GUAM (Pacific Island Times) — Although the military is asking for comments on a proposed missile defense system for Guam, questions were raised at a legislative town hall meeting Monday night about whether the public has enough information to offer opinions.
Some residents questioned whether their opinions would even be considered by the military.
Former congressional Del. Robert Underwood, who is now chairman of the Pacific Center for Island Security, said the missile defense system “and all that will come with it will be a critical reordering of our lives here in Guam. To put it differently, this is a paradigm-shifting project that will affect each and every one of us who call this island home.”
A map provided by the military outlines the 20 potential sites for parts of the 360-degree missile defense system, which will involve a command-and-control center, missile launchers, interceptors, radars and sensors. The goal is to defend the island against cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missile attacks.
“Yet transparency is lacking. Honest and serious deliberation of (the missile system) requires us not only to know the bigger picture, but also some of the details,” Underwood said. “However, because the missile defense system has not disclosed what it wants to put on the 20 candidate sites, all that is being asked of our community is not clear.”
Joint Region Marianas Commander Rear Adm. Gregory C. Huffman was not able to attend the meeting, but he provided Speaker Therese Terlaje with a letter explaining that the military is preparing an environmental impact statement to evaluate potential impacts of a “system to defend Guam against rapidly evolving advanced missile threats from regional adversaries.”
Attendees and protesters in the legislative town hall meeting
