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AAFB honors lost Linebacker II airmen

by Heather Hauswirth

Guam - During the Vietnam War, there were 207 B-52 bombers strategically situated throughout Southeast Asia. Andersen Air Force Base bombers flew 379 of 729 sorties in 11 days in December of 1972 during the line Linebacker II campaign. 33 men never returned home.

Today at AAFB in Yigo, these men are remembered for their bravery. Brigadier General Phil Rhulman said, "This one has particular significance to Guam because we had 155 B-52s here for many, many years and Guam supported the end of the war by the bombers flying in Linebacker."

"The intention of the campaign was to force the North Vietnamese government to enter into negotiations with the U.S. for a cease fire agreement as at that time President Richard Nixon was working to meet his January deadline when the new Congress would begin session.  We remember the end of the war and we also need to remember the 33 men that never came back and their families are still alive so this brings that memory back," Rhulman added.

The Vietnam War imparted many lessons that men in service reflect on today.  Said the general, "As we see the growth of Guam with the military it reminds us how important Andersen Air Force Base is to that growth."

Many sons of Guam will be deployed to Afghanistan in the upcoming months to support President Barack Obama's call for a troop surge in Afghanistan, but today we stand in unity and reflect on the men who served from Andersen in years past.

For the next eleven days the flag will fly at half-staff to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Linebacker campaign.