It's official: Andersen host unit now 36th Wing Published April 13, 2006 By 2nd Lt. J.D. Griffin 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) -- Formations and a ceremony April 12 marked the public designation of Andersen’s host unit as the 36th Wing. The re-designation was officiated by Maj. Gen. Edward Rice, 13th Air Force commander. “Andersen is increasing in importance,” General Rice said. “This location gives us great flexibility to deploy and employ our forces throughout the Pacific. We’ll take maximum advantage of it being at the tip of the strategic triangle that includes Alaska and Hawaii.” The ceremony included the unfurling of the new 36th Wing flag in front of group formations, local government and civic leaders and Department of Defense employees. The official designation of the wing previously was the 36th Air Base Wing, and the wing was using a temporary designation of air expeditionary wing. This change in the wing’s official designation better aligns Andersen with its mission statement: “To provide a U.S.-based lethal warfighting platform for the employment, deployment, reception, and throughput of air and space forces in the Asia-Pacific region.” (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces)