All articles tagged with #guam
Residents of Guam are increasingly concerned about China's military advancements, including new missile capabilities dubbed the 'Guam Killer,' amid rising geopolitical tensions and China's display of military power, though US military preparations aim to bolster defense and reassure the local population.
B-2 stealth bombers have been deployed from Missouri to Guam, with possible plans to reach Diego Garcia, amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The deployment is likely related to potential military actions against Iran's nuclear sites, especially Fordow, using powerful bunker-busting bombs, with Diego Garcia serving as a strategic base for operations close to Iran. The situation highlights increased U.S. military readiness in the region.
Multiple US B-2 stealth bombers are heading to Guam amid escalating tensions with Iran over its nuclear program, with no current orders given. The deployment, including refueling tankers, is part of strategic positioning, possibly related to potential military actions against Iran, but the final decision remains undecided.
The US military has halted development of the AN/TPY-6 radar on Guam amid broader uncertainties about the island's missile defense system, which includes multiple components like missile launchers and command systems. Despite initial plans for a comprehensive defense architecture, funding, personnel, and infrastructure challenges, along with strategic shifts, cast doubt on the future of the radar and the overall system deployment, raising concerns about Guam's defense against regional threats.
The Missile Defense Agency successfully conducted its first-ever ballistic missile intercept test from Guam, marking a significant step in developing an integrated air and missile defense system for the strategic island. The test involved an Aegis Guam System using an AN/TPY-6 radar and a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptor to destroy a Medium Range Ballistic Missile target. This effort is part of a broader initiative to enhance Guam's defense capabilities against evolving threats, with the U.S. Army leading the acquisition and execution plan for the Guam Defense System.
Residents of Guam are participating in the U.S. presidential election, despite their votes not counting in the Electoral College. This symbolic act reflects their desire for political representation and recognition within the broader U.S. political system, highlighting ongoing discussions about voting rights and the status of U.S. territories.
North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile off its east coast, indicating its continued development of missiles capable of targeting American military bases in the Western Pacific. The missile, which did not fly over Japan, fell in waters between the two countries after flying for 372 miles. Analysts believe the test may have involved a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile powered by a solid-fuel engine, making it faster to launch and more difficult to intercept. This development poses a potential threat to U.S. territories like Guam in the Western Pacific.
The US Air Force conducted a live-fire test of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) from a B-52H bomber at Guam’s Andersen Air Force Base, gaining valuable insights into the hypersonic missile's capabilities. This test, despite the Air Force's previous intention to disband the ARRW program, marks the first launch of an American hypersonic weapon in the region and is seen as a signal to China. Guam's strategic significance in the Pacific and China's growing anti-access/area denial capabilities make the development and testing of hypersonic weapons essential, with China closely monitoring the situation.
Guam's delegate, Rep. James Moylan, warns of an influx of illegal Chinese migrants infiltrating the territory, posing a threat to US national security and military bases. He seeks aid from the Biden administration to combat the issue, citing instances of illegal entry and hacking attempts by the Chinese Communist Party. With Guam's strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region, Moylan emphasizes the need to strengthen the island's defenses and deter the CCP's interests, highlighting bipartisan support in Congress and the authorization of funding for military infrastructure and missile defense systems.
A new case of dengue fever has been reported on Guam, with health officials stating that it was likely imported rather than acquired locally. This is the second case on the island this year. While dengue fever is not endemic to Guam, the presence of the mosquito species capable of transmitting the virus poses an ongoing threat. Public health authorities are conducting surveillance and urging residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate breeding sites. Symptoms of dengue fever and its severe form, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, are listed, along with recommendations for diagnosis and prevention.
House China Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher is urging the United States Army to address the increasing missile threat from China towards Guam, a strategically important U.S. territory. Gallagher expressed concerns about Guam's vulnerability to China's extensive arsenal of cruise missiles, which could target U.S. assets in the region. He called for transparency regarding delays in deploying a ground-based missile defense system and inquired about plans to enhance Guam's defense capabilities, including potential collaboration with allies Japan and Australia. Gallagher emphasized the urgency of fortifying Guam's defenses amid escalating tensions in the Pacific.
Two cases of the EG.5 (Eris) sub variant of Omicron, a new variant of COVID-19, have been confirmed on Guam. Although the variant is transmissible, it is not as severe. The Department of Public Health and Social Services is monitoring the situation and urging the community to practice preventative measures. Individuals experiencing symptoms should stay home and seek medical care, get tested, and self-quarantine while waiting for results. Free COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots are available, but starting in fall 2023, vaccines may come at a cost depending on health insurance plans.
Abortion is legal in Guam up to 13 weeks of pregnancy, and later in certain cases, but the last doctor who performed abortions left Guam in 2018. The closest abortion clinic on American soil is in Hawaii, an eight-hour flight away. A pending court case could soon cut off access to abortion pills, the last way for most women on Guam to get legal abortions. Guam, a speck of land in the Pacific, stands out as a pure example of what life would be like under a near-total ban.
Two weeks after Typhoon Mawar hit Guam, thousands of residents are still without water or electricity. The storm caused $112 million in damage to the island's commercial sector. However, recovery efforts are steadily ongoing, with Guam Power Authority restoring 66% of its system load and Guam Waterworks Authority restoring the majority of its wells. The government expects Guam to be up to 95% recovered in one month. Various federal agencies, including FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers, are assisting with recovery efforts. Despite the challenges, residents are taking the recovery process in stride.
Thousands of people on the island of Guam are still without power, water, and cellphone service more than a week after Typhoon Mawar, the strongest typhoon to hit the US Pacific territory in at least two decades, flooded homes, downed trees, and disrupted basic services. No deaths were reported, but the restoration of basic services to some parts of the island could take several weeks. President Biden declared a major disaster for the territory, allowing residents to apply for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Recovery efforts are ongoing, but some residents criticized the response of the island's government and utilities as slow and inadequate.