View source for Andersen Air Force Base

{{short description|United States Air Force base in Guam}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Andersen Air Force Base
| ensign = 
| ensign_size =
| native_name = 
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location = [[Yigo, Guam|Yigo]]
| nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
| country = [[Guam]]
| image = File:Dyess B-1s deploy to Andersen, take over Continuous Bomber Presence operations 170206-F-LP948-046.jpg
| alt = A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron lands at Andersen AFB, 2007. 
| caption = A [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|B-1B Lancer]] assigned to the [[9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron]] lands at Andersen AFB, 2007. 
| image2 = [[File:Pacific Air Forces.png|100px]]
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| type = US Air Force Base
| coordinates = {{coord|13|34|34|N|144|55|28|E|display=inline,title}}
| gridref = 
| image_map = 
| image_mapsize = 
| image_map_alt = 
| image_map_caption = 
| pushpin_map = Guam
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Guam
| pushpin_relief = 
| pushpin_image = 
| pushpin_label = Andersen AFB
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_mark = 
| pushpin_marksize = 
| ownership = [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]
| operator = [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]]
| controlledby = *[[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF)
*[[Joint Region Marianas]]
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->  
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built = {{Start date|1944}} (as North Field)
| used = 1944  – present<!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder = 
| materials = 
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition = Operational
| battles = *[[Battle of Guam (1941)]]
*[[Battle of Guam (1944)]]
| events = 
| current_commander = [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] Thomas B. Palenske<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.andersen.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3470782/thomas-b-palenske/|title=Brigadier General Thomas B. Palenske|website=Andersen Air Force Base, Guam|access-date=2023-10-02|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013022053/https://www.andersen.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3470782/thomas-b-palenske/|archive-date=Oct 13, 2023}}</ref>
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = [[36th Wing]] (Host)
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations = 
| website = {{Official URL}}
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA = UAM
| ICAO = PGUA
| FAA = UAM
| TC = 
| LID = 
| GPS = 
| WMO = 912180
| elevation = {{Convert|188.3|m|0}}
| r1-number = 6L/24R
| r1-length = {{Convert|3208.6|m|0}}
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]/[[Concrete]]
| r2-number = 6R/24L
| r2-length = {{Convert|3413.7|m|0}}
| r2-surface = Asphalt/Concrete
| h1-number = 
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface = 
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!--  end airfield information   -->
| footnotes = '''Source:''' [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]],<ref name=FAA>{{FAA-airport|ID=UAM|use=PR|own=MA|site=51510.2*A}}. Retrieved 15 March 2007</ref> official site<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.andersen.af.mil/ |title=Andersen Air Force Base web page |publisher=Andersen.af.mil |access-date=25 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327052835/http://www.andersen.af.mil/ |archive-date=27 March 2014  }}</ref>
}}
'''Andersen Air Force Base (Andersen AFB, AAFB)''' {{airport codes|UAM|PGUA|UAM}} is a [[United States Air Force base]] located primarily within the [[villages of Guam|village]] of [[Yigo, Guam|Yigo]] in the [[United States]] territory of [[Guam]]. The host unit at Andersen AFB is the [[36th Wing]] (36 WG), assigned to the [[Pacific Air Forces]] [[Eleventh Air Force]]. As a non-flying wing, the 36 WG's mission is to provide support to deployed air and space forces of USAF, foreign air forces to Andersen, and tenant units assigned to the base.<ref name="JRM"/>

Andersen AFB was placed under the installation management authority of [[Joint Region Marianas]] in October 2009, along with [[Naval Base Guam]].<ref name="JRM">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Marianas/AbouttheRegion/History/index.htm |title=History of Joint Region Marianas |publisher=Cnic.navy.mil |access-date=25 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017054501/http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Marianas/AbouttheRegion/History/index.htm |archive-date=17 October 2012  }}</ref> The two bases are about {{convert|30|mi|km}} apart at opposite ends of the island.<ref name="JRM" /> Established in 1944 after the [[Battle of Guam (1944)|Liberation of Guam]] as '''North Field''', it is named for [[Brigadier General]] [[James Roy Andersen]] (1904–1945).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Andersen AFB|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/andersen.htm#:~:text=Andersen%20Air%20Force%20Base%20opened,returning%20to%20Honolulu%20in%201945.|access-date=2020-09-25|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Historian|url=https://www.andersen.af.mil/History/|access-date=2020-09-25|website=Andersen Air Force Base, Guam}}</ref>

The most important U.S. air base west of Hawaii, Andersen is one of the four Air Force Bomber Forward Operating Locations and the only base in the Western Pacific that can permanently service U.S. heavy strategic bombers,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stanleyconsultants.com/what-we-do/engineering-design/air-force-base-runway-replacement-supports-global-war-on-terrorism/|title=Air Force Base Runway Replacement Supports Global War on Terrorism|last=Stanley Consultants Incorporated|website=Stanley Consultants}}</ref> including [[B-1B]], [[B-2]], and [[B-52]] bombers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a27687/north-korea-guam/|title=Why Is North Korea So Fixated on Guam?|date=9 August 2017|website=popularmechanics.com|access-date=24 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924230120/http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a27687/north-korea-guam/|archive-date=24 September 2017}}</ref> Andersen is one of two critical bases in the Asia-Pacific region, the other being [[Diego Garcia]] in the Indian Ocean.  Due to Guam's almost unrestricted airspace and the close proximity of the [[Farallon de Medinilla|Farallon de Medinilla Island]], a naval bombing range {{convert|184|mi|km}} north, the base is in an ideal training location.

