A major transition for the tiny island of Guam

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AP) - Sprawling toward the horizon, Andersen Air Force Base is surprisingly quiet

Long-range B-2 bombers have begun regularly deploying to Guam

During the next six years, nearly 25,000 U.S. Marines, soldiers, family members and civilian Defense Department employees are to descend on the tiny Pacific island of Guam, transforming the sleepy tropical outpost into a hub of America's military in the Pacific.

But the metamorphosis seems as fragile as it is ambitious.

Guam's transformation will cost at least $15 billion - with Japan footing more than $6 billion - and will put some of the U.S. military's highest-profile assets within the fences of a vastly improved network of bases.

The newcomers will find an island already peppered with strip malls, fast-food franchises and high-rise hotels serving Japanese tourists who want a closer-to-home version of Hawaii. The plans for the base are fueling a fresh construction and real estate boom, which Guam hopes will accelerate its prosperity.

Guam, however, is smaller than some Hawaiian islands, with a population of just 155,000, and many of its officials are worried the military influx could leave the island's infrastructure - water, highways and seaport - overwhelmed and underfunded.

Felix Camacho, the elected Republican governor of the U.S. territory, says he thinks the troop influx will be "tremendous" for Guam's economy in the long run, but it will be "a difficult and complex process."

"I remain hopeful," he said. "Our challenge is that we know that the Department of Defense and Japan will build a first-rate base," while Guam has "limited capacity" to develop its own infrastructure to absorb the influx, he said.

Collapse

The whole plan could collapse, however, if Japan fails to build a replacement for a busy Marine Corps air base on its southern island of Okinawa - a festering issue that one senior U.S. military official acknowledged is fraught with difficulties.

The buildup in Guam is designed, in large part, to ease the long-standing over-concentration of forces on Okinawa, the U.S. military's key Pacific outpost since the 1950s, without pulling them back too far from such potential flash points as Taiwan and North Korea.

Although China and Russia, the U.S.'s main rivals in the Pacific, have been quiet, North Korea is characteristically wary. In an editorial, the state-run Minju Joson newspaper said the shift is meant to enable the Pentagon "to carry out its strategy for a surprise pre-emptive attack."

But keeping the Marines at their present levels on Okinawa has become unrealistic.

By treaty with Tokyo, more than 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed throughout Japan, which pays billions of dollars each year to support them, more than any other country with a U.S. base on its territory.

Okinawans have long complained their crowded island has to absorb too much of the presence - and of the crimes and other misbehavior - of U.S. personnel stationed there. More than half of the U.S. troops in Japan are on Okinawa, as is Kadena, the biggest U.S. air base in the region.

Practical

In U.S.-Japanese negotiations, Guam has emerged as the most practical alternative.

Okinawans have generally welcomed the move, and Tokyo has pledged to invest nearly $3 billion in building barracks, offices and other facilities for the troops on Guam, and to lend another $3.3 billion for developing supporting infrastructure.

Roughly 10,000 Marines are to stay on Okinawa, however, and Tokyo has run into serious opposition in trying to move the Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to a less congested part of Okinawa. Many Okinawans want it off the island altogether.

Lt. Gen. Edward Rice, commander of the U.S. forces in Japan, says the whole move to Guam depends on Futenma getting new premises on Okinawa.

Historically known as a harbor for U.S. bases, Guam is a strategic stopping point for ships and aircraft. In addition to being the westernmost territory of the United States, it houses Apra Harbor, one of the largest protected deep water harbors between Hawaii and the Philippines.

Guam has served as an important U.S. military outpost since World War II, but is taking on increased importance with the relocation of Marine forces from Japan. The island is set to become a rapid-response platform for problems from pirates to terrorists to tsunamis, as well as a highly visible reminder to China that the United States is nearby and watching.

The buildup plan, to be carried out by 2014, represents a major realignment of U.S. forces in the Pacific:

* About 8,000 Marines are to be shifted 1,200 miles southeast, from Okinawa to Guam, making it the Corps' second-largest permanent overseas staging and training area.

* The Navy has already deployed three nuclear-powered submarines to Guam and is seeking improvements to accommodate the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which carries about 5,000 sailors and airmen.

* The Army wants to deploy a ballistic missile defense task force, which would bring roughly 630 soldiers and 1,000 dependents to Guam.

* Military planners are considering bringing in the new F-22 fighters as well - though details remain sketchy - along with Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft and a dozen tankers.

Aussie warship turned into party boat for US rockers

IT will be all aboard HMAS XBox for Fall Out Boy fans when the navy turns one of its biggest warships into a party boat this month.

The US rockers will command the deck of HMAS Tobruk at Garden Island for an exclusive event to promote music-themed video games, with tickets distributed in competitions.

The concert is the second of the XBox Sounds banner "money-can't-buy" shows launched by Pussycat Dolls at the Sydney Opera House.

A spokesman for XBox Sounds said all expenses for the February 22 event were incurred on a "cost recovery basis".

"It's a free event but any costs will be incurred by Microsoft," he said. "The navy have been great, fantastic to deal with. It is something they have seen as a positive thing."

The RAN confirmed the cost arrangement was "a usual practice with defence events of this nature. A legal agreement is being drafted between Microsoft and navy to ensure there is no undue cost to navy for this event."

Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas approved the event on the basis it would convey the navy to a youth audience in a cost effective manner.

XBox will give away 400 tickets, with another 100 for HMAS Tobruk's crew of 140 personnel.

Don't Give Up The Ship!!

The final words of Captain Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813) American Naval officer, are painted onto the USS Lake Erie (CG-70), seen here during a 2008 missile launch.

It really kind of makes you wonder if the business of the Navy and all the typical gripes that are associated with it stem from all the contingency plans needed.

There are really too many unforeseen problems caused because of shifts in government to start with. China is evolving it's military might, but with that Japan still has problems with US Marines, let alone China. I know you say what does that have to do with the Navy?

How about moving 18,ooo Marines and their families away from Okinawa because of safety issues and noise caused by having two new runways being build at the Naval Air Station for jets.

Hey Japan doesn't really like the problems caused by the Marines. So how long will take to get 18,0000 marines 3000km back to Japan from Guam? We all know there's an airwar with tons of missles launched before hand.

So whose life's are in harms way the Marines or Japanese Civilians?

Ports of Call Vow for Military Business

My second point being about just where to place a huge aircraft carrier for the sake of staving off any threats from Chavez. It's all about saving traveling time. Right?

Why should you send a $ 6 billion dollar carrier to Ft. Lauderdale? They have had enough problems with March Break mania college festivities. Does the area expect to makeup for the 37% over budgeted ship to gain in the end for the taxpayers? It may take a long time. Being that it will be out to sea more often than not.

There could be more to add to this. Considering that pirates are rampent. Should be a demand for Marines and ships no matter what the cost.