Poachers apprehended on Andersen
Members of the 36th Security Forces Squadron apprehended and detained eight people on June 8 who were allegedly poaching illegally at Sirena Beach. Senior Airman Craig Stott reported spotlighting while performing a random beach check. Soon after other security forces members responded and challenged the individuals. The security forces members confiscated seven spear guns two machetes and more than 100 pounds of aquatic animals.
The individuals were handed over to the Guam Police Department and are being handled by local authorities.
13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron arrives on Guam
The 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron arrived on Guam to replace the 393rd EBS which returned to Whitman Air Force Base Mo. on July 1. The majority of 13th EBS’ airmen arrived on Guam on June 29 through 30. The squadron was deployed to Andersen Air Force Base to provide the U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the region and help maintain stability and provide security for the Asia-Pacific region.
Navy
Live fire at Farallon De Mendenilla
From July 10 through 13 Naval Forces Marianas conducted aerial survey aerial maneuvers live fire and over-flight exercises on the island of Farallon De Mendenilla according to releases from the Emergency Management Office Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s office and the Navy.
Navy water woes affect civilians in Santa Rita and Agat
On July 8 the Navy suspended water service to the Guam Waterworks Authority due to production problems at the Fena water treatment plant. Source water quality levels did not meet Guam and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards and caused several plant shutdowns and reduced production capacity requiring a reduction in supply to GWA. The areas affected by the suspended service included Santa Rita Agat and Sinifa.
On June 12 the Navy restored 1 300 gallons per minute of water flow to GWA. Of that 800 gallons per minute was distributed to Agat and Santa Rita with the remaining 500 gallons per minute going to various other GWA meters.
The Navy first implemented water conservation measures in April and said it will continue conservation until full water production levels are restored.
According to a July 11 release "The Navy recognizes the impact that these reduced levels of supply have on GWA and its customers. The GWA demand for water has increased significantly over the last five years. The increased demand coupled with the EPA standard changes over this same period have taxed the water plants ability to meet the current supply demands. While unable to comment on GWA’s developing Master Plan the Navy will continue to supply the water it can and continue efforts to coordinate with GWA until the Master Plan for water supply and storage to the villages is online."
On July 18 the Navy increased the water supply to GWA by another 200 gallons. That brought the total volume supplied to GWA by 1 400 gallons per minute.
Submarine squadron holds change of command ceremony
Submarine Squadron 15 held a change of command ceremony on July 7 at Polaris Point Wharf Alpha. During the ceremony Capt. Philip Sawyer relieved Capt. Bradley R. Gehrke as commander of Submarine Squadron 15.
Capt. Gehrke assumed command of the squadron in August 2004. He will next assume duties as chief of staff of Submarine Group Seven.
The mission of Submarine Squadron 15 is to prepare assigned units for forward-deployed operations in the Western Pacific and maintain the highest level of readiness at all times to permit surge operations when called upon to support emergent theater commander tasking.
Fourth of July activities held at Polaris Point
U.S. Naval Forces Marianas and the Navy Morale Welfare and Recreation hosted the 10th annual Independence Day celebration at Polaris point. The festivities included a performances by Starship and a 15-minute fireworks display. The event was open to the public. The event also featured performance by the Stargazers Dance Troupe Rumblefish and Metal Daze.
This was part of a Navy Entertainment and Armed Forces Entertainment tour through Guam Japan Okinawa Korea and Hawaii. During the exhibition the Globetrotters played against the Nationals basketball team.
Globetrotters paly exhibition game
The Harlem Globetrotters also held a performance on July 1 at the Charles King Gym on Naval base Guam. U.S. Naval Forces Marianas and the Navy Morale Welfare and Recreation hosted the exhibition.
The Globetrotters have played in 117 countries before more than 121 million fans during their 79-year history.
Change of command ceremony held for USS City of Corpus Christi
A change of command ceremony was held June 30 at Polaris Point Wharf Alpha for the USS City of Corpus Christi. During the ceremony Cmdr. Scott A. Minium relieved Cmdr. Marc W. Denno as commander of the Navy vessel.
Cmdr. Denno assumed command of the Corpus Christi in February 2004. He will be assuming duties as Chief Staff Officer for Submarine Development Squadron 12 in Groton Conn.
Cmdr. Minium previously served on the staff of the Commander of the Submarine Force for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The USS Corpus Christi assigned to Submarine Squadron 15 on Guam is one of two permanently forward-deployed attack submarines in the Western Pacific.
Yeoman receives Bronze Star
On June 28 Yeoman First Class Matthew S. Bryan was awarded a bronze star for his role in Operation Iraqi Freedom at the Naval Base Guam chapel. Bryan is a member of Submarine Squadron 15.
The Bronze Star medal is awarded to people who have distinguished themselves through heroic meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy or opposing armed force.
Department of Defense
DOD officials participate in the first work session of the Civilian/Military Task Force
Two officials from the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment participated in the first work session of the Civilian/Military Task Force held July 11 at Pacific Islands Club Guam. The two officials who attended the session were Gary D. Kuwabara project manager for the U.S. DOD Office of Economic Adjustment; and Anthony R. Gallegos western regional office director for the U.S. DOD Office of Economic Adjustment.
At the session Kuwabara addressed the impact of the ongoing influx of military personnel. The two will be assisting the task force in planning for Guam’s needs during the Marines relocation and identifying funding sources and other sources of support to prepare the island for growth.
Also discussed at the session was the planning of a grant proposal to the Office of Economic Adjustment that would fund comprehensive studies that are important to the development of a master plan that addresses Guam’s needs beyond the Marines relocation.
Civilian Study Group
Guam delegation returns from Okinawa
On July 15 a delegation led by Lt. Gov. Kaleo S. Moylan consisting of five senators and three mayors returned from a five-day fact-finding mission. The mission was at the invitation of Japanese National Dietman Mikio Shimoji and Prefectural Assemblyman Hiroshi Goya both of Okinawa.
The group returned with a picture of the potential impact to Guam and new information on the status and timing of the U.S.-Japan military re-alignment plans and with a promise of support for the needs of the civilian population from the members of the Japanese Diet according to Moylan’s office..
According to a release from Moylan’s office "The delegation witnessed first-hand the level of support and coordination the Okinawan community has received from the Japan Central Government for being the host community to the U.S. military. They also visited many facilities that were constructed by the central government and owned and operated by smaller communities throughout Okinawa specifically to benefit their citizens. Many of these facilities are part of comprehensive economic diversification and incentive programs implemented as a result of either military realignment or social impacts to the host communities." MBJ
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