Military visitors to Guam continue to visit the island’s admirals on common issues
The February visits kicked off early in the month with a visit by Jeannie Sommer, a program director with the Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, who met with Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, commander of Joint Task Force-Micronesia and Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, commander of Joint Region Marianas, to discuss “strategic locations” and “strengthening joint capabilities.”
The Army is expected to increase its presence in Guam.
(From left) Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, Jeannie Summer and Rear Adm. Brett Mietus photo by William J. Busby III
Maj. Gen. Reginald G.A. Neal, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Pacific, told the Journal in 2023 that the planned missile defense sites for the island will require personnel, who will come under joint oversight of the Army and Navy. He estimated about 700 soldiers, 200 support personnel, as well as their families would be stationed on the island.
As to their location, Neal said at the time, “We’re looking at barracks.” He said the intent was not to impact the community.
The 20 missile sites will require between 900 to 1,000 acres of land. Bier said, “We want to include the maximum in the final assessment.” He estimated 95% of that acreage will be on Department of Defense properties, but also said, “There may need to be a buffer zone.”
Next to visit was Major Gen. Craig W. Strong, and Col. Karin Watson on Feb. 6. Strong is the adjutant general of the Nebraska Military Department and Watson was recently named as adjutant general for the Guam National Guard.
(From left) Major Gen. Craig Strong, Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky and Col. Karin Watson on Feb. 6 U.S. Navy Photo by Rey Rabara
According to Journal files, the Guam National Guard entered a State Partnership Program with the Marshall Islands in November, as did the Nebraska National Guard.
The State Partnership Program is a joint program of the United States Department of Defense, now the Department of War, and the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The program and the concept originated in 1993 as a form of the previously established Joint Contact Team Program.
For Guam, the relationship is a progression from the inclusion of the Marshall Islands in direct relationships through the U.S. military’s Joint Task Force-Micronesia, with the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam’s partnership and dovetails with U.S. geopolitical aims in the region.
Nebraska has a small population of resident Marshallese citizens in the state in Wayne and Omaha, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey data. Expatriate Marshallese also live in Hawaii, Arkansas — drawn by work opportunities there — and Oklahoma.
According to JRM, “The leaders discussed National Guard integration, and coordination efforts supporting defense, readiness, and security on Guam and across the Indo-Pacific region.”
Lastly, on Feb. 11, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Sanford, director of Logistics Operations and commander of Joint Regional Combat Support for the Defense Logistics Agency, at Fort Belvoir, Va., visited. Sanford also met with both admirals. According to JRM, “The leaders discussed logistics integration and sustainment in support of joint military operations across Guam and the Indo-Pacific region.”
(From left) Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky and Major Gen. David Sanford. U.S. Navy photo by Rey Rabara
The Air Force and the Navy both have relationships throughout the islands of Micronesia and the Asia-Pacific region through military exercises and port visits. In the islands expansion of military presence is ongoing through construction and planned construction, and in the Asia Pacific region joint military exercises with partner nations, including India, are becoming increasingly common. mbj
The Guam Chamber of Commerce’s Guam Young Professionals committee named Michaela Pangilinan-Gogue as the 2025 Reina A. Leddy Guam Young Professional of the Year.
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero delivered the 2026 State of Island Address on Feb. 11 at the Guam Congress Building; her final address as governor of Guam.
