44TH APS Celebrates 30 years on Guam, marks 30th anniversary of AF Reserve on Guam

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Erin Smith
  • 624th Regional Support Group Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  On March 21st, Guam Gov. Edward Calvo, signed a proclamation designating March as the Month of the Air Force Reserve. This date also marked the 30-year anniversary of the 44th Aerial Port Squadron and the Air Force Reserve on Guam.

The signing kicked off a week of festivities for the 44th APS and 724th Aeromedical Staging Flight, as they helped get the word out about the Air Force Reserve. On Thurs. and Fri., they had an informational and drug demand reduction booth at the Micronesia Mall, Saturday night was the 30th Anniversary celebration at the Holiday Resort and Spa, Tumon, Guam, and Sunday, the 44th APS hosted an open house, in which family and friends were invited to see the unit's mission.

The open house kicked off with a mission briefing, in which Master Sgt. Kelly Fitzpatrick, 44th APS and keynote speaker at the 30th Anniversary Celebration, explained how about 60 local Airmen started the 44th APS.

"The unit was stood up in a small concrete room," he said. "About five years later, the unit had 120 people and today, the unit is almost 400 strong and has been named the best Aerial Port Squadron in the Air Force five times."

The 44th APS commander was sure to note that such achievements are only possible through the dedication of the squadron's Airmen.

"The members of this organization are the highlight of any unit and the best gift any commander could receive," Maj. Anthony San Nicolas, 44th APS commander, said of the unit members.

He also thanked the spouses and children for their dedication to the 44th. He said they are the ones who pick up the slack and must take on roles of both husband and wife while the other is deployed.

"It's a privilege to be here," he said. "This is the best unit, filled with the greatest people in the Pacific and I'm proud to be here with you."