Military news update

Most of the attention to Guam both locally, nationally and internationally in the past hours went to the Missile Defense Agency’s first missile intercept test.

During the Dec. 10 test, named the Flight Experiment Mission-02, the Aegis Guam System, integrated with the new AN/TPY-6 radar and Vertical Launching System, fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA, and successfully intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base.

According to Joint Task Force-Micronesia, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command conducted a capabilities exercise named Sling Stone from Dec. 4 to Dec. 10 “to enhance warfighter capabilities and rehearse defense of the homeland operations parallel to the Missile Defense Agency’s Flight Experiment Mission-02 on Guam.” The exercise involved the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

During Sling Stone MDA’s missile intercept allowed the joint force to detect, track, and simulate engagement of the threat.
Sling Stone provided an opportunity for the military and Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense to “rehearse the notification process and increase crisis-response readiness to better serve the community,” according to a release.

Meanwhile a lucrative long-term military contract has responses to a pre-solicitation due within days.

Responses are due Dec. 17 for a Pre-Solicitation for Housing Operations and Maintenance Services and Change of Occupancy Maintenance Services for Unaccompanied Housing for “various military installations in Guam.” The contract is limited to the Small Business 8(a) Development Program, with a 12-month base period, five 12-month option periods. An option to extend for up to 78 months is included.

“This contract will replace a contract for similar services awarded in 2024 to Global Pacific Design Builders not to exceed $39,162,546.37 (firm-fixed price portion) and $38,820,835.84 (indefinite quantity estimate), which included services for Family Housing and Unaccompanied Housing,” according to the post on samgov.

A site visit is tentatively scheduled for January 2025 in Guam. mbj

Guam EPA raises alarm on PFAS contamination

During a detailed presentation at the 32nd Pacific Islands Environmental Training Symposium on June 10 at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan Guam presenters raised alarm bells at the widespread presence of toxic “forever chemicals” during a presentation on Guam’s Safe Drinking Water Program.