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Forum Focuses on Military Buildup

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070830-03
Release Date: 8/30/2007 7:42:00 AM

By Jesse Leon Guerrero, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs

TUMON, Guam (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy and representatives from Government of Guam shed some light on the status of ongoing military buildup projects and the transfer of thousands of Marines to the island at the 2007 Guam Industry Forum Aug. 23-24.

Business leaders who call Guam home joined U.S., Asian and other off-island visitors in making up the more than a thousand attendees who turned up for the event, which was held simultaneously at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort in Tamuning and the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa in Tumon.

Connected through fiber optic lines, the attendees watched and listened to the Navy and Government of Guam’s speakers as they alternated their presentations in real time.

During his keynote address, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment) B.J. Penn explained the purpose of the forum as being dedicated to information sharing between the federal government, people of Guam and business community.

Penn last visited Guam in January to talk about the Navy’s initial participation and the establishment of the Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO), which oversees and manages the relocation program.

“We may not have all the answers to the many questions that you have as we are still very early in the planning stages of this very complex undertaking,” said Penn. “However I am confident that the time you spend here over the next two days will be very informative, and we hope to gain from your collective wisdom how we can best achieve our goals in the most timely and cost-effective manner.”

Relocating the estimated 8,000 Marines and 9,000 family members who make up the III Marine Expeditionary Force, III Marine Logistics Group and other combat elements based in Okinawa is expected to cost $10.27 billion.

Of that construction program figured, the United States has agreed to provide $4.18 billion, while the Government of Japan picks up the difference of $6.09 billion.

Under the joint-plan, these service members are currently expected to start transferring to Guam in 2012, and complete that transfer by 2014.

“We need to foster trust, partnership and a team approach to meet the enormous challenges of this massive program,” said Penn.

With the influx of thousands of new residents to the island, Penn said Guam and its surrounding islands will benefit in many ways.

Not only will the military construction projects generate increased jobs and revenues for the construction industry, but the Marines and their families will also spend for services affecting housing, consumer spending, entertainment and other quality of life issues.

“The arrival of men and women who continue to volunteer in support of churches, schools, youth sports, philanthropic organizations and community events will add to the social fabric of the community,” Penn added.

Speaking from the Hilton, David Bice, executive director of JGPO, provided additional information on a wide range of topics affecting Guam’s participation in the project.

In addition to completing the studies required by the National Environmental Protection Act, Bice said they are looking closely at how Guam and how the federal government could improve the island’s roadways, utilities and other services.

He spoke at length about JGPO’s April scoping meetings, where close to 800 attendees from Guam, Saipan and Tinian provided more than 900 comments on the relocation’s affect on education, law enforcement, immigration, and other social and economic concerns.

“In the end, we will build a capability that enhances our national security, supports peace and stability in the Pacific, preserves Guam’s precious culture and provides economic opportunities for the people of Guam and surrounding islands,” said Bice.

As one of the local government’s speakers at the forum, Gov. Felix Camacho described the event as an opportunity for the island’s businesses, as well as national and multinational businesses, to identify how they could take part in the buildup.

“We don’t have a monopoly,” said Camacho. “We have a market share and we have local companies that have knowledge and technical expertise to ensure the success of this venture.”

Camacho stressed the island’s strategic location as being mutually beneficial for the people of Guam and the military, and he encouraged the assembled business owners to continue supporting the island with their investments.

“We are where America’s day begins, and we are Asia’s closest U.S. connection,” Camacho said.