==History==
Andersen Air Force Base was established on 3 December 1944, and is named for Brigadier General [[James Roy Andersen]] (1904–1945). Andersen graduated from the [[United States Military Academy]] in 1926, served at various army installations, and obtained his wings at [[Kelly AFB|Kelly Field]], Texas, in 1936. During 1943–1944 he served on the War Department General Staff. In January 1945, Andersen was assigned to HQ AAF, Pacific Ocean Area. He died on 26 February 1945 in the crash of a [[B-24 Liberator]] aircraft between [[Kwajalein]] and [[Johnston Island]] while en route to [[Hawaii]].

===World War II===
Andersen Air Force Base's origin begins on 7 December 1941 when Guam was attacked by the armed forces of [[Imperial Japan]] in the [[Battle of Guam (1941)]] three hours after the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor]]. The United States Navy surrendered Guam to the Japanese on 10 December. At the height of the war, approximately 19,000 [[Japanese occupation of Guam|Japanese soldiers and sailors were deployed to the island]]. Guam was liberated by the [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine Corps']] 3rd Amphibious Corps on 21 July 1944, in the [[Battle of Guam (1944)]], after a 13-day pre-invasion bombardment.

The Japanese managed to contain the Marines on two beachheads, but their counter-attack failed. The Marines renewed their assault, and reached the northern tip of the island on 10 August 1944.  Japanese guerrilla activities continued until the end of the war. Some [[Japanese holdout|were holdouts]] for many years afterwards.

Guam was considered ideal to establish air bases to launch [[B-29 Superfortress]] operations against the [[Japanese Archipelago|Japanese Home Islands]]. The [[Marianas Islands]] are about {{convert|1500|mi|km}} from Tokyo, a range which the B-29s could just about manage. Most important of all, it could be put on a direct supply line from the United States by ship.  "North Field," as Andersen AFB was first named, was the first air base built in Guam after its liberation. Its construction began in November 1944 and was supported by the [[United States Navy]] [[Seabee]]s.  North Field and its co-located [[Northwest Field (Guam)|Northwest Field]] was a massive installation, with four main runways, taxiways, [[Revetment (aircraft)|revetments]] for over 200 B-29s, and a large containment area for base operations and personnel.

The first host unit at North Field was the [[314th Air Division|314th Bombardment Wing]], [[XXI Bomber Command]], [[Twentieth Air Force]].  The 314th arrived in Guam on 16 January 1945 from Peterson Field, Colorado.  The 314th controlled four operational B-29 bomb groups, the [[19th Air Refueling Wing|19th]], (Square M), [[29th Bombardment Group|29th]] (Square O), [[39th Air Expeditionary Wing|39th]] (Square P), and [[330th Bombardment Group (VH)|330th]] (Square K).

B-29 Superfortress missions from North Field were attacks against strategic targets in Japan, operating in daylight and at a high altitude to bomb factories, refineries, and other objectives. In March 1945, the XXI Bomber Command changed tactics and started carrying out low-level night incendiary raids on area targets.  During the Allied assault on [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]], groups of the 314th Bomb Wing attacked airfields from which the Japanese were sending out [[kamikaze|suicide planes]] against the invasion force.

Flying out of Guam aboard a B-29, [[Henry E. Erwin|S/Sgt Henry E Erwin]] of the 29th Bombardment Group was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for actions during a mission over [[Koriyama]], Japan, on 12 April 1945. When a phosphorus smoke bomb exploded in the launching chute and shot back into the plane, Sgt Erwin picked up the burning bomb, carried it to a window, and threw it out, saving the plane and all aboard her.

After the war, B-29s from North Field dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners and participated in several show-of-force missions over Japan.  The 29th, 39th and 330th Bombardment Groups returned to the United States and inactivated in December 1945. The 19th remained in Guam to become the station's host unit after the 314th Bombardment Wing moved to [[Johnson Air Base]], Japan for occupation duty.

===Postwar years===
[[File:Aerial view of Andersen AFB.jpg|thumb|alt=Aerial view|Northwest Field at Andersen Air Force Base]]
After the end of [[World War II]], [[Guam]] served as a collection point for surplus war goods that had accumulated in the [[Asiatic-Pacific Theater|Pacific Theater]].

The [[19th Bombardment Wing]] (BW) was formed at North AFB in 1948 from the resources of the former North Guam Air Force Base Command (Provisional). The 19th BW operated [[Andersen AFB]] and continued utilizing B-29s. In May 1949, the headquarters of the Twentieth Air Force moved from Guam to [[Kadena Air Base]], Okinawa. Its former staff was assigned to the 19th BW.

