PACOM deputy commander discusses military integration

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christine Martinez
  • 254th Air Base Group
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  U.S. Pacific Command's Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Daniel P. Leaf met with Guam's top military, private and public sectors officials to discuss the Guam Integrated Military Development Plan Sept. 12 at the Guam National Guard's Barrigada complex.

"The plan provides the framework, not the details," said General Leaf. "This plan outlines the changes and activities that are projected to occur on Guam during the next eight years in relation to the relocation of the Marines on Okinawa to Guam."

By 2014, approximately 8,000 Marines and 9,000 family members will relocate from Okinawa to Guam.

"Why Guam? It's far enough west, but not too far," the general said. He went on further to discuss that the shorter response time for contingencies and humanitarian missions.

Guam is the western-most U.S. territory.

Another deciding factor of the relocation to Guam is that "we can initiate operations without having to obtain foreign government approval," added General Leaf.

"The plan will exclude placing the Naval aviation activity into Northwest Field," said General Leaf.

"It's not the right place to put a significant presence of aviation activities here, so we're not going to move them here."

"It's a very complex decision for the Marines, it is also very complex for Guam," said the general.

When asked by one of the participants about whether more land will be needed for the relocation, the general stated that "what we need to do, we'll be able to put on the confines of existing Department of Defense land."

"In two years, we will start building," said General Leaf. "3,500 housing units are planned to be built. Aside from the housing units, there will be a Marine barracks built on Andersen," he added.

The move will also benefit Guam by bringing in additional revenue for the island. "Increasing the income tax base is key to overall benefit for Guam," said General Leaf.

"We're committed to doing this right with Guam in mind," he said. "Doing the right thing will benefit the people and island of Guam."

The general held a town meeting at the University of Guam Sept. 13 where he discussed the plan with the general public. General Leaf was also the guest speaker at the Air Force Ball Sept. 16 here.