More Guam news has broken in the wake of the promotion of Rear Adm. Gregory C. Huffman and his subsequent appointment as commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command - still in Guam, according to a release from DoD on March 2.
The U.S. Department of Defense has designated an official to oversee the acquisition of technology needed to develop and field a 360-degree, air-and-missile defense capability for Guam.
Three-star U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch Jr. will be the executive officer in charge of the newly created Joint Program Office in support of the Guam Missile Defense System.
This news was first reported by Inside Defense.
According to Journal files, Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven is the Department of Defense's lead senior DoD official for Guam.
Raven’s responsibilities include serving as the DoD senior representative when meeting with key leaders in Guam and bringing senior military leaders together to “align efforts to meet operational requirements consistent with the National Defense Strategy, according to a Feb. 6 release on his appointment.”
Raven and William LaPlante, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment; will co-chair the Guam Synchronization and Oversight Council. Functions of the council will include “prioritization of key issues related to the missions and associated requirements for Guam, to include military construction.”
The Missile Defense Agency has allocated a budget of $801 million for fiscal 2024.
In related news, Task Force Talon conducted an evaluation March 11 to March 15 for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system stationed in Guam.
“The evaluation showcased the unit's proficiency in missile defense operations and underscored its critical role in bolstering regional security in the Pacific,” according to the Army. mbj
