Vice chief describes airpower's key role in Pacific at Tinian symposium

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Sam Highley
  • SecAF-CSAF Executive Action Group
TINIAN, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (AFNS) --  Sixty-five years after a single bomber launched from a U.S. air base here changed the course of history, airpower continues to play a key role in regional security, the Air Force vice chief of staff said during a speech here Aug. 5.

Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler spoke at an educational symposium titled "The Manhattan Project and Tinian." The gathering of historians, government officials, local residents and other interested visitors was supported in part by the Northern Mariana Islands Council for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

"Tinian's role in World War II is an important part of our shared history, and I am grateful for your friendship and for your efforts to preserve the past," General Chandler told the attendees.

On Aug. 6, 1945, the B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" launched from Tinian to strike Hiroshima, Japan, with an atomic bomb. After a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later, Japan surrendered and ended World War II.

"As heart-breaking as the memories of destruction in that war can be for us today, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the mutual security alliance between the United States and Japan," a nation now squarely among the United States' most cherished allies, General Chandler said.

Together with allies and partners like Japan, the U.S. officials continue to help underwrite security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, the general said.

General Chandler said the Air Force and Navy are forging a new vision of cooperation between the two services called Air-Sea Battle, and that this integration will be especially important to the Pacific area of operations.

Additionally, presence continues to be important to regional peace and stability, he said.

"Our current posture in the Pacific reflects this reality and relies on our presence on Guam and the Northern Marianas to project stability throughout East Asia," General Chandler said. "Andersen Air Force Base is a key component of our long-term commitment to the region."

Investments in long-range strike will also augment the United States' forward presence throughout Asia, the general said.

"The security and stability of the Pacific region has long been guaranteed by the strength of our diplomacy and our alliances, all of which have been underwritten by American long-range power projection," General Chandler said. "Maintaining that balance still requires our vigilance."

Maj. Gen. Doug Owens, the Pacific Air Forces vice commander at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, attended the symposium as well, and spoke at a wreath-laying ceremony Aug. 6 held at the Tinian bomb pits designed to load the two atomic bombs on to the B-29s.

"We commemorate (the Hiroshima mission) today not in celebration, but in remembrance," General Owens said. "We remember because war is a human endeavor and comes with such great national and personal sacrifice, and cost to all of us."

Also attending the events were Lt. Col. Richard Pagliuco, the 20th Air Force deputy director of operations at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; Capt. Ron Poe, the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge at Whiteman AFB, Mo.; and Capt. Joe Tulloss, a 13th Bomb Squadron flight commander and B-2 Spirit instructor pilot also at Whiteman AFB.

The three travelled to Tinian to learn about their organizations' heritages. Airmen in the 20th Air Force and the 509th Composite Group, a historical precursor to the 509th Bomb Wing, planned and flew the atomic bomb missions.

"To come to Tinian and see first-hand the history of our Numbered Air Force has been truly an honor," Colonel Pagliuco said. "Back at F.E. Warren (AFB), we do our best every day to continue the proud legacy set by the Airmen here in World War II, and continue to do our part to keep the United States and our partners safe."

Captains Poe and Tulloss, both members of the 509th Bomb Wing, each said they were especially impressed by hearing from Dutch Van Kirk, the last surviving member of the Enola Gay crew who spoke to the symposium via phone.

"It took remarkable airmanship to fly that mission, with the risks and unknowns," Captain Tulloss said. "Hearing Mr. Van Kirk give those first-hand details was outstanding and a truly unique experience."

Captain Poe said he sees parallels between operations at his unit today and those Mr. Van Kirk described at Tinian.

"At the 509th (BW) today, our deterrent operations continue as a combined effort," Captain Poe said. "From disciplined maintainers who keep our B-2 fleet healthy through detailed aircraft inspections coupled with sound maintenance principles, to the pilots who fly them, it's a collaborative effort from everyone to accomplish the mission, just as it was during Mr. Van Kirk's 509th (CG) tenure."