Andersen officials give up-close view of F-22, B-2

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) --  More than 400 military spouses, Department of Defense employees, Guam civic leaders and local community members received a firsthand look at two F-22 Raptors, a B-2 Spirit and a KC-135 Stratotanker on display March 28 here.

Crewmembers from each aircraft answered questions from the flock of visitors curious to know the ins and outs of some of the premier aircraft during the base's open house.

"I think it's great they get a chance to come out here and look at something that's probably kind of fictitious to them (because they don't get to see it every day)," said Capt. Eric Van Veldhuizen, a 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot. "This is a great opportunity to educate (and showcase) our capabilities."

The F-22s, B-2s and KC-135s deployed here play a pivotal role in Pacific Air Forces' theater security package and global deterrence mission.

Brigadier Gen. Philip M. Ruhlman, the 36th Wing commander, briefed the first two tour groups, consisting of military spouses, on aircraft capabilities and how the 36th Wing helps combat the tyranny of distance.

Lisa Shirey, an Andersen AFB Officers' Spouses' Club member and wife of Maj. Joseph Shirey, the 36th Maintenance Squadron commander, called the event an "enlightening" experience. She said she gained an even greater respect for the technological aspects and the extensive training required by the pilots of the aircraft.

Members of the Armed Forces Committee and Andersen AFB Civilian Advisory Committee comprised the third group on hand to tour the display.

"It's great to have my wife out here with me to take advantage of a sunny day and see the latest and greatest that the Air Force has to offer in the support and defense of our nation's freedom and the freedom of our allies," said Steve Ruder, a Guam community leader involved in the AFC and the ACAC. "It's great to be able to get around and visit with the folks who are actually boots on the ground and in the air out here and talk to them about (their jobs). It's nice to meet the folks and thank them for what they do."

Air Force junior ROTC cadets, Boy and Girl Scouts and DOD identification cardholders also viewed demonstrations of a military working dog and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities, and got to visit displays from the Andersen Fire and Emergency Services Flight as well as the 36th Munitions Squadron. 

"I thought flying planes was really difficult (and) I didn't know how long the training (was for pilots)," said Pauleen Mateo, a John F. Kennedy High School Air Force junior ROTC cadet captain. "It was really nice to get to talk to someone who actually flies planes for a living."

"(Getting to see) the planes up close was the best part of the tour," said Wilma Ventura, a John F. Kennedy High School Air Force junior ROTC cadet captain. "(Being able to) go up and see inside the cockpit was really cool."

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