORTH. CN 12 took

place with Australian Air Force (RAAF) joining forces with USAF

and JASDF for the exercise.

c Apr 2013 — Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. The first elements of the

US Army’s THAAD system arrived at Northwest Field. The anti-ballistic

missile system under the name “Task Force Talon” was brought to Guam in

response to North Korea’s threats .

10 Nov – 4 Dec 2013 — Operation DAMAYAN. 89 Airmen from the 36 CRG

deployed to Tacloban, Philippines, and the RQ-4 Global Hawk conducted

reconnaissance in assisting the rescue and relief efforts after Super Typhoon

HAIYAN struck.

14 - 28 Feb 2014 — COPE NORTH ‘14. Turned real-world when the CNMI

governor declared the island of Rota under a state of emergency due to shortage

of food & other commodities. CN 14 participants provided humanitarian

assistance.

20 Jun 2014 — SILVER

FLAG. 554 RHS completed

the first mock course at PRTC, Northwest Field. In the

past the course was held by Det.1, 554 RHS, Kadena AB,

Japan until moved to Guam.

26 Jun 2015— The Last Blast. A 20 EBS B-52H dropped the last M117, 750-lbs bomb, from the PACAF (36

MUNS) stockpile. The last Vietnam War Era ordnance was dropped on Farallon de Medinilla Island (FDM).

29 Jul 2015— First Chamorro Airman General. Brig General Johnny Lizama, Guam Air National Guard

GUANG), became the first Chamorro Airman promoted to

USAF general officer.

2 Aug 2015 — Typhoon

SOUDELOR, hit the island of

Saipan, CNMI, and caused

widespread damage to homes

& the power systems.

Numerous agencies

contributed to the disaster

relief efforts including: 36

CRG, HSC-25, & the USS

Ashland (LSD-48).

15 Aug 2016 — B-1B Returned CBP. The BONES of the 34 EBS returned

in support of PACOM’s Continuous Bomber Presence (CBP) mission. It

was the first time B-1Bs were part of CBP rotation since 23 Apr 2006.

21 Jul 2008 — RAIDER 21 Crash. 20

EBS B-52H, S/N 61-0053, nose art

“Louisiana Fire” crashed into the Philip-

pine Sea while maneuvering for the annual

Liberation Day Parade fly-over. RAIDER

21 Memorial in Anigua, Guam, honors

the memory of the six B-52H Airmen who

lost their lives on Liberation Day 2008.

21 Apr 2009 — Stealths First OCONUS

Deployment. The B-2 Spirit and F-22 Raptor

conducted their first OCONUS deployment

together at AAFB, Guam. (USAF)

Gen O’Shaughnessy, PACAF/CC,

visits Soldiers of the 94th Army Air

and Missile Defense Command’s

Task Force Talon, THAAD on

Northwest Field, 1 Feb 2017.

20 Sep 2010 — RQ-4 Global

Hawk Arrived. The Det. 3, 9

OG, brought significant intelli-

gence, surveillance and recon-

naissance (ISR) capabilities to

the Pacific Theater. (USAF)

First Int’l Operation CHRISTMAS DROP 2015

25 Apr 2015 — Operation SAHAYOGI HAAT.

devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck

Nepal. The 36 CRG responded to call. Photo:

4 May 2015, the 36 CRG boards a C-17 Globe-

master III, AAFB, bound for Nepal. (USAF)

7 Dec 2017 — Northwest Field (NWF) Pacific Regional

Training Center (PRTC). 11 years after ground-breaking, the

554 RHS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the

conclusion of more than 70 construction projects, valued at

$251 million, making up the new PRTC. Airmen used facilities

to prepare for contingency and deployment missions.

11 Dec 2017 — Operation Christmas Drop ‘17, was the first to

feature 374 AW’s new C-130J Super Hercules from Yokota

AB, Japan.

c. Jan 2018 — 554 RHS deployed to South Korea. Airmen

from the 554 RHS, 36 CRG, AAFB, deployed to assist the 7 AF

in repairs and construction projects at multiple bases on the

Korean Peninsula.

5–26 Oct 2018 — Operation DHARMA PALU. On 28 Sep, the 7.5 Magnitude SULAWESI earthquake

struck north of Palu, Indonesia. It triggered a large tsunami that left

4,340 dead, 10,679 injured, and thousands displaced.

