U.S. Marines of Combat Logistics Company-34, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, pose for a photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, on Dec. 12, 2024.
HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A detachment of about 100 logistics support Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force has started to relocate from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam, according to a press release from the U.S. Marine Corps.
According to the release, the relocation falls in line with the July joint statement of the Security Consultative Committee, which confirmed the relocation of Marine Corps personnel from Okinawa to Guam beginning in 2024.
“Commencement of relocation to Guam signifies the first phase of relocating Marines to locations outside of Japan. The government of Japan and the United States government will continue to work together to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance, while mitigating the impact on local communities, including those in Okinawa,” the Marine Corps release stated.
No unit headquarters will be moving during this initial move, according to the release.
In addition to the joint statement from the Security Consultative Committee, Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero had stated back in June that she understood about 100 Marines would be coming to Guam this year.
The U.S. and Japan agreed in 2012 to move about 5,000 Marines out of Okinawa to Guam.
“Forward presence and routine engagement with allies and partners are essential to the United States’ ability to deter attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion and respond to crises in the region, to include providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when necessary. The Marine Corps is committed to the defense of Japan and meeting operational requirements to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Ultimately, the Marine Corps will maintain a forward presence in the Indo-Pacific through a combination of stationing and rotating Marines in Japan, Guam, and Hawaii,” the Marine Corps release stated.
“Guam relocation construction projects have been funded by government of Japan cash contributions of up to $2.8 billion in fiscal year 2008 dollars. These contributions mainly support infrastructure projects on Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Naval Base Guam, and Andersen Air Force Base. The United States government will fund any remaining costs while both governments continue to collaborate on the development of Camp Blaz, which will serve as the main installation for Marines stationed in Guam,” the release added.
The release also stated that deterrence and response capabilities will be strengthened by Marines and Japan Self-Defense Forces conducting joint training in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“Training locations include those whose development has been funded by government of Japan cash contributions. The United States government and (the) government of Japan will continue to discuss the possibility of further joint training opportunities,” the release stated.
“The United States government and (the) government of Japan will continue to collaborate by prioritizing alliance capabilities (and) optimizing alliance force posture to address increasing security challenges in the region, mitigating the impacts on Okinawa, and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the release added.
