In accordance with the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) Joint Statement of July 28, 2024, a small advance party of approximately 100 logistics support personnel from the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) has begun relocating from Okinawa to Guam. The relocation will be a phased move, and the unit’s headquarters will not be relocated with this move.
The commencement of the relocation to Guam marks the first phase of the relocation of Marines outside of Japan. The two governments will continue to work together to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance while mitigating impacts on local communities, including Okinawa.
Forward presence and routine engagement with allies and partners are essential to the United States’ ability to deter attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion, and to respond to regional crises, including providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when needed. The Marine Corps is committed to meeting the operational requirements to defend Japan and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Finally, the Marine Corps maintains a forward presence in the Indo-Pacific through stations and rotational deployments in Japan, Guam, and Hawaii.
The Guam Relocation Project is being funded by the Government of Japan at up to $2.8 billion in U.S. fiscal year 2008 dollars. This funding primarily supports facilities development at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base. The U.S. Government will fund all remaining costs, and the two governments will continue to work together to develop Camp Blaz as the primary base for Marines stationed on Guam.
The joint training between the Marine Corps and the Self-Defense Forces in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will strengthen the alliance’s deterrence and response capabilities. Training sites will include those developed with Japanese funding. The two governments will continue to discuss the possibility of further joint training opportunities.
The U.S. and Japanese governments will continue to work together to prioritize alliance capabilities, optimize alliance force posture to address growing security challenges in the region, mitigate the impact on Okinawa, and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.