Andersen answers call for help

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ann Bennett
  • 36th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) --  Airmen here answered the call for help from the government of Guam when a jumbo jet’s nose gear collapsed on the runway upon landing, closing Won Pat International Airport on Aug. 19.

Andersen Airmen safely recovered eight aircraft with more than 830 passengers.

It is a fantastic feeling when Team Andersen can help, said Col. Michael Boera, 36th Air Expeditionary Wing commander.

“As an aviator myself, I know that incidents happen and you just can’t pull over to the side of the road in a jet,” he said. “Andersen Air Force Base has afforded the opportunity to other airliners to land safely. The team effort from all units at Andersen is phenomenal.”

Airmen here handled all aircraft and passengers within three hours, said Lt. Col. Hans Lageschulte, 36th Operations Support Squadron director of operations. He said Airmen guided the aircraft in and bedded them down on the flightline and directed the passengers from the aircraft through customs and onto airport chartered busses.

“Our folks got the buses and (airline) staff on base and onto the flightline to pick up the passengers and get them back off base,” Colonel Lageschulte said. “The 734th Air Mobility Squadron members directed the passenger unloading and helped with the cargo unloading. Some passengers were taken to (a hangar) here to ensure their comfort needs were addressed.

“We made certain the passengers were handled in a manner that showed our concern for their comfort and safety,” he said.

Chartered buses took the passengers from Andersen to Won Pat International Airport.