So the US forces on Okinawa are to be reduced by 8,000 Marines and about 3,600 other military troops and their dependents from Okinawa and mainland Japan to Guam over the next five years. With new facilities been built on Guam at a estimated cost of $15 Billion The Representative for Virginia Rep. J. R Forbes, an Armed Services Committee member, said during debate on the bill, "This provision will lead to inflated wages in Guam, while taking American jobs from construction projects in Texas, Maryland and Virginia." Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), the fourth-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. Stated "This is a huge opportunity to put Americans to work, in an American territory, building an American military base. My amendments provide clear guidelines to manage the buildup while ensuring quality work for our service members and their families," he added (He wants the construction work to go to Americans (As It should) and not forign workers) What are your views on this? Oh and before any one decided to start screaming that Obama is emasculating the Armed forces etc The realignment, first agreed to in 2006 by the Bush administration and Japanese government
I know everyone is big into "support the troops" no matter what. But I have friends who have served in Japan (AF) and the US military have behaved like animals over there (according to all first hand reports I have heard). My guess is that the Japanese are pretty happy to see us leave.
I cannot comment without bias, I have a daughter in the Military. I do think it is about time we left Japan tho, lol. What has it been, about 1/2 a century or more? With N Korea showing off these days, I think I need to read more before making judgement on any US/asain military manuevers.
Guam Not the best place on the planet to live. Over run by brown tree vipers who are very agressive. They have wiped out most of the bird population and many small other small warm blooded animals. After the taking of Guam my Uncle brought his wife to stay in dependent quarters after the war was completed.She complained bitterly but he was a Chief FMF Corpsman doing his " Twenty" . After fighting to take the island for 3+ months he ended up being stationed there. He was from Utah and a rather reserved type of outdoor guy. He said it was terrible during the war and putting together medical facilities was an immense job. It is probably time the nations of Europe and Asia have their own budgets to secure their sovereign nations. With many in a Socialistic environment it is unclear if they can take care of their own defense.They do not want us on their soil but would like us blankey close. Pep
11,600 troops? 15 billion? That figures out to 1.3 million dollars per man. What are they building!? I think the tree vipers just got put on the endangered species list because it sounds like they're going to turn Guam into a parking lot! This sounds like an expensive make work project, far away from home where somebody will steal funds off the top with ease. There's no doubt there will be "10k missing here, 100k missing there", etc. and probably shoddy work on top of it with no supervision for the sake of profit to private contractors. An Iraq repeat.
All kidding aside check out those snakes. A plane ingressing to Hawaii from Guam goes to a special inspection area. It is special fenced to allow a compete check of all areas under the plane where a viper could find refuge. No snakes on the island, and they do not want these highly agressive fellows on their rock. Guam has tried all types of removal processes from traps to poison to no avail. Some even thought about doing some free burning but that was set aside. I have been in tough jungle in Asia and found it very difficult until you learn how to get around. One whole end of Guam was solid bunkers and tunnels the Japanese had put their in advance of an American landing close to their home islands. They had some very large fixed artillery in place. The Americans and allies were both suprised when they got in range of the artillery.
Remember that the expense of moving US troops to Guam includes the PCS expense to the government. Every single military man and woman going to Guam for their permanent assignment (or anywhere overseas, for that matter, including Alaska and Hawaii) gets all their household goods moved, as well as 1 automobile. Consider that I, as a very junior officer, get 13,000 lbs. And that's just me and my family. Multiply that by several thousand, all at once. $$$ Moving thousands of troops to a new facility also includes building homes, barracks, new hospital space, and other military amenities. $$$ In other words: $$$$$$ (and a few extra $$ thrown in for friends of influential types).