At Andersen, the wing assumed responsibility for supervising two active bases and one semi-active base, an assortment of communication, weather, radar, rescue and other facilities and units, including the Marianas Air Material Area, a wing size unit.<ref>Ravenstein, Charles A. ''Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977''. [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], [[Alabama]]: Office of Air Force History 1984. {{ISBN|0-912799-12-9}}.</ref> Many of the units and facilities were closed or inactivated within a few months.

In October 1949, the 19th Wing was transferred to the 20th Air Force's command. The remaining units in the Marianas and Bonin Islands were shifted to other organizations.  From 17 October 1949 until 28 June 1950, the wing continued B-29 training, operation of Andersen Air Force Base, and rescue and reconnaissance missions.

===1950s===
Three days after [[North Korea]] invaded [[South Korea]] in 1950, the 19th Bomb Group deployed B-29s to Andersen to begin bombing targets throughout South Korea. A few days later, the group was detached from the 19th BW and deployed to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. The rest of the wing remained at Andersen, providing maintenance for transient aircraft and operating ammunition dumps until 1953.

In 1951, the [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) selected several overseas bases to support rotational unit deployments of its bombers from stateside bases, starting with B-29 units and later including [[Convair B-36 Peacemaker|B-36 Peacemaker]], [[B-47 Stratojet]], [[B-50 Superfortress]] bombers and [[Boeing KB-29|KB-29]] refueling tankers.

With decreased hostility in [[Korea]], the 19th BW headquarters was relocated to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa in 1953 and was replaced by the 6319th Air Base Wing of the [[United States Far East Air Force|Far East Air Forces (FEAF)]]. FEAF Bomber Command's 19th Bomb Wing and SAC's 98th and 307th Bomb Wings were inactivated in 1954. Its three B-29 wings returned to the contiguous United States and were replaced with B-47s.

The 3rd Air Division was activated on 18 June in its place. Its objective was to control all SAC units in the Far East. The division operated as a tenant unit from June 1954 until April 1955 and received host-base support services from the 6319th until that unit was inactivated on 1 April 1955. The 6319th was replaced with the SAC-aligned 3960th Air Base Wing.

SAC continued its 90-day unit rotational training program and began to take control of the base from the FEAF. After the 1 April 1955 base transfer and activation of the 3960th Air Base Wing, B-47s replaced the B-36s in the rotations. The 43rd Bomb Wing from [[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base]], [[Arizona]], operated from July to October 1957, which eventually became Andersen's host unit. The 3960th Air Base Wing was redesignated on 1 July 1956 as the 3960th Air Base Group.

The [[41st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] of the [[United States Pacific Air Forces|Pacific Air Forces]], along with its [[F-86 Sabre|F-86s]], was stationed at Andersen from August 1956 until it was inactivated in March 1960. After that, the air defense mission was provided by deployments of [[Fifth Air Force|Fifth]] and [[Thirteenth Air Force]] units flying the [[F-102 Delta Dagger|F-102]] aircraft.<ref name="global">{{cite web |author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/andersen.htm |title=Andersen AFB |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=25 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708195013/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/andersen.htm |archive-date=8 July 2014  }}</ref>

===Vietnam===
Andersen's rotational duties concluded when the B-47 was phased out and replaced by the [[B-52 Stratofortress]].<ref name=mvsqud>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-UIyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PuYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6975%2C2138781 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=U.S. moves B52 squadron to base off China coast |date=October 26, 1964 |page=2}}</ref> The first B-52, the "City of El Paso," arrived from the 95th Bomb Wing at [[Biggs Army Airfield|Biggs Air Force Base]], Texas in March 1964. It was followed by [[KC-135 Stratotanker]]s.

With the start of [[Operation Arc Light]] in June 1965, B-52Fs and KC-135As began regular bombing missions over [[Vietnam]] and continued until 1973, with a break between August 1970 and early 1972.

In support of Operation Arc Light, SAC activated the [[List of USAF Strategic Wings assigned to the Strategic Air Command|4133rd Bombardment Wing (Provisional)]] on 1 February 1966. The [[3960th Strategic Wing]], which was originally activated in 1955 as the 3960th Air Base Wing, continued as the base's host wing until it was inactivated and replaced by the [[43rd Strategic Wing]] on 1 April 1970. The 43rd assumed the mission of the 4133rd on 1 July 1970.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/bullet_shot.htm
 |title       = Operation Bullet Shot
 |publisher   = GlobalSecurity.org
 |access-date  = 23 July 2011
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111204002534/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/bullet_shot.htm
 |archive-date = 4 December 2011
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

It continued in this capacity until the 57th Air Division (Provisional) and 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional) were activated in June 1972 in support of '''Operation Bullet Shot'''<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/bullet_shot.htm
 |title       = Operation Bullet Shot
 |publisher   = GlobalSecurity.org
 |access-date  = 23 July 2011
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111204002534/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/bullet_shot.htm
 |archive-date = 4 December 2011
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> ([[military operation]] name for [[temporary duty assignment]] of US-based [[technician]]s — "the herd shot 'round the world."<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/archive/index.php/t-126172.html
 |title       = USAF has hit Al Queda in Africa
 |author      = bootlen
 |date        = 1 September 2007
 |format      = forum
 |work        = ARP For non HVAC topics
 |publisher   = HVAC-Talk
 |access-date  = 15 July 2011
 |quote       = .... Participated in Operation Bulletshot (known affectionately as the herd shot 'round the world). We were given a 48-hour notification to launch the first aircraft from Dyess, bombers going to Guam and tankers to Okinawa.... We left on 89-day TDY orders and came back to Dyess for 30 days, then cycled back over, repeatedly till the end of the war. It was done that way for budgetary issues....
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111008200004/http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/archive/index.php/t-126172.html
 |archive-date = 8 October 2011
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>). The 303rd Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Wing (Provisional) was activated in July 1972. All of the provisional units remained at Andersen until bombing missions ceased on 15 November 1973.

