ANDERSEN AFB, Guam - Most people are drawn to this tiny Pacific island for the warm weather, pristine coral reefs and lush tropical flora.  Japanese honeymooners flock here and this U.S. territory is closer to Japan, the Philippines and Australia than to its closest American neighbor Hawaii.  Because of its location in the western Pacific and west of the international dateline, it's the first place on American soil to see the sun rise each morning.

But for the son of a Hudson man, this tropical paradise is the backdrop to what is shaping up to be one of the most strategic and important staging areas for the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific region.  Tech. Sgt. Gary A. Meister II, son of Gary A. Meister of Somerset Road, Hudson, is helping transform this sleepy outpost into one of national importance for U.S. military strategy in the 21st Century.

Meister is a quality assurance chief inspector with the 734th Air Mobility Squadron.  "I inspect my fellow airmen performing their duties during all phases of aircraft maintenance.  I also interpret regulations as they pertain to aircraft maintenance and train individuals on all of the tasks which pertain to aircraft maintenance," said Meister, who graduated in 1992 from Hudson High School.

Andersen is no stranger to strategic importance, though.  The base was created as a staging area and airstrip in 1944 to allow B-29 bombers to attack mainland Japan during the latter part of World War II.  The base has grown tremendously in importance since then, mushrooming to over 15,000 airmen with constant B-52 missions over North Vietnam during the early '70's.  Since Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the early '90's, Andersen has become a deployment mecca for B-52, B-1 and B-2 bomber units focusing on a new mission - the global war on terror.

"The build up is increasing our airflow which is allowing for more training opportunities for the younger airmen and the need for more aircraft inspections," he said.

Off duty, Meister and fellow airmen are privy to a literal paradise.  On a tropical island 30 miles long and nine miles wide, airmen can find white sandy beaches ringed by pristine coral reefs, crystal-clear water teeming with exotic marine life, a balmy tropical climate and gentle trade winds.  Add a slew of restaurants, resorts and shopping areas and it's easy to see why Guam has become the Air Force's best kept secret.

"Guam has a low temperature of 76 and a high temperature of 86 all year round, so it is a great place to be.  It is a tropical paradise with palm trees and beautiful beaches," said Meister.

Tech. Sgt. Gary A. Meister II is a quality assurance chief inspector assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. 
(Photo by Larry Simmons)

Four F-15E Strike Eagles fly in formation over the southern point of Guam after completing aerial training there.  They are assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and are deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.  (Photo by Cecilio Ricardo)

Airmen from the 2nd Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale, La., do a phase inspection on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft here. 
                            (Photo by Val Gempis)
 

Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group conduct a morning workout at Tarague Beach to stay "Fit to Fight."  The 36 CRG's physical training is structured to keep the Airmen from the group in top physical condition and ready to respond to any call short-notice deployment.  (Courtesy Photo)

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