On a routine visit to Andersen AFB, Guam, Pacific Air Forces commander, Gen. Paul Hester, told reporters that the base is not ready to host some 7,000 Marines that the Pentagon envisions shifting from Okinawa. (DR 11/01/05) Hester wasn’t saying the move won’t work, just that Andersen need more information and some time to plan. According to KUAM-TV, Hester speculated that the southern part of the base—with renovation—might serve as a home for the Marines.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
