ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Members from Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam, participated in Exercise GOLDEN BEE, a joint readiness exercise designed to provide training integration and rehearse strategic and operational objectives in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility at Andersen AFB, Sept. 22-28, 2022.
Hosted at the Forward Edge in the Indo-Pacific and led by Air Mobility Command, many units and Airmen came together to participate in Exercise GOLDEN BEE. Units from Andersen AFB that played key roles in the exercise are: 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 36th Operations Support Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 644th Combat Communications Squadron.
Participating members proved their operational readiness by rapidly off-loading and reloading High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems in an austere location, preforming aeromedical evacuation movements, and conducting hot refuel and defuel training. Additionally, for the first time, two U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed on Northwest Field at Andersen AFB.
“Since we are not collocated with mobility aircraft, it is sometimes difficult for the 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) to get the required training to maintain proficiency for expeditionary airfield operations,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Smith, commander of the 36th Contingency Response Squadron (CRS).
Airmen from the 36 CRG were prepared to prevail during Exercise GOLDEN BEE, as the week prior they participated in a tractor trailer rodeo that simulated the scenario that occurred during the exercise.
“The design of the rodeo was two tractor trailers with palletized cargo would arrive at the airfield at the same time and a two-person port team would be timed during their download and reupload of the cargo, receiving grades on their placement of the cargo and penalties for safety infractions,” said Smith. “The rodeo tested the 36 CRG’s ability to quickly turn multiple aircraft simultaneously, which properly prepared them for their following week’s task, Exercise GOLDEN BEE.”
During Exercise GOLDEN BEE, operations were conducted at Northwest Field where the landing zone has a maximum capacity of two aircraft on the ground. Members involved had to be equipped to get both aircrafts off the ground safely, efficiently and quickly in an austere environment.
“Members of the aerial port team with 36 CRG had to critically think, react and engage any problem sets discovered during the joint inspection of uploading and unloading procedures while operating with a sense of urgency and purpose,” said Master Sgt. Gabriel Hayashi, the production superintendent of 36 CRS.
The exercise was hosted at Andersen AFB, a main hub of training in the Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility (AOR). Exercise GOLDEN BEE showcased joint interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, while performing strategic and operational objectives in support of Agile Combat Employment initiatives.