[[File:Andersen AFB with 150 B-52s 1972.jpg|thumb|About 150 B-52s at Andersen AFB, fall 1972]]
[[Operation Linebacker II]] continued the mission of Operation Arc Light, and was most notable for its 11-day bombing campaign between 18 and 29 December 1972, in which more than 150 B-52s flew 729 [[sortie]]s in 11 days. The B-52s at Andersen, combined with other bombers stationed at [[U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield|U-Tapao Field]] in Thailand, constituted about 50 percent of SAC's total bomber force and 75 percent of all combat crews. Two bases contained the equivalent of 13 stateside bomber wings.

A ceasefire came into effect in Vietnam on 27 January 1973. The B-52s continued to fly missions over [[Cambodia]] and [[Laos]] until those were halted on 15 August 1973. With the end of these runs, more than 100 B-52s, both D and G Models, were deployed elsewhere in the world by October 1973. The [[Eighth Air Force]] moved to [[Barksdale Air Force Base]], [[Louisiana]], and the 3rd Air Division was reactivated on 1 January 1975.

When the North Vietnamese forces overran South Vietnam later in 1975, the base provided emergency relief and shelter for thousands of [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]] evacuees as a part of ''[[Operation New Life]]''. After the [[Fall of Saigon]], Andersen received almost 40,000 refugees and processed another 109,000 for transportation to the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pacaf.af.mil/Info/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/909895/andersen-air-force-base/|title=Andersen Air Force Base|website=Pacific Air Forces|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-12}}</ref>

The base returned to routine operations by the late 1970s, but continued to serve as one of SAC's strategic locations. Crews and aircraft were regularly sent to sites between Australia, [[Alaska]] and South Korea and supported sea surveillance operations support for the U.S. Navy.

Andersen was also home to the [[54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron|54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Typhoon Chasers"]] during the 1960s through the 1980s. Air crews flying [[WC-130]]s tracked and penetrated typhoons, providing advanced warnings to military and civilian populations throughout the western Pacific. During the Vietnam War, the 54th also provided [[cloud seeding]] capability along the [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]] and synoptic reconnaissance, deploying from [[Udorn RTAFB]] when not in Guam. The 54th WRS was inactivated in September 1987.

===Post-Vietnam===
In 1983, the 43rd completed its transition from the [[B-52 Stratofortress#B-52D|B-52D]] to the [[B-52 Stratofortress#B-52G|B-52G]] and became one of only two SAC bomber wings equipped with the [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon anti-ship missile]].

The base saw a major change in 1989, when control transferred from SAC to [[Pacific Air Forces]]. The 633rd Air Base Wing activated on 1 October 1989, which led to the inactivations of the 43rd Bombardment Wing on 26 March 1990 and the 60th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 30 April 1990.

In August 1990, Andersen personnel began shipping over 37,000 tons of munitions to forces in the [[Persian Gulf]] in support of [[Gulf War|Operations Desert Shield]] and [[Gulf War|Desert Storm]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/trump-s-plan-pay-border-wall-air-force-funds-risks-n1054091|title=Trump's plan to pay for border wall with Air Force funds risks national security, report says|last=Kube|first=Courtney|work=NBC News|language=en|date=13 September 2019}}</ref>

With the eruption of [[Mount Pinatubo]] in June 1991, Andersen was instrumental in caring for American evacuees and their pets as a part of [[Operation Fiery Vigil]]. In December, Andersen became home to the Thirteenth Air Force, which had evacuated from [[Clark Air Base]] in the [[Philippines]] after the eruption.

=== Post Cold War ===
[[File:B-1B at ground.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[B-1B bomber]] at Andersen]]
[[File:B-2 and F-15 over Andersen Air Force Base.jpg|thumb|250px|[[B-2 Spirit]] and [[F-15]]s over Andersen AFB, 2005]]
The host unit was changed on 1 October 1994, when the 633rd Air Base Wing was inactivated. The 36th Air Base Wing took over host operations and was redesignated as the [[36th Wing]] on 12 April 2006. In October 1994, the U.S. Navy's Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Five (HC-5) relocated to Andersen from the now-closed [[Naval Air Station Agana]], Guam.  HC-5 was later redesignated as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Twenty-Five ([[HSC-25]]) following its transition from the [[CH-46]] to the [[MH-60S]].

