Guam - In light of sequestration's budget constraints, the realignment of Marines to Guam remains on track - that's the message provided during a House Armed Services Committee hearing today that not only reaffirmed the Defense Department's commitment to the Asia Pacific Region but offered greater certainty for the buildup on Guam.

While it may take months to see the full effects of sequestration, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo,  during a hearing this morning in the nation's capitol, raised concern over how exactly the defense spending cuts would affect the timing in movement of Marines to Guam. "Can you address some of your challenges regarding the distributed lay down of Marines in the Pacific how the current budget outlook may affect the timing of this plan?" she asked.

U.S. Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Locklear stressed that sequestration and a continuing resolution may undermine strategic rebalance initiatives, exasperate existing resource challenges and result in increased risk. But in light of this, he reaffirmed the Defense Department's commitment and the Obama Administration's support to the rebalance of the forces to the Asia Pacific Region. He said, "I think we have a good plan, it certainly makes sense in the context of where we want the marines laid down for the 21st Century in the area. Guam is a centerpiece of that; I mean, if Hawaii is kind of the front door to the Asia Pacific, Guam is well into the heart of the living room. All it takes is a quick look of the vastness of the region and a map and you can see why we would want to optimize our capabilities both in peace and in crisis from Guam."

And based on current planning estimates, he stated the anticipated movement of Marines to Guam could be by 2020 and to Hawaii by 2026. Its positive news here at home as the Governor's Buildup Office director Mark Calvo says since the new adjustment of lay down was announced last year, a timeline was never given except for completion of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and the Record of Decision in 2015.

Calvo said, "What we understand in reading his comments in context is with a 2015 Record of Decision that potentially he's focused on a five-year completion of facilities to accommodate the 5,000 Marines and the 1,300 dependents and close out that part of the buildup."

And in addition to challenging Congress to take a focused approach in order to identify resources specifically for military construction funding to accelerate the estimated timeline - Calvo says statements by Locklear, whom he calls a senior war fighter in the Pacific, will hold better weight. "From that context and perspective, his voice we're sure will be heard and ring loud in DC," he said, "as he's responsible to the nation and the president for safety and security of the defense department in this area."

And while the 2020 target date is optimistic, Calvo says with the strict budget times and the fiscal belt tightening things could always change. Bordallo meanwhile in a statement says while the DOD works to deal with an even tighter budget, she appreciates Admiral Locklear's work to strengthen alliances and build new partnerships with countries in the Asia-Pacific such as multilateral training and joint exercises as the buildup moves forward.

She further adds that while 2020 is a rough estimate, it provides greater certainty in the future of the buildup.