Still Ironing Out the Details

Air Force Global Strike Command and Pacific Air Forces are still ironing out the details to the Air Force’s proposed new permanent party detachment on Guam. AFGSC boss Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson has already signed a memorandum of understanding, and the agreement is now at PACAF waiting signature, said Lt. Col. Michael Pritchett, who has been tapped to lead Det. 4. “In our construct, the activities and work of the AFGSC detachment would be synchronized and done in close coordination with the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB, with their primary focus being support … for the continuous bomber presence mission,” said Wilson. “Administrative-type actions and funding would be accomplished through reachback to AFGSC through 8th Air Force.” Because Andersen is a joint base, Wilson said there also will need to be “a variety of agreements between Air Force and Navy entities” to support the detachment. However, because the commands are still working through the process, officials said it’s too early to know what all agreements are necessary. Once the detachment stands up, it is expected to not only provide continuity and long-term support to the rotating bomber units, but also alleviate some of the stress on home units, said Wilson. “This not only would enhance mission effectiveness, but … fewer home-station personnel would be required to deploy, allowing more time between deployments for some of these career fields.” The move also opens an overseas assignment location for B-52 maintainers, something that is not available now, he added. The deployment would be three if accompanied by dependents and two years if not, said Pritchett.