The base was one of the [[Space Shuttle#Landing sites|few places in the world]] where the [[NASA]] [[Space Shuttle]] was permitted to land, serving as an Augmented Emergency Landing Site for the Shuttle orbiter.<ref>{{cite web |author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/sts-els.htm |title=Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Sites |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |date=20 July 2011|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331115426/http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/sts-els.htm |archive-date=31 March 2016  }}</ref>

In 2007, the condition of the 50-year-old South Runway was found to have deteriorated, and complete removal and replacement of the runway was necessary to maintain safety. It was replaced via a 50 million-dollar Design-Build project from the [[Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency]] to the Tutor-Perini Corporation and its local subsidiary, Black Construction Company.<ref name=":0" /> The project's scope included demolition and reconstruction of the existing runway, which was 11,185 feet by 200 feet, as well as repairs and tie-ins to existing taxiway intersections, removal and replacement of degraded airfield lighting, realigning arresting gear and reconstruction.

On 23 February 2008, a USAF [[B-2 Spirit]] stealth bomber, one of the most expensive military aircraft in the world (valued at ${{formatprice|1400000000}}), [[Andersen Air Force Base B-2 accident|crashed on the base]] moments after takeoff, due to a mechanical failure.  Both pilots ejected safely. This was the first time a B-2 had crashed.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7260231.stm US stealth bomber crashes on Guam] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225223734/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7260231.stm |date=25 February 2008 }}, BBC News. Retrieved 23 February 2008.</ref>

On 21 July 2008, a B-52 [[2008 Guam B-52 crash|crashed into the sea]] while on a training mission that was to fly over a parade in Guam commemorating the U.S. liberation of the island from Japanese occupation in 1944.

[[File:B-52 over Guam.jpg|thumb|A B-52 Stratofortress and other planes flying over Guam, 2009]]

B-2s and B-52 aircraft from the [[13th Bomb Squadron]] and [[393d Bomb Squadron]] have taken turns in order to provide a continuous bomber presence at the base. One four-month deployment involving four B-2s began in March 2009.<ref>Dumat-ol Daleno, Gaynor, "Stealth Bombers to Deploy to Guam", ''[[Pacific Daily News]]'', 27 February 2009.</ref>

In March 2009, the base announced that it would investigate allegations made by a whistleblower of environmental violations within the [[Guam National Wildlife Refuge#Military overlay units|protected area]] of the base.  The allegations included poaching, illegal trapping of coconut crabs and resale of trophy deer, paving beaches, and stripping vegetation used for nesting by endangered hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles. [[Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility|Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)]] said, "The Air Force program for protecting Guam's natural resources has utterly broken down."<ref>''[[Pacific Daily News]]'', "Andersen To Review Alleged Environmental Violations", 7 March 2009.</ref> The Department of Defense Inspector General (DOD IG) determined that the Air Force responses to the PEER allegations adequately addressed the issues raised.  Consequently, DoD IG determined further investigation was not warranted.

The strategic importance of Andersen AFB was brought to the forefront on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 when the base was circled by two Russian [[Tupolev Tu-95|Tupolev Tu-95 Bear-H bombers]] hours prior to [[President Obama]]'s [[State of the Union]] Address. Their flight was monitored by US [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 fighter jets]]. The Russian bombers later left the area in a northbound direction.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sablan |first=Jerick |date=2013-02-17 |title=Russian bombers intercepted |pages=4 |work=[[Pacific Daily News]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pacific-daily-news-russian-bombers-inter/137152237/ |access-date=2023-12-21}}</ref>

As tensions escalated between the U.S. and the North Korean regime, the latter threatened to strike the island.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/08/politics/north-korea-considering-guam-strike-trump/index.html|title=North Korea threatens strike on Guam|author=Zachary Cohen and Euan McKirdy|website=cnn.com|date=8 August 2017 |access-date=24 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925123111/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/08/politics/north-korea-considering-guam-strike-trump/index.html|archive-date=25 September 2017}}</ref> A total of 816,393 munitions assets valued at over $95 million were delivered to Andersen Air Force Base between 21 August and 30 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/us-sends-hundreds-thousands-bombs-guam-north-korea-threat-22804|title=U.S. Sends Hundreds of Thousands of Bombs To Guam as North Korea Threat Looms|first=Ryan|last=Pickrell|website=The National Interest|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126162848/http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/us-sends-hundreds-thousands-bombs-guam-north-korea-threat-22804|archive-date=26 November 2017|date=19 October 2017}}</ref>

In early 2019, the main operational and flying units on the base included the 36th Wing (PACAF), elements of the [[624th Regional Support Group]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.624rsg.afrc.af.mil/Units.aspx|title=Units|website=www.624rsg.afrc.af.mil|access-date=2019-05-12}}</ref> the 734th Air Mobility Support Squadron (Air Mobility Command),<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.andersen.af.mil/Units/Wing-Tenant-Units/AMC-Passenger-Terminal/ | title=734th Air Mobility Squadron}}</ref> Detachment 1, [[69th Reconnaissance Group]], flying the [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.andersen.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/643452/69th-reconnaissance-group-detachment-1/|title=69th Reconnaissance Group, Detachment 1|website=Andersen Air Force Base|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-12|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512074658/https://www.andersen.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/643452/69th-reconnaissance-group-detachment-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two-Five (HSC-25), U.S. Navy, flying the [[Sikorsky MH-60S]].

