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HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
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CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
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JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
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JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF - RED HILL
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
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Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
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KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
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USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
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U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
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FF25: Blaze of Friendship
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
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Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
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U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
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31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
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F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
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USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
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EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
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Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
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Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
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31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
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Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
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BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
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Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
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Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
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BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
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Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
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Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
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Staging
Staging
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MQ-9 maintainers, planners integrate during Freedom Flag 25-1
MQ-9 maintainers, planners integrate during Freedom Flag 25-1
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MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
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Balikatan 25: 353rd SOW, Philippine Special Forces Regiment conduct static line jump training
Balikatan 25: 353rd SOW, Philippine Special Forces Regiment conduct static line jump training
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Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
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Balikatan 25: MADIS initial live fire drill
Balikatan 25: MADIS initial live fire drill
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MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
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Balikatan 25: Marines deploy NMESIS to Basco
Balikatan 25: Marines deploy NMESIS to Basco
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Balikatan 25: JOTC Completes HELOCAST Insertion Training
Balikatan 25: JOTC Completes HELOCAST Insertion Training
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Balikatan 25: MRF – D 25.3, ADF conduct air insert into Rizal
Balikatan 25: MRF – D 25.3, ADF conduct air insert into Rizal
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Night Shoot | Marines participate in a Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course
Night Shoot | Marines participate in a Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course
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MASS-2 recovers tactical vehicle in rain
MASS-2 recovers tactical vehicle in rain
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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B-1B Lancers arrive at Japan for BTF 25-2 Deployment
B-1B Lancers arrive at Japan for BTF 25-2 Deployment
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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ROK, US forces showcase airpower ahead of Freedom Flag 25-1
ROK, US forces showcase airpower ahead of Freedom Flag 25-1
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Balikatan 25: 317th AW delivers varsity airlift to the Indo-Pacific
Balikatan 25: 317th AW delivers varsity airlift to the Indo-Pacific
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31st MEU | Fast Rope Sustainment
31st MEU | Fast Rope Sustainment
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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US Airmen deploy in support of first Bomber Task Force mission to Japan
US Airmen deploy in support of first Bomber Task Force mission to Japan
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31st MEU | Jungle Field Exercise
31st MEU | Jungle Field Exercise
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USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducts flight operations in the Coral Sea
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducts flight operations in the Coral Sea
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B-1s train with ROKAF, conduct flyover
B-1s train with ROKAF, conduct flyover
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Philippine and U.S. Soldiers Enhance Interoperability in Jungle Tracking Course
Philippine and U.S. Soldiers Enhance Interoperability in Jungle Tracking Course
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U.S., Indian joint forces conduct large-scale amphibious landing drill during Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025
U.S., Indian joint forces conduct large-scale amphibious landing drill during Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025
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Abraham Lincoln conducts flight operations
Abraham Lincoln conducts flight operations
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Yokota in full bloom
Yokota in full bloom
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CFAS Hosts Sasebo Fleet Friendship Day
CFAS Hosts Sasebo Fleet Friendship Day
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U.S. and Indian Armies strengthen alliances during Tiger Triumph
U.S. and Indian Armies strengthen alliances during Tiger Triumph
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>>>
PACOM Stories
All Under Control: Pacific Air Forces’ Tallest Control Tower Back in Service
27 July 2017
From Senior Airman Alexa Ann Henderson
Download
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --
A B-1B Lancer roars above the MSN-7 Mobile Tower System situated in the middle of Andersen Air Force Base’s flightline. With lightning thundering in the distance, the controller radios in a warning to the pilots as they depart Andersen’s airspace. The rain comes crashing down on the mobile tower and visibility begins to diminish.
For three months, 36th Operation Support Squadron Airmen have been working out of the mobile tower, while the primary control tower underwent renovations. The MSN-7 Mobile Tower was provided by the 297th Air Traffic Control Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard.
“It’s almost like being deployed out here,” said Staff Sgt. Tiffany Degracia, 36th OSS air traffic controller. “We are working with the bare minimum; a crash phone, light gun and radio system. It’ll be awesome to go back to the tower once it’s all set up.”
The primary tower that reaches 13 stories in the air was originally built in the 1960s. Over the years, the roof begun to leak and the glass had lost its sealant, causing condensation between the panes of glass, making it more difficult for Airmen to work.
“My Airmen are the most professional I've seen in my career,” said Master Sgt. Albert Moody, 36th OSS tower chief controller. “They were able to transition to the MSN-7 and back into the control tower without any blueprints. They were given the orders and executed without any limitations or delays to the mission.”
“It was amazing how we were able to work during exercises,” Moody said. “Now, the Airmen have a tower that equals the amazing work that they do.”
The new tower top has new glass, desks and flooring to better help the controllers keep an eye on the sky.
“Being an air traffic controller is really stressful,” Degracia said. “For me, and I think everyone else that works up here, we love the challenge and it helps us to strive and be even better than we were yesterday.”
The $1.6 million project that involved removing the old cab and replacing it with the new one only took three months to complete.
“I’m excited to see this project to fruition from being there from the very beginning,” Moody said. “Our Airmen deserve it.”
Moody, having worked in air traffic control for his 18-year career, has witnessed crashes, parts falling off aircraft, and even insurgents shooting at aircraft. Even with that, he says that he still loves his job.
“I love that every day is different,” Moody said. “No two planes will be in the same places every day. What works today may not work tomorrow so it allows for creativity. Air traffic control is easy until the unexpected happens.”
The historic project of upgrading the air traffic control tower cab included support from multiple units, such as the 36th Communications Squadron, 36th Civil Engineering Squadron, 36th Maintenance Group, 36th Mission Readiness Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, and the 644th Combat Communications Squadron in addition to the hard work of the 36th OSS.
With their new and improved equipment, the controllers are able to more safely and more efficiently maintain Andersen’s airspace so that the missions can continue uninhibited.
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