By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

A crew from the United States Air Force Civic Action Team 07-03 has just finished installing 72 solar powered aviation lights as Angaur’s airport has been reopened.
Capt. Ryan Walinski led last Friday’s simple inaugural ceremonies at the former Japanese airstrip following the untoward incident that Vice President and Justice Minister Elias Camsek Chin and his party experienced while on their way to Angaur.
Chin along with Angaur Governor Horace Rafael and other officials and guests went back home before they could even reach Peleliu Island after rains struck and the breakdown of one of the motors of the boat from the National Emergency and Management Office that carried them.
A crew from the Peleliu Marine Law Enforcement Unit rescued them back to Koror.
However, another boat that carried a team from the Bureau of Public Safety was able to reach Angaur after three hours of braving the rains and zero visibility.
US Charge d’ Affairs Mark Bezner was also with the CAT Team.
Walinski said that the installation of the aviation lights started two weeks ago on Dec. 12 and was completed on Dec. 19.
The airstrip is approximately 6,950 ft. long and 120 ft. wide.
Walinski said that each light costs $350.
The CAT crew that installed the lights included TSgt Chris Jayne (Team Leader), SSgt Nick Leurer, Maurice Takawo and Alder Santos.
Walinski said four inmates from the Bureau of Corrections and people from the community helped the CAT Team during the installation.
While in Angaur, Walinski said that the CAT crew showed a total of 13 movies to the community, about two movies a night during their stay.