Guam buildup

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:05:41 -0400

So I was reading a Navy Times article about Guam getting money for building the base up. In a time of Government miss spending and a tighter fiscal belt, is this really needed? I've never been to the base, it may very well be that bad, so what are your thoughts?

http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140814/NEWS05/308140068/DoD-submits-Guam-military-buildup-plan-Congress

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 10:31 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:31:29 -0400

It aligns with out Pacific-Pivot strategy. I have never been there either, but I know we fly Air Force B-52s from there and that aircraft carriers can dock there also. I'm sure there is lots of other activities as well. It seems that the Air Force always needs a higher standard of living than the other services (I am pretty sure it is one of their recruiting draws) and if additional forces are stationed or transit through the island, I am sure they will need more and better developed infrastructure to support it all. If we are serious about our Asia focused Pacific-Pivot strategy, then it makes sense it build up Guam, Hawaii, Japan, and Korea. Australia is beginning to host bilateral training with the Marines, we do Balikatan every year with Thailand, and RIMPAC is always huge, so I would expect the supporting infrastructure and basing will need to keep pace. The story is still developing but I would be curious to know how much money will be released and when construction will be starting.