Military installations across Guam have increased their level of security following U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran under Operation Epic Fury.
Joint Region Marianas announced March 1 on its social media that it along with all installations across the island have raised its Force Protection Condition level from Alpha to Bravo as a precautionary measure.
“This adjustment is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our personnel, families, and mission capabilities,” it wrote.
Joint Region Marianas raised its Force Protection Condition from Alpha to Bravo on March 1 for its installations across Guam. Photo by Skyler Obispo
JRM said there is no specific threat to the region at this time, but the change does reflect an increased level of vigilance across the entire Department of War.
Base personnel and visitors can expect increased Random Antiterrorism Measures and JRM encourages those in the bases to remain alert and report suspicious activity.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary,” JRM wrote. “For now normal operations will continue with appropriate modifications to access procedures and base activities required by FPCON Bravo guidelines.”
The Defense Logistics Agency, the DOW’s logistics combat support agency, states that FPCON Bravo applies “when an increased or more predictable threat of terrorism attack or hostile act exists and is directed against [DOW] elements and personnel.”
U.S. Central Command issued a statement March 1, 9:30 a.m. EST and announced three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five others are seriously wounded as a part of Operation Epic Fury.
Additionally USCENTCOM wrote several other service members have sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of being returned to service.
In related news, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued two reports on DOW reporting on natural disaster tracking and sustainment for military installations.
GAO wrote in a report dated Feb. 23 but issued March 1 ChsT, natural disasters have caused billions in damages across installations over the past decade and DOW’s data collection does not include all natural disasters like earthquakes, which makes it difficult to trace recovery costs and effects of extreme weather.
“[DOW’s] data collection is limited to the effects of extreme weather,” GAO wrote. “Also, data [DOW] collects on the cost of extreme weather at installations may be inaccurate or incomplete in some cases, in part due to the timing of when installations are expected to report the information.”
In a GAO report dated Feb. 26 also released March 1, the office found that nearly all joint bases received less funding than needed to sustain their activities, the DOW cannot distinguish how funding is distributed amongst its military units and joint bases, and the DOW has not addressed workforce shortages among the joint bases’ personnel.
“[DOW] has issued numerous guidance documents for joint base facility management, but senior joint base officials expressed confusion about how responsibilities for funding joint base facilities are allocated between the military services,” GAO wrote. mbj
The Office of the Governor released photos of the meeting on Feb. 26 CHamoru Standard Time with four representatives of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. U.S. Department of the Interior were also in attendance, as BOEM is part of DOI.
A new initiative for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not only direct USACE to continue its involvement in the islands but could ensure that several military construction projects in Micronesia move speedily forward.
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Trustees has authorized hospital management to implement “a reduction in force” as part of efforts to address ongoing fiscal challenges, according to a document obtained by the Journal.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced Feb. 24 CHamoru Standard Time “proposed revisions to its regulations” which it said are “to support critical mineral exploration and development essential for national security and economic prosperity.”
