Marines and sailors from Okinawa start moving into Camp Blaz
- Admin
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Marines and sailors who formed the vanguard from Okinawa began moving into their new home on Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz following the opening of the first new enlisted barracks last week.
They were previously housed on Andersen Air Force Base and those living aboard Naval Base Guam will transition into the new facilities, Camp Blaz announced.
“This marks the beginning of life on Camp Blaz’s main cantonment,” said Col. Ernest Govea, commanding officer, MCBCB. “Marines and sailors are going to finally be able to live on the base and have an improved quality of life and readiness.”
The service members transferring to Camp Blaz were among the first group that arrived on Guam from Okinawa as part of the troop realignment plan under a security treaty between the United States and Japan.
The relocation strategy is based on a 2012 revision to the 2006 Roadmap for Realignment, which will entail the transfer of 5,000 Marines and 1,300 dependents to Guam.
Approximately 100 logistics support Marines arrived in December, but it was not clear if more troops have arrived since the launch of the first phase.
“Marines will relocate on a conditions-based, phased approach to ensure maintenance of operational capability and posture to respond to crisis throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” Capt. Brenda Leenders, spokesperson for Marine Corps Headquarters, said in an email to the Pacific Island Times.
She said the troops’ arrival will not be publicly announced “to protect operational security.”
“The U.S. government and the government of Japan will continue to closely work together throughout the relocation of forces in accordance with relevant 2+2 statements,” Leenders said.
“The Marine Corps continues to explore options for future force posture in the Indo-Pacific region that is geographically distributed, operationally resilient, politically sustainable, and remains capable of supporting our allies, partners and the Joint Force," she added.
Camp Blaz hosted a ribbon-cutting for the soft opening of the first enlisted barracks on May 16, marking the project's completion.
The 300-room barracks and common area were designed to enhance on-base living for the marines and sailors. The common area includes recreational activities, study areas, a kitchen, and laundry facilities.
The facility is the first of several key infrastructures on the main cantonment aimed at fully operationalizing the base. In addition to moving onto the base, Camp Blaz and Naval Base security forces activated the Blaz main gate.
“It is foundational, you can’t build a base without people living on it and working on it,” said Govea. “It’s only going to improve our operational capabilities by having marines and sailors who are happy to be with Camp Blaz and ready to get after it every day.”
Construction on Camp Blaz is overseen by the Officer in Charge of Construction Marine Corps Marianas. The OICC is a specialized Navy command led by U.S. Navy Capt. Blake Burket, who also attended the soft opening on Friday. “This ribbon cutting is a big deal for our team," said Burket.
Seven other bachelor enlisted quarters are currently under construction.
Camp Blaz said the barracks will be capable of housing just under 4,800 junior marines and sailors.
Two bachelor officers' quarters will house 388 Marine Corps senior enlisted leaders and officers.
Completion dates for the living quarters are phased over the next one to three years.
"Our construction managers, contracting officers, and engineering technicians work for years on these projects. Starting from a blank field to delivering a final building is very rewarding. It’s something they can hang their hat on, both as residents of Guam making history in their own backyard, and as professionals, contributing to this milestone moment," Burkett said.