Planned deployment of offensive missiles to Guam raises concerns

By Telo Taitague

For too long, Guam has been described as the tip of the spear. That phrase may explain our strategic importance, but it does not capture the reality of the families who live here and carry the consequences of decisions made far from our shores.

That is why the recent Washington Times article reporting that the Pentagon is planning to deploy offensive missiles to Guam cannot be treated as just another national defense story.

The article described Guam as a current military hub where an extensive integrated air and missile defense system is under construction, and where that system may provide the basis for a future offensive capability.

For Guam, these are not abstract defense issues. They raise real questions about land, water, infrastructure, healthcare, utilities, public safety, emergency preparedness and the future families are trying to build.

At a recent military informational briefing, one concern was clear: major changes to Guam’s military buildup must be communicated through official government channels, not discovered after the fact in a news article. The people of Guam deserve to hear about potential changes to our island’s military posture from the officials responsible for those decisions, not after reading about them in the news.

Guam can respect the military’s mission and still ask hard questions about how that mission affects families, neighborhoods, and limited island resources. The issue is balance.

Guam’s role in national defense must be matched with a serious commitment to the families who live here and the challenges residents already face because of the ongoing buildup.

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Unfortunately, the impact of this buildup falls squarely on our people’s shoulders without adequate mitigation or support from the military. Residents are dealing with housing shortages, traffic congestion, healthcare strain, land-use conflicts, environmental concerns, utility challenges, emergency preparedness needs and public safety demands and as the military buildup proceeds, these challenges compound.

Any major expansion or change in the military buildup must be measured against these realities.

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The Guam legislature cannot be left outside the room where these issues are being discussed. If the Civil-Military Coordination Council is addressing the Guam defense system, civilian infrastructure, utilities resiliency and military construction, then senators must be included in this council. The legislature has a responsibility to ask questions, propose policy, and protect the public interest.

That is why I will be writing to the governor to request the Guam legislature’s inclusion in the Civil-Military Coordination Council.

I will also call a follow-up military informational briefing and invite our congressional delegate to share any new information from Washington regarding Guam’s military buildup and to further elaborate on the issues brought to light by the Washington Times report and the public during the recent Military informational briefing.

Decisions made in Washington may begin on paper, but their consequences are felt in real neighborhoods, by real families, and across the island we call home.

Sen. Telo T. Taitague, a member of the 38th Guam Legislature, is the chair of Committee on Economic Investment, Military Buildup, Regional Relations, Technology,  Regulatory Affairs, Justice, Elections and Retirement

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