In April 2020, sixteen years of continuous bomber presence (CBP) at Andersen ended when the USAF announced it was no longer permanently basing strategic bombers outside the continental United States. Since 2004, [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|B-1B Lancer]], B-2A Spirit and B-52G Stratofortress aircraft deployed to Guam on a rotational basis. Despite the move, bombers are expected to continue to deploy on an ad hoc basis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforcemag.com/air-force-ends-continuous-bomber-presence-in-guam/|title=Air Force Ends Continuous Bomber Presence in Guam|last=Everstine|first=Brian W.|date=17 April 2020|website=Air Force Magazine|publisher=Air Force Association|language=en-US|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref>

As part of the establishment of [[Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz]], additional facilities are being constructed on Andersen to house Marines to be stationed there. In addition, the North Ramp on Andersen is being converted for Marine Corps air operations and the abandoned housing facility Andersen South (south of the base proper) is being converted to an urban training compound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/new-base-expected-to-host-thousands-of-marines-begins-to-take-shape-on-guam-1.622106|title=New base expected to host thousands of Marines begins to take shape on Guam|last=Robson|first=Seth|website=Stars and Stripes|language=en-US|date=12 March 2020|access-date=31 Jan 2022}}</ref>

== Previous names, commands, and assignments ==
[[File:B-52 Stratofortress Takeoff.jpg|thumb|right|A B-52 from Barksdale AFB takes off from Andersen, 2007]]

* Established as North Field, December 1944 (station became operational on 3 February 1945)
* North Field AB Command, 9 May 1946
* North Army Air Base, 20 December 1947<ref name=afhra>{{cite web |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9653 |title=AF Historical Research Agency: ''19 AIR REFUELING GROUP (AMC)'' |publisher=Afhra.af.mil |access-date=25 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920081251/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9653 |archive-date=20 September 2011  }}</ref>
* North Air Force Base, 1 March 1948
* North Guam Air Force Base, 22 April 1948
* North Field Air Force Base, 1 February 1949
* North Guam Air Force Base, 1 March 1949
* Andersen Air Force Base, 7 October 1949–present
* Became part of [[Joint Region Marianas]], 1 October 2010–present

===Major commands assigned===
* [[Twentieth Air Force]], 3 February 1945
* [[PACAF|Far East Air Force]], 15 May 1949
* [[Strategic Air Command]], 1 April 1955
* [[PACAF|Pacific Air Forces]], 1 October 1989

===Major units assigned===
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* [[314th Air Division|314th Bombardment Wing]], 16 January 1945 – 15 May 1946
: [[19th Airlift Wing|19th Bombardment Group]], 16 January 1945 – 1 June 1953
: [[29th Flying Training Wing|29th Bombardment Group]], 17 January 1945 – 20 May 1946
: [[39th Air Base Wing|39th Bombardment Group]], 18 February – 17 November 1945
: [[330th Aircraft Sustainment Wing|330th Bombardment Group]], 18 February – 17 November 1945
* [[19th Air Refueling Group]], North Army Air Base Command (Provisional), 20 December 1947 – 17 August 1948<ref name=afhra/>
* North Guam Air Force Base Command (Provisional), 15 May 1946 – 24 August 1948
* [[19th Airlift Wing|19th Bombardment Wing]], 10 August 1948 – 1 June 1953
* 54th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 21 February 1951 – 18 March 1960
* 6319th Air Base Wing, 1 June 1953 – 1 April 1955
* [[3d Air Division]], 18 June 1954 – 1 April 1970
* [[92d Air Refueling Wing|92d Bombardment Wing]], 16 October 1954 – 12 January 1955
* [[509th Bomb Wing|509th Bombardment Wing]], 10 July – 8 October 1954
* [[6th Air Mobility Wing|6th Bombardment Wing]], 14 January – 12 April 1955
* 3960th Air Base Wing, 1 April 1955 – 1 April 1970
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[5th Bomb Wing|5th Bombardment Wing]], 14 January – 12 April 1955
* [[99th Air Base Wing|99th Bombardment Wing]], 29 January – 25 April 1956
* [[303d Aeronautical Systems Wing|303d Bombardment Wing]], 12 July – 4 October 1956
* [[41st Flying Training Squadron|41st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]], 5 August 1956 – 8 March 1960
* [[320th Air Expeditionary Wing|320th Bombardment Wing]], 5 October 1956 – 11 January 1957
* [[327th Air Division]], 1 July 1957 – 8 March 1960
* 605th Military Airlift Support Squadron, 27 December 1965
: Redesignated: 605th Airlift Support Squadron, 8 January 1966
: Redesignated: 734th Air Mobility Squadron, 1 June 1992 – present
* 4133d Bombardment Wing (Provisional), 1 February 1966 – 1 July 1970
* [[43d Airlift Wing|43d Strategic (later Bombardment) Wing]], 1 April 1970 – 30 September 1990
* [[633d Air Base Wing]], 1 October 1989 – 1 October 1994
* [[36th Air Base Wing]], 1 October 1994
: Redesignated: [[36th Wing]], 12 April 2006 – present
*[[HSC-25|Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two-Five]], 3 February 1984 – present
* Task Force Talon - US Army, E Battery, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment [[THAAD]] and support elements.
{{Col-end}}

