Overview
- Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, who also serves as the Senior Defense Official for Guam and the Northern Marianas, met local and military leaders on a first official visit this week.
- Governor Lou Leon Guerrero described their talks as productive but said no commitments were made on priorities such as a new hospital, cybersecurity, utilities, roads, and broader infrastructure.
- Discussions focused on quality-of-life issues and military construction to support a projected increase of about 10,000 service members, Defense civilians, and families over the next decade.
- Cao toured Naval Base Guam, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, and Andersen Air Force Base, met junior personnel, and said he will report back to the Secretary on infrastructure and readiness needs.
- Asked about the planned relocation of Marines from Okinawa, Cao said plans are continuously reviewed while reaffirming the department’s commitment to Guam’s defense as the federal shutdown pressures military pay and budgets.