Joint Region Marianas hosts Okinawa governor

ASAN, Guam—Joint Region Marianas, Andersen Air Force Base, and U.S. Naval Base Guam leadership hosted Okinawa Gov. Yasuhiro Tamaki during his visit to Guam yesterday, Aug. 29. 

The Marine relocation effort has been in planning for more than 10 years, and the current program established by the Security Consultative Committee in 2012, is now in progress. 

“…It is our honor to welcome and speak with Gov. Tamaki during his time on island,” said Rear Adm. John Menoni, commander, JRM. “We remain committed to our agreement with the government of Japan to relocate Marine Corps forces to the island, and we are grateful to show the progress we’ve made in this endeavor. We are also committed to being good neighbors and partners with the people of Guam, the Legislature, and the government of Guam, and to continue our partnership to ensure Defense Program Review Initiative projects related to the Marine Corps relocation are on track.” 

After a meeting with Menoni and Brig. Gen. Gentry Boswell, JRM deputy commander and 36th Wing commander, on Andersen Air Force Base, the governor viewed Marine Corps DPRI-related projects on the base, including the site infrastructure project and the north gate entrance funded by the government of Japan, and numerous aviation-related projects.

Tamaki then traveled to the future site of the Marine Corps base along roads being improved through the Defense Access Roads program. Here he observed ongoing construction of the main cantonment, portions of which are funded by the government of Japan as part of their contribution to the relocation of Marines to Guam. The governor also visited NBG and viewed Marine Corps projects and government of Japan-funded sites, including the completed pier-side welcome center and the site of a new medical and dental clinic.  

“We are honored to host Gov. Tamaki today and to show him the progress being made in Guam in keeping with the Japan-U.S. bi-lateral agreements,” said Menoni. “Today, Mr. Tamaki saw that we continue to make steady progress on the construction of facilities for the Marines.” 

The Japan government’s contributions to date is more than $2 billon, nearly two-thirds of their commitment to that progress.  

“We believe the necessary facilities will be completed on time to allow the movement of Marines to begin in accordance with the U.S.-Japan agreement,” said Menoni. “We are grateful that Gov. Tamaki and his delegation took the time to travel to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.” (PR)