INDOPACOM sent three C-130J Super Hercules from 374 AW,

Yokota AB, Japan and 30 Airmen from the 36 CRG’s “911 Force”

assisted USAID in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HA/DR)

efforts.

25 Oct 2018 — Super Typhoon YUTU, devastated the islands of

Saipan and Tinian. The 36 CRG, 36 CES, and the tenant units 734

AMS, USN’s HSC-25, and Guam National Guard provided disaster

relief from AAFB.

22-24 Feb 2019 — COPE NORTH ‘19 EVAC. CN 19’s 3,000

international Airmen demonstrated flexibility when Typhoon

WUTIP’s closest point of approach (CPA) initiated inclement

weather plans. Many of the 100 assigned exercise aircraft needed to evacuate from Guam, then later returned.

28 Mar 2019 — 36th Mobility Response Squadron (36 MRS) redesignated to 36th

Contingency Response Sq. (36 CRS).

1 Jun 2019 — 36th Contingency Response Support Squadron (36 CRSS) activated

on AAFB. It was the 5th Squadron assigned to the 36 CRG.

17 - 28 Jun 2019 — “Operation Christmas Drop” Movie. A movie about the

annual Christmas Drop was filmed on AAFB and off-base Guam. Many of Team

Andersen’s Airman participated as extras. It was one of the first movies filmed on

Guam to be widely distributed (See 1-30 Aug 1970). The movie was released on 5

Nov 2020.

10 Dec 2019 — Operation Christmas Drop ‘19. A fourth international partner, the

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), joined the humanitarian airdrop. The first

multi-national OCD took place in 2015 when C-130 Hercules’ from the Japanese

Air Self

Defense Force

(JSDF), and the Royal Australian Air

Force (RAAF) joined the USAF.

26 Jan 2020 — MQ-4C Triton. The

USN’s version of the RQ-4 Global

Hawk arrived at AAFB, Guam.

Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP) 19,

the first Triton squadron operated two

aircraft. The MQ-4C conducted

intelligence, surveillance and

reconnaissance missions; also, brought

increased persistence, capability, and

capacity through its multi-sensor

mission payload.

7 Mar 2020 — Patriot Express. The AMC ‘rotator’ commercial charter flight began routine flights for

passengers between AAFB, Guam, and the Seattle-

Tacoma International Airport, WA.

17 Mar 2020 — COVID-19. In response to the virus

spreading around the world and on Guam, Brig Gen

Gentry Boswell, 36 WG/CC, declared a Public

Health Emergency. What was not known then was

how long COVID would last. At the start of 2022,

Guam seemed to be getting back to normal.

1 May 2020 — First Bomber Task Force (BTF)

13 Apr 2020 — Elephant Walk. USN MH-60S Knighthawks, USAF RQ-4

Global Hawk, USN MQ-4C Triton, B-52H Stratofortresses, & KC-135

Stratotankers assigned to Guam performed an "Elephant Walk". During

COVID-19, it showed Team Andersen's ability to generate combat airpower

at a moment's notice to ensure regional stability throughout the Indo-Pacific.

17 Aug 2016 — All three of AFGSC's

strategic bombers simultaneously conducted

operations in the U.S. PACOM area of

operations for the first time in history.

19 May 2016 — 69 EBS, B-52H, S/N 60-0047,

Nose art “Neanderthaul” had a take off accident

at AAFB. All seven Crewdogs egressed safely.

24 Nov 2020 — PACAF Agile Combat Employment (ACE).

F-22s assigned to the 94 FS, 1 FW, Joint Base Langley-

Eustis, VA, deployed to AAFB, Guam, conducted hot refuel

during a Dynamic Force Employment on Palau. 36 AS’s

C-130J Super Hercules refueled the Raptors using Aerial

Bulk Fuel Delivery System which supports the ACE concept.

Deployment. The Continuous Bomber Presence (CBP) ended in Apr 2020,

after being on the “Forward Edge” for over 16 years. The new BTF rotation

arrived in the form of Four B-1B Lancers of the 9 BS, 7 BW, Dyess AFB,

TX. It was the first BTF on Guam since B-2 Spirits, Jan 2019.

