Guam is of importance in training military personnel in more ways than one, sharing expertise in a variety of ways.
In an April 9 joint statement (CHamoru Standard Time), U.S. Secretary of State for Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, and UK Secretary of Defense Grant Shapps confirmed the presence in Guam of Royal Australian Navy sailors.
As the Journal reported in December, the training is ahead of the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force-West in Australia “as early as 2027” and will offer the Australians hands-on training on nuclear powered submarines on-island.
According to the statement, 37 Royal Australian Navy sailors “reported to the USS Emory S. Land in Guam in late January 2024, to begin training and to gain the necessary skills and qualifications.”
The sailors are not alone.
“Australian industry personnel will also be involved in supporting this activity to continue to grow the submarine sustainment workforce and supply chain. U.K. Royal Navy officers will observe the activity to enable integration of U.K. maintenance requirements for future U.K. SSN [nuclear-powered submarine] port visits and future U.K. rotational presence as part of SRF-West,” the statement said.
The Emory Land has a hybrid crew of about 450 U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command personnel, and has been homeported in Guam since December 2015, according to Journal files. The USS Frank Cable submarine tender is also homeported in Guam.
Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are making significant progress in “trilateral submarine cooperation,” and their respective submarine industrial bases, the statement said.
Australia's selected ASC Pty. Ltd. (formerly the Australian Submarine Corp. and an Australian government enterprise) and BAE Systems (a British defense, security, and aerospace company) to build its nuclear-powered submarines, and selected ASC as “Australia's nuclear-powered submarine sustainment partner.”
In March, 20 Australian industry personnel also completed a three-month placement at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
The three nations align under the acronym AUKUS.
According to Journal files, the Republic of Singapore Air Force began deploying airmen and aircraft to Andersen Air Force Base in May 2021. Andersen is also set to receive half of Singapore’s F-15 fleet, or about 12 planes, with accompanying infrastructure to be built and the detachment formally established by 2029. mbj
Training of non-US personnel in Guam continues apace
Training of non-US personnel in Guam continues apace
- Date Posted: Apr 10, 2024
- News: Guam
-
Share this News
Training of non-US personnel in Guam continues apace
Recommended Articles...
Stormwater and erosion control ‘inadequate’ at Palisades construction site according to DPW
The Department of Public Works has issued a notice of violation to the developers of the Palisades subdivision, citing “inadequate control of storm water and erosion control features during construction,” which it says led to the Oct. 15 landslide in East Hagåtña.
Read More 
Bank of Guam offers payment assistance to federal and NMI workers
Bank of Guam announced on Oct. 21 that payment assistance options are available to borrowers impacted by the federal government shutdown and a possible budget cut for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Read More 
GEPA investigates environmental impact of Oct. 15 landslide
The Guam Environmental Protection Agency said on Oct. 17 that it will be launching an investigation into any potential ramifications that may have been caused by the landslide that occurred on East Agana on Oct.15.
Read More 
Guam WIC program temporarily limits food brands amid federal shutdown
The Department of Public Health and Social Services announced a temporary change to the brands of food items eligible under the Guam Women, Infants, and Children Program benefits, effective Oct. 16.