USAF 356th group redesignated to support theater amidst growing regional demands

BY SKYLER OBISPO
Journal Staff
 
The U.S. Air Force’s 356th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group,  based at Andersen Air Force Base, was redesignated as the 356th Expeditionary Theater Support Group on June 18.

According to the Pacific Air Force’s director of logistics, engineering, and force protection, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Zuhlsdorf, the change “symbolizes a continued investment as we usher in an era of developed capability. Allowing PACAF and INDOPACOM to set the theater quicker and more efficiently than ever.”

The change of command ceremony saw the group change leadership, from Col. Peter S. Joo, who assumed command in August 2024, to incoming commander Col. Tyrone C. Manegdeg. 

Manegdeg said he arrives at a “time of great consequence.”

“The Indo-Pacific theater has really become the center of gravity for a lot of our priorities within the [Department of Defense],” he said. 

The Journal reported in May that the House Committee on Armed Services transmitted a measure to allocate $10.7 billion to the region, which includes $450 million for airfield improvements across the region.

Redesignating the 356th from a civil engineering group to a theater support group allows it to conduct a broader scope of work which could include a wider range of logistics, sustainment, and operational support capabilities, while maintaining its civil engineering capacity. This is the first theater engineer group assigned to the Indo-Pacific in support of U.S. air force since World War II when the 957th aviation engineer group was established to support the U.S. army air corps. 

The 356th group was originally activated on Aug. 11, 2023 and consisted of the 356th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron and the 512th Expeditionary Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Squadron.

Its original mission was to support the Pacific Air Force’s engineering requirements across the Indo-Pacific region which include Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, and Australia.

Recently, the 356th ECEG has been active in Tinian to restore the North Field air base and paving projects at AAFB’s Northwest Field.

According to Philip Mendiola-Long, president of Sherman Consulting, at the Society of American Military Engineers Industry Forum in 2024, roughly two-thirds of the island is ready for military building. Approximately $2.6 billion dollars has been projected for the DoD and federal investments for the island.

Manegdeg said with the expanded scope of work, they’ll continue to work with the NMI government.

“As far as relationships, it’s really just doubling down on strengthening those relationships … and [seeing] what we could help out with,” he said.

Manegdeg said with the 356th ETSG conducting operations in the NMI, businesses could see some benefits.

“I think we’re helping out there when we go [on temporary duty],” he said. mbj