== Location ==
The [[U.S. Census Bureau]] puts it into its own [[List of census-designated places in Guam|census-designated place in Guam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st66_gu/place/p6607900_andersen_afb/DC10BLK_P6607900_001.pdf|title=2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Andersen AFB CDP, GU|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2020-10-09}}</ref>

== Based units ==
Flying and notable non-flying units based at Andersen Air Force Base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.andersen.af.mil/Units/|title=Units|website=Andersen Air Force Base|publisher=US Air Force|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.andersen.af.mil/CBP/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925194802/http://www.andersen.af.mil/CBP/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2017|title=Continuous Bomber Presence Mission|website=Andersen Air Force Base|publisher=US Air Force|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Units|url=https://www.schriever.af.mil/Units/|access-date=2 August 2020|website=Schriever Air Force Base|publisher=US Space Force|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018232753/https://www.schriever.af.mil/Units/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Andersen, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

=== United States Air Force ===
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'''[[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF)'''

* [[Eleventh Air Force]]
** [[36th Wing]]
*** Headquarters 36th Wing
*** [[36th Operations Group]]
**** 36th Operations Support Squadron
*** 36th Contingency Response Group
**** 36th Contingency Response Squadron
**** 36th Contingency Response Support Squadron
**** [[Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers|554th RED HORSE Squadron]]
**** 644th Combat Communications Squadron
**** 736th Security Forces Squadron
*** 36th Maintenance Group
**** 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
**** 36th Maintenance Squadron
**** 36th Munitions Squadron
*** 36th Medical Group
**** 36th Medical Operations Squadron
**** 36th Medical Support Squadron
*** 36th Mission Support Group
**** 36th Civil Engineering Squadron
**** 36th Communications Squadron
**** 36th Contracting Squadron
**** 36th Force Support Squadron
**** 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron
**** 36th Security Forces Squadron

'''[[Air Combat Command]] (ACC)'''

* [[Sixteenth Air Force]]
** [[319th Reconnaissance Wing]]
*** [[319th Operations Group]]
**** 4th Reconnaissance Squadron – [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4B Global Hawk]] (seasonal)
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC)'''

* [[United States Air Force Expeditionary Center]]
** [[515th Air Mobility Operations Wing]]
*** 715th Air Mobility Operations Group
**** 734th Air Mobility Squadron (GSU)

'''[[Air Force Reserve Command]] (AFRC)'''

* [[Fourth Air Force]]
** [[624th Regional Support Group]]
*** 44th Aerial Port Squadron (GSU)
*** 624th Aerospace Medicine Flight
*** 624th Regional Support Group Operating Location-Alpha
*** 724th Aeromedical Staging Flight

'''[[Air National Guard]] (ANG)'''

* [[Guam Air National Guard]]
** 254th Air Base Group
*** 254th RED HORSE Squadron
*** 254th Security Forces Squadron

=== United States Navy ===
[[Commander, Naval Air Forces|'''Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR)''']]

* [[List of United States Navy aircraft wings|Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific]]
** [[HSC-25|Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25)]] – [[MH-60S|MH-60S Seahawk]]

=== United States Space Force ===
'''[[Space Operations Command]] (SpOC)'''
*Space Delta 6
**[[21st Space Operations Squadron]]
***Detachment 2 (GSU)
{{Col-end}}

==Education==
[[File:Andersen Elementary School (Guam).webp|thumb|Andersen Elementary School]]
Andersen Air Force Base is home to Andersen Elementary School and [[Andersen Middle School]], both operated by the [[Department of Defense Education Activity]] (DoDEA). High school students in the DoDEA system attend [[Guam High School (Guam)|Guam High School]] in [[Agana Heights, Guam]]. From the base, there is only school bus service to the high school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.militarymwrguam.com/modules/media/?do=inline&id=ec1335e8-67d4-4fde-824e-aabf8345f466|title=DoDEA Guam School Boundaries and Bus Transportation Zones|publisher=Military [[Morale, Welfare and Recreation]] Guam|accessdate=2023-07-07}}</ref>

Higher educational opportunities are available for those in the military, Department of Defense employees, and family members at Andersen through contracted academic institutions such as The Asian Division of [[University of Maryland University College]] (UMUC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asia.umuc.edu |title=University of Maryland University College Asia - UMUC Asia |publisher=Asia.umuc.edu |access-date=25 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227232531/http://www.asia.umuc.edu/ |archive-date=27 February 2014  }}</ref> and The Pacific Far East Division of [[Central Texas College]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pfec.ctcd.edu |title=Pacific Far East - Central Texas College |publisher=Pfec.ctcd.edu |date=18 July 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302123807/http://pfec.ctcd.edu/ |archive-date=2 March 2014  }}</ref>

===Andersen Middle School===
Andersen Middle School caters to a population of 6th to 8th graders from [[United States|American]] military families.  The school is within the [[Department of Defense Education Activity]] school system and the subsystem DDESS Guam. It has a 5-year accreditation obtained from the [[North Central Association of Colleges and Schools]].  In September 1997, DoDEA opened its own schools for children of military personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=12381|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912002508/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=12381|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2012|title=Guam School to Be Renamed in Honor of NASA Astronaut William McCool|date=21 August 2003}}</ref>

Andersen Middle School's sports include volleyball, cross country, softball, soccer, and basketball.

