Guam simulates first-ever missile strike exercise to strengthen emergency readiness

BY PAULY SUBA
Journal Staff

The Office of Homeland Security and Civil Defense, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, launched its flagship preparedness event, the 2025 Pacific Alert Tabletop Exercise (TTX) on June 18, at the Guam Plaza Resort, Tumon, aiming to strengthen Guam’s readiness for a potential missile strike.

The scenario-driven tabletop exercise brought together stakeholders from across local, federal, military, private, and non-governmental sectors to simulate Guam’s response to a hypothetical ballistic missile attack from a hostile nation.

“Today marks a significant milestone… The Pacific Alert Table-top exercise represents our flagship event, and is a critical component for both our local and national preparedness efforts,” said Esther J.C. Aguigui, Guam Homeland Security Advisor. “This exercise, organized in partnership with FEMA’s National Exercise Division, brings together stakeholders from every level of government… all united by a common purpose, protecting the people of Guam.”

The TTX involved no outdoor activity and was held as a closed-door, facilitated discussion. Participants walked through escalating modules, beginning with a simulated missile launch alert and ending with long-term recovery challenges following three mock impacts at Andersen Air Force Base, the Port Authority of Guam, and the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport.

The exercise scenario was based on rising tensions with an unnamed adversarial nation-state possessing ballistic missile capabilities. According to the scenario, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command issued a missile warning, giving Guam approximately six minutes to respond. The simulation tested emergency alert systems, shelter-in-place directives, and interagency coordination.

Robert J. Fenton, Jr., FEMA Region 9 Administrator, said in his opening remarks, “This is very important to the governor (of Guam) and to Esther (Aguigui) and the team here, but more importantly… to all of us… to ensure that we’re ready for an event like this. When you look at what’s happening in our world today, it really underscores the need to make sure… we are prepared.”

Fenton emphasized FEMA’s mission to support communities before, during, and after disasters. “This is the before part. Each of us have different authorities and responsibilities… and our decisions in how we implement those are critical,” he said.

The five objectives of the exercise were operational coordination, public information and warning, mass search and rescue operations, logistics and supply chain management, and infrastructure systems recovery.

“This is the first type of exercise that we’ve had regarding this concept here for Guam,” Aguigui said. “It’s unique in that it’s the first time, but not unique because it’s a discussion that’s amongst our community. Of course, it’s a concern of the residents.”

Participants engaged in three timed modules: the first focused on actions in the minutes before impact; the second simulated the detonation and initial two hours post-impact; and the third addressed long-term recovery and coordination. The scenario also accounted for overwhelmed hospitals, downed communication lines, disabled runways, and an island-wide power outage.

“Preparedness is not a spectator sport,” Aguigui said. “We may not have bomb shelters, but we do have the advantage of indomitable concrete structures… and we encourage every family to maintain a communication plan.”

When asked whether the exercise would translate into real-world changes, Aguigui said, “This tabletop exercise is a crawl-walk-run concept. Before we can run, we must first learn how to walk… This comprehensive after-action report will probably be the segue for us to maybe turn it into a full-scale exercise.”

Aguigui also confirmed that a full after-action report will be compiled and released publicly within 120 days. “We owe it to the people of Guam… they need to know what we’re doing,” she said. “Some operational aspects

need to remain secure, but overall… we’ll do some revisions and some improvements in the current plan.”

The findings may also lead to infrastructure upgrades. “We’re hoping that an after-action report will likely be a justification as to why we should get an upgrade to our system,” Aguigui said, referring to the island’s 22 all-hazards alert sites.

FEMA has committed to continuing support. “We provide funding each year for Guam and all states and territories to prepare,” Fenton said. “We take lessons learned… and incorporate them into our plans, trainings, and exercises for the future.”

According to a release from GHS/OCD, TTX aims to give participants a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities prior to and following a ballistic missile attack; identify needed updates to existing plans, policies, and procedures; and familiarize participants with radiological consequences of a missile strike.

Aguigui said, “The strength of Guam lies not just in our strategic location or our concrete structures, but in our people,” Aguigui said. “Together, we will identify our gaps, strengthen our capabilities, and ensure that Guam remains prepared for whatever challenges may come our way.” mbj