Andersen is playing host to a training deployment of about 250 Marines from Dec. through March. Marine Aircraft Group 12, commanded by Lt. Col. John Rupp, is deployed for six months to Marine Corps Air Station Inakuni Japan and is training here for about two months. The training is taking place in Guam for a variety of reasons. The main reason is the weather in Guam. The second reason for training on Guam is the minimal air traffic.
Pilots are able to train without worrying about conflicting with other aircraft in the area.
The third reason is the location. Guam is about 160 miles from the Farallon De Medinilla Range. They can fly to the site in about 20 minutes, do their training and fly back, where in other training areas they must fly farther and cannot accomplish as much in the same time. The primary function of this aircraft is to conduct day and night deep air support in all weather conditions. There will be 12 Hornets training out of Andersen, flying four aircraft in the morning and four more in the afternoon.