30 Jun 2020 — C-17 Globemasters Airdrop. Paratroopers from the 4th

Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army

Alaska, parachuted onto AAFB as part of their Emergency Deployment

Readiness Exercise from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

23 Jul 2020 — 4th Reconnaissance

Squadron. The 319th Operations

Group, Detachment 1 was a tenant

unit at AAFB. Their RQ-4 Global

Hawks deployed to Japan nearly every

year since 2014. In 2020, the 319 OG,

Det. 1. deactivated and the old 4th

Reconnaissance Sq. reactivated. The

4 RS was assigned to the 319 OG, Grand Forks AFB, ND.

Jul 2021 — PACIFIC IRON 21. 35 Fighters, Mobility Aircraft, 800

Airmen, and support equipment operated from AAFB, Guam

International Airport, Northwest Field, and Tinian International

Airport to conduct ACE.

22 - 24 May 2023 — Typhoon MAWAR was a Category 4 typhoon,

that produced winds of at least 130 miles per hour, making it the

strongest typhoon to strike Guam in two decades. As it tore through

the Rota Channel the southern portion of the eye wall passed over

the northernmost parts of Guam, that being Pati Point on Andersen AFB and the Ritidian Wildlife Refuge

near Northwest Field. An assessment of the base showed that nearly 500 facilities sustained some sort of

damage and more than 100 needed significant repair. It was estimated that AAFB required nearly $9.7

billion to rebuild and improve its facilities on the island.

11 Dec 2021, 35th Rota Walk.

SrA Alexander Lawrence, 734

AMS, constructed the 8-foot

“Operation Candy Drop” C-17

replica. The 35th Annual Rota

Walk was attended and enjoyed

by over 4,000 people. (USAF)

14 Dec 2021, 70th Operation Christmas

Drop. C-130J Hercules crew, call sign

SANTA 63, 36 AS, 374 AW, Yokota AB,

Japan, prepares to “Bring Love from

Above.” 70th The DOD’s longest-running

humanitarian airlift operation. (USAF)

19 Jul 2023 — Exercise Mobility Guardian 2023. U.S. and

Allied aircraft conduct an elephant walk on Andersen AFB

less than two months after Typhoon MAWAR. Guam hosted

part of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s exercise where

more than 15,000 U.S. and Allied forces are participated in

various exercises across the INDOPACOM area of responsi-

bility to enhance readiness and interoperability. (USAF)

5 Feb 2024 — COPE NORTH ‘24 Elephant Walk. U.S. and Allied

aircraft conduct an elephant walk on Andersen AFB. CN24 aimed to

further integrate ally and partner nations contributions towards enhancing

security and stability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (USAF)

Operation Christmas Drop (OCD) 2023 —

Featured a multinational formation flight for the

first time. (L-R) A C-130J Super Hercules, 36th

Airlift Sq., Royal Canadian Air Force C-130J

Super Hercules assigned to the 436th Transport

Sq., a Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H

Hercules assigned to the 401st Tactical Airlift

Sq., and a Republic of Korea Air Force C-130H

Hercules assigned to the 251st Airlift Sq. fly in

formation near Guam on 9 Dec 2023. (USAF)

(Left to Right) 24 May 2023, satellite image of Typhoon MAWAR just before striking Andersen AFB, Guam. On 26 May

2023, Airmen and dependents receive cases of water in the aftermath of MAWAR near an overturned vehicle outside the

Magellan Dining Facility. A photograph shows the 36th Wing emblem torn off the Air Traffic Control tower. (USAF)

North Field, Guam, 03 February 1945

314th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy), 17 January 1945

Gen Thomas S. Power, 29 Aug 1944

Col Carl R Storrie, 23 Jul 1945

19th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), 15 May 1946

Col Vincent M Miles Jr, 1 Mar 1946

Col Elbert D Reynolds, 13 Apr 1946

Col David Wade, 26 Apr 1947

Col Francis C Shoemaker, 8 Nov 1947

Col Robert V DeShazo, 2 Dec 1947

19th Bombardment Wing (Medium), 17 August 1948

Lt Col Clarence G. Poff, 17 Aug 1948

Col Robert V. DeShazo, 24 Sep 1948

Maj Gen Alvan C. Kincaid, 16 May 1949

Brig Gen Alfred R. Maxwell, 1 Jun 1949

Andersen Air Force Base, 7 October 1949

Col Frederick E. Calhoun, 26 Nov 1949

Brig Gen Adlai H. Gilkeson, 29 Nov 1949

Brig Gen Robert W.C. Wamsatt, 27 May 1951

6319th Air Base Wing, 1 June 1953 - 18 Jun 1954

Brig Gen Robert W.C. Wamsatt, 1 June 1953

Col Edwin G. Simenson, 12 Jun 1953

3d Air Division, 18 Jun 1954 – 1 Apr 1970

(3960th Air Base/Strategic Wing, 1 Apr 1955 – 1 Jul 1970)

