The top Air Force officer at Andersen AFB, Guam, says the base will not get the $350 million service officials had projected for Fiscal 2007. Col. Michael Boera, 36th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, on Jan. 25 told members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce that the base was to receive less than $100 million, according to the Pacific Daily News. Boera indicated that plans would be drawn out over several more years, but the Andersen build up would continue. Why is he so certain? Boera explained that the Pacific Region is ripe for a confrontation. He maintains people would be “kidding themselves” if they think otherwise.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.