Guam Provides Excellent Training Environment

Not only is the weather better here than at home, but their deployment is providing them with a great training environment, said Airmen from of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. About 300 people from various specialties arrived here in February to support Minot’s six B-52 Stratofortress aircraft conducting operations in the Pacific. Some wing Airmen said what they have learned and experienced operating in the Pacific Rim has been invaluable. Others mentioned that they are just glad to get away from the freezing temperatures at Minot and enjoy the tropical climate here.

“We’re very excited to be here. This training is a real change of pace for us,” said Senior Master Sgt. Wayne Guilbault, deployed munitions flight chief.

Normally, when the Airmen deploy they rapidly build munitions to support combat missions. In this environment, they also get the opportunity to build a lot of munitions but the pace is slower. For almost a month, Sergeant Guilbault’s crew has been working side-by-side with their Andersen counterparts at the munitions storage area here. During the past two weeks the team assembled more than 400 bombs for aircrews to drop.

Sergeant Guilbault said this mission not only allows them to satisfy aircrew training, but it also helps Andersen get rid of some of its older munitions that were causing a maintenance backlog. Second Lt. Tim Troup, an aircraft maintenance officer, said this deployment has been great for his Airmen.

“We have young people who have never deployed before,” Lieutenant Troup said. “This training helps them get a better idea of what it’s like to work away from home.”

He also said being here gives his people the chance to correct their mistakes without the added pressure of real-world missions or the distractions of home-station operations. Senior Airman Lester Smith, an engine mechanic, said that the best things about Guam are the weather is always nice, and the sky is always clear.

“Although it can get very hot at times, working in this heat beats being out on the flightline when the temperature dips below zero,” he said.

The 5th BW Airmen are the first rotation to deploy to Guam following the decision to station a bomber force here. Their presence here is part of U.S. Pacific Command’s ongoing force posture adjustment.

ANN thanks USAF Master Sgt. Val Gempis.

FMI: www.af.mil