Maj Gen Joseph D. Caldara, 18 Jun 1954

Brig Gen Nils O. Ohman, 10 Feb 1955

Maj Gen Charles W. Schott, 1 Oct 1956

Lt Gen Richard M. Montgomery, 3 Sep 1958

Maj Gen John M. Reynolds, 2 Aug 1959

Maj General William C. Kingsbury, 7 Jul 1961

Brig General Harold W. Ohlke, 2 Jul 1963

Maj Gen William J. Crumm, 16 July 1965

Brig Gen John W. Kline, 7 Jul 1967

Lt Gen Selmon Willard Wells, 8 Jul 1967

Lt Gen Alvan C. Gillem II, 6 Jun 1968

8th Air Force, 1 Jul 1970 – 1 Jan 1975

(43d Strategic/Bomb Wing, 1 Jul 1970 – 1 Oct 1989)

Lt Gen Alvan C. Gillem II, 1 Apr 1970

Brig Gen Leo C. Lewis, 11 Jul 1970

Lt Gen Sam J. Byerley, 1 Aug 1970

Lt Gen Gerald W. Johnson, 14 Sep 1971

Lt Gen George H. McKee, 1 Oct 1973

Maj Gen Charles F. Minter Sr., 30 Aug 1974

3d Air Division, 1 Jan 1975 – 12 Sep 1988

Maj Gen Charles F. Minter Sr., 1 Jan 1975

Maj General Thomas F. Rew, Aug. 20, 1975

Maj Gen Hilding L. Jacobson Jr., Aug. 17, 1976

Maj Gen Andrew Pringle, 30 Apr 1978

Maj Gen Louis C. Buckman, 13 August 1979

Maj Gen Stanley C. Beck, 12 Aug 1980

Brig Gen Clarence R. Autery, 27 Aug 1982

Lt Gen E.G. "Buck" Shuler Jr, July 1984

Maj Gen Donald L. Marks, July 1986

3d Air Div departed AAFB to Hickam, 12 Sep 1988

314

19 BG/

3 AD

Chronological List of the Most Senior Commanders, Andersen AFB

Each commander’s highest rank achieved in the USAF

3960 ABW

8 AF

43 SW/BW

INTENTIONALLY BLANK

13th Air Force, 2 Dec 1991 -- 1 May 2005

(633d Air Base Wing, 1 Oct 1989 – 1 Oct 1994)

Maj Gen H. Hale Burr, Jr., 2 Dec 1991

Lt Gen Richard T. Swope, 21 Jul 1994

Maj Gen John R. Dallager, 22 Apr 1996

Lt Gen Thomas C. Waskow, 20 Aug 1998

Maj Gen Daniel M. Dick, May 1999

Maj Gen Theodore W. “Bill” Lay II, 14 Nov 2000

Lt Gen Dennis R. Larsen, 21 Sep 2002

Gen Edward A. Rice, Jr., 24 Jan 2005

13 AF departed AAFB to Hickam, 1 May 2005

36th Air Expeditionary Wing, 20 Feb 2004

Col Paul K. White, 1 May 2005

Maj Gen Michael Boera, Jun 2005

36th Wing, 15 Mar 2006 — Current

Lt Gen Douglas H. Owens, 25 Oct 2006

Brig Gen Philip Rulhman, 2 Sep 2008

Brig Gen John W. Doucette, 25 Jun 2010

Brig Gen Steven D. Garland, 26 Jun 2012

Maj Gen Andrew J. Toth, 19 Jun 2014

Brig Gen Douglas A. Cox, 6 May 2016

Brig Gen Gentry W. Boswell, 8 Jun 2018

Brig Gen Jeremy T. Sloane, 8 Jul 2020

Brig Gen Paul R. Birch, 10 Jun 2022

Col Larry Fenner Jr., 21 Mar 2023

Brig Gen Paul R. Fast, 8 Apr 2023

Brig Gen Thomas B. Palenske, 30 Jun 2023

13 AF

36 ABW/WG

633 ABW

Quite the difference

80 years makes!

(Top Photo) On 25 April 1944, a

USN reconnaissance aircraft took

this photo of the Japanese held

Savana Grande, Guam, now An-

dersen AFB. (Bottom photo) A

recent aerial view of Andersen

AFB at dusk. (USAF)