By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

PENTAGON officials who visited Guam and the CNMI last week are happy with their tour and said their meetings with officials from both islands have been very productive.
The group was led by Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics William Anderson, and retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office.
During their visit, the delegation met with military leaders, government of Guam officials, and members of the island’s business community to discuss the transfer of Marines from Okinawa.
The delegation also visited Saipan to meet with government and business representatives.
All in all, the officials said they are pleased with the outcome of the visit.
“The visit to Guam and Saipan has been very productive. We have received a significant amount of positive feedback from both government and business officials,” Penn said.
The objective of the visit to the region was to foster partnerships with the local government and business communities.
“During our time in the region, we have expressed our intent to partner with the local community, which was well received. We look forward to working with the people of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to ensure a smooth and prosperous transition,” Bice added.
Penn is responsible for formulating policy and procedures for the effective management of Navy and Marine Corps’ real property, housing, and other facilities; environmental protection ashore and afloat; occupational health for both military and civilian personnel; and timely completion of closures and realignments of installations under base closure laws. He was appointed to the position in March 2005.
Bice was selected by Penn earlier this month to lead the planning, integration of operational support requirements, development, program and budget synchronization, construction oversight, and government and business coordination for the realignment of military forces on Guam.