Guam - Understanding there is a massive military buildup in the horizon for Guam, I am personally inviting island residents to stand up for what they believe in and get involved in the process while we still can.

Who is having the party?  The United States federal Government, Department of Defense, Japan government and Government of Guam are having a party called the "Guam Buildup."  What must be made known is aside from the U.S. government and Japan government, the government of Guam is also a key player in the 2014 military buildup and beyond. 

What is happening?  The United States government and department of defense will make every effort to protect special interests, promote the military machine and engage our enemies hiding out around the world, but specifically in the Western Pacific Region.  The Japan Government is negotiating the relocation of 8,00 Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam.  Since the U.S. government has not lived up to its word of closing the Futenma Air Base, there's a great chance military personnel from Futenma will also be relocated to Guam.  The Government of Guam is now on the receiving end of the military relocation, being forced to upgrade roads and utilities and possibly give up land to the federal government to make the agreement between Japan and the United States successful.

When is this going to happen?  The construction has begun and there will definitely be more construction in 2010.  slowly, but surely we'll begin to see license plates from places like California, Virginia, Alabama, Texas and so on.  Beginning in 2010 and spanning through 2014 the migration of the 8,000 U.S. Marines and 72,000 military support personnel will make their way to Guam as they position themselves at the tip of the United States' spear of combat in our region.  If military personnel from the Futenma Air Base are relocated to Guam, expect those numbers to double.  At least the endangered Dugongs will be protected.  The Japan government is expected to decide on the relocation policy until the end of the year.

Where will the military buildup happen? On Guam of course.  Guam will not only be the housing site for the military personnel being relocated to Guam from Japan, but Guam will also play host to at least 3 military training areas requiring more Guam land to be used for training facilities.

How did this happen?  The Japan government, based on data they have collected decided they no longer wanted a strong U.S. Military presence because of all the crime committed by U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa.  This data and the bad track record of military personnel behavior made it easy for Japan to negotiate a solution to the social and psychological impacts Marines stationed in Okinawa had on Japan citizens.  Understanding the buildup of military forces in the Western Pacific region was necessary to continue the fight against terror and protect national interests, the U.S. government and the department of defense agreed to the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. That's how it happened.

Why Guam? Federal officials have constantly stated that one major reason for Guam being selected for the buildup was the islands location in the Western Pacific Region.  the other reasoning behind Guam's selection as the site for the massive military buildup was that Guam has not determined its Political Status; therefore remains an unincorporated U.S. Territory.  Let's take a look at the latest news release from the Japan Government.  Japan Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said the Japan government would soon make a decision on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.  Hatoyama could not give any hints as to what the decision may be, but he did indicate the final decision may be different from the existing deal Japan struck with the U.S. back in 2006.  This new deal will probably spell out the relocation of more military personnel from Futenma to Guam.  if that happens, population growth will double, the need for public services like welfare, public housing, M.I.P. and Medicaid will also double.  that doesn't include the need for our government to upgrade roads and utility infrastructure.

Know that you know a bit about the who's, what's, when's, where's, how and why's of it all, I encourage everyone to get involved.  This is an open invitation to every person living on Guam, in support of the military buildup or not to help make a difference for the future generations of Chamorro's to come.  it's not too late, so start making those phone calls, reading those news articles and take charge of the opportunity to sit at the table and make a difference.

The views and opinions expressed in KUAM Columns do not necessarily reflect those of Pacific Telestations, Inc. or its advertisers