"This effort is a big step in strengthening Guam" Lt. Gen. David Berger said in a statement, "as part of the Marianas strategic hub," referring to the operational merger of Naval Base Guam and Anderson Air Force Base on Guam.
Further, the new $164.9 million worth of new construction will go a long way in "ensuring the Marine Corps’ ability to sustain a forward presence within the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," Berger noted.
Tokyo will finance the new construction as part of a previously determined agreement with Washington, Military.com reports.
"Guam has always been a central part of our plans. Certainly a central part of the Navy’s plans but now a central part of the entire Department of Defense’s plans," then-Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said in 2014.
On August 14, North Korea’s KCNA reported the Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un was considering launching missiles at Guam. Kim decided to hold off on the strike, which US President Donald Trump called "a very wise and well reasoned decision."
