Marine fighter jets to train at Andersen Air Force Base - Guam

Beginning Saturday, 20 F/A-18 fighter jets from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, will be on island to train at Andersen Air Force Base.

Some 400 personnel including those from the Marine Aircraft Group 12 will participate in the air-to-air and air-to-ground training, according to a release from 36th Wing Public Affairs, Andersen Air Force Base. The training exercise is expected to run through the end of the month.

There may be an increase in noise from the fighters, but residents shouldn't be alarmed, Air Force spokeswoman Tech. Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio said.

"Andersen has a rotational fighter tour part of the theater security package," she said. "It's nothing new. It's just something different as far as having Marine Corps aircraft here."

Service members from Marine Aircraft Group 12 also will keep busy in various events in the local community during their stay here, Del Vecchio said. They will volunteer their time at different schools for Red Ribbon Week, participate in activities for youths at the Department of Youth Affairs, paint bus stops and volunteer during the Guam Ko'ko' Race set for this month.

Throughout the year, Andersen hosts several aircraft training events in addition to the permanently stationed RQ-4 Global Hawks, tanker, fighter aircraft and bomber training.

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