Gen. Paul Hester, head of US Pacific Air Forces, predicts bomber rotations to Andersen AFB, Guam, will continue “for the next decade,” and fighter rotations might increase. Hester talked with reporters on a recent visit to Guam. (DR 12/02/05) The PACAF chief also said the base would become the permanent home for up to six Global Hawk UAVs. He would like to see the Air Force establish a Global Hawk Center of Excellence at Andersen. It would be a logical step, since, he says, allied countries in the region expect to purchase the UAV.
The Air Force overall reduced its size by 120 aircraft in fiscal year 2021, but kept about the same number of fighter, bomber and attack aircraft, according to data supplied by the service. The F-35 fleet saw the biggest increase while the B-1B bomber fleet saw the largest decline.