Andersen Middle School was founded in 1997 and was scattered across Andersen Air Force Base.  Classes for the original school were held in former Air Force dormitories. Many rooms had walls knocked out in order to accommodate class sizes. The original library for the elementary school was shared with the base library for its first year.  As of 2012, it is now permanently located in an air conditioned building.

Andersen Middle School adopted the [[block scheduling]] system. The required core classes are [[physical education]], [[mathematics]], [[science]], [[social studies]], [[Reading (process)|ELA]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and [[language arts]]. The elective classes include [[Marching band|band]], [[study skills]], [[video production]], [[culture]], [[Art|various art classes]] and [[drama]]. The school offers both a [[special education]] program and opportunities to take high school courses, such as [[algebra]] and [[geometry]].

==Accidents and incidents==
* On 23 February 2008, 'Spirit of Kansas', a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, [[2008 Andersen Air Force Base B-2 accident|crashed]] on one of Andersen's runways moments after takeoff.
* On 21 July 2023, a [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] [[Airbus CC-150 Polaris]] collided with a [[French Air and Space Force]] [[Airbus A400M Atlas]] on a [[Airport apron|ramp]] at the airfield. No injuries were reported. Both aircraft were at Andersen for an exercise. The cause for the collision is under investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boynton |first=Sean |date=2023-07-24 |title=Canadian, French military planes 'came into contact' at Guam air base |language=en-US |publisher=[[Global News]] |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9853572/canada-french-military-planes-contact-guam/ |access-date=2023-08-25}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Military installations of the United States in Guam|US military installations in Guam]]
* [[United States Army Air Forces in the Central Pacific Area]], historical
{{portal bar| United States}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== References ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
* {{USGovernment|url=http://www.andersen.af.mil|title=Andersen Air Force Base|agency=United States Air Force}}
* Maurer, Maurer. ''Air Force Combat Units of World War II''. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office 1961 (republished 1983, Office of Air Force History, {{ISBN|0-912799-02-1}}).
* Fletcher, Harry R. (1989). Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-912799-53-6}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Andersen Air Force Base}}
*{{Official website|https://www.andersen.af.mil/}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100628172911/http://www.andersen.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7063 Andersen Air Force Base History Factsheet]
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/andersen.htm Andersen Air Force Base] at GlobalSecurity.org
*[http://www.pacificwrecks.com www.pacificwrecks.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101010021958/http://limasite85.us/memorials1.htm "Arc Light Memorial" and "Combat Skyspot Memorial"]
*[[Historic American Buildings Survey]] documentation:
**{{HABS |survey=GU-2 |id=gu0011 |title=Andersen Air Force Base, Building 21000, North Field, Andersen Air Force Base, Yigo, Guam, GU |photos=30 |data=28 |cap=5 |link=no}}
**{{HABS |survey=GU-4 |id=gu0014 |title=Andersen Air Force Base, Air Craft{{sic|nolink=y}} Control and Warning Radar Tower, Mount Santa Rosa, Yigo, Guam, GU |photos=16 |data=4 |cap=1 |link=no}}
*[[Historic American Engineering Record]] documentation:
**{{HAER |survey=GU-5 |id=gu0010 |title=Andersen Air Force Base, Northwest Field, Ritidian Point, Northwestern End of Island Guam, Yigo, Guam, GU |photos=12 |data=44 |cap=3 |link=no}}
**{{HAER |survey=GU-5-A |id=gu0025 |title=Andersen Air Force Base, Northwest Field, Guam Tracking Station, Ritidian Point Quadrangle, Yigo, Guam, GU |photos=6 |data=13 |cap=1 |link=no}}
**{{HAER |survey=GU-9 |id=gu0017 |title=Andersen Air Force Base, North Field, Pati Point, Yigo, Guam, GU |photos=24 |data=42 |cap=3 |link=no}}
*Resources for this airport:
**{{AirNav|PGUA}}
**{{FlightAware Airport|PGUA}}
**{{NWS-obs|PGUA}}
**{{ASN|UAM}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130425030130/http://extranet.guam.pac.dodea.edu/andersenmiddleschool/default.aspx School Official Website]

{{Guam}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{USAF Pacific Air Forces}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{Yigo, Guam}}
{{Strategic Air Command}}
{{USAF Vietnam War}}
{{USAAF 20th Air Force World War II}}
}}

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[[Category:Installations of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Airports in Guam]]
[[Category:Military installations of the United States in Guam]]
[[Category:Installations of Strategic Air Command]]
[[Category:Military Superfund sites]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in the Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II]]
[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Guam]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Guam]]
[[Category:Superfund sites in Guam]]
[[Category:1944 establishments in Guam]]
[[Category:Middle schools in Guam]]
[[Category:Military airbases established in 1944]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Sites]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Guam]]
[[Category:Guam Highway 1]]