Marine Corps officially opens Guam base, with an eye toward China

MARINE CORPS SHARE OF THE DAY

Marine Corps officially opens Guam base, with an eye toward China
By Irene Loewenson
Saturday, Jan 28
Marines salute during the Camp Blaz reactivation ceremony on Guam on Jan. 26, 2023. (Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp/Marine Corps)

The Marine Corps on Thursday held an activation ceremony for its base on Guam, which ultimately will be home to about 5,000 Marines and will serve as a “strategic hub” in the Indo-Pacific, a Corps news release said.

The activation of Camp Blaz comes as part of the Marine Corps’ long-standing plans to move approximately 9,000 Marines from Okinawa, Japan — now home to more than 18,000 Marines — to outside of Japan beginning in 2024. That plan arose from a 2012 bilateral decision between the United States and Japan, which has faced pressure from Okinawa residents to reduce the U.S. military presence on the island.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT (Join to see)] Sgt (Join to see) GySgt Jack Wallace SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM PV2 Larry Sellnow SPC Gary C. SPC (Join to see) Amn Dale Preisach SGT Ruben Lozada 1SG Paul Ayotte CPT Richard Trione SFC Ralph E Kelley 1SG Patrick Burke PV2 Scott Mollette SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell Lt Col Charlie Brown