DeVore, Huffman take experiences and memories to new commands

BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA
Journal Staff

On May 13 — just days before each of them transfer their commands — Rear Adm. Gregory C. Huffman and Rear Adm. M. Brent DeVore spoke with the Journal of their time in Guam and the islands.

Huffman took command of Joint Region Marianas on June 21, 2023. He was promoted to a two-star admiral on April 4 — the first two-star admiral for region the island had seen in more than a decade. On June 14, 2024, Task Force-Micronesia was officially established, with Huffman as commander.

The Joint Task Force-Micronesia area of responsibility includes Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, to include Wake Island.

Rear Adm. M. Brent DeVore became commander of Joint Region Marianas on June 6, 2024.

On being in the region during the military buildup, DeVore said, “You can’t take away the key thing that matters in any real estate anywhere — location, location, location. ... These islands are in a very key geography spot really for command of the Pacific.” He said the Mariana Islands as the farthest West are “the front of America. … It’s an opportunity for us to be present and alongside.”

Huffman said, “The changes that are planned in terms of establishing an infrastructure — that will lead to a very strong deterrent effect — are being developed very robustly by INDOPACOM and the Department of Defense and so a number of projects are planned across the region — here in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, but in the FSM in Yap State there are projects planned; down in Palau there are a number of projects in execution now. And then in the Marshall Islands we do have an existing Army garrison there in Kwajalein that does very important work. When you look at the totality of the posture in the region, I think it’s a commitment and a recognition by INDOPACOM in assuring the security and stability of the region to get that infrastructure set the right way,” he said.

“There is mutual benefit as we look at these locations and develop runways and port facilities. We certainly benefit from the opportunity and ability to operate there, but then the people of those islands will reap economic benefit as well, in terms of a runway that now perhaps could handle larger aircraft. … Those are things we are looking to partner with and ensure that as we develop these projects there is a strong tie between the communities and the Department of Defense so there’s good mutual benefits,” Huffmann said.

While those mutual benefits were and are clearly defined, it is not unusual for visits from military VIPs and leaders and any meetings to give islands leaders the opportunity to discuss further partnering for economic benefit — and often to then discuss those aims with media or release statements about them.

The renewed Compacts of Free Association with Palau, the FSM and the Marshall Islands were ratified by Congress in 2024.

Huffman said, “Under Title 3 we’ve got obligations from the Department of Defense side to provide that security for those nations; we take that very seriously. Then as we work with the leadership of the different states — whether it’s the governors or the presidents — we detail what we are looking for from the Department of Defense — what our requirements are — and  then where are there mutual benefits that could be realized as we’re achieving our requirements, and ensuring that we respect the people, that we are being good partners in what we are doing — at a number of different levels — and having point people,” Huffman said. “As we bring more capabilities there, there’s likely more opportunities for work.” Military exercises also bring economic benefits, he said.

“In terms of direct ‘asks’ from leadership, we work through those,” Huffman said. “There are limitations to what the Department of Defense can do. Within the constraints of the law and what our requirements are, we seek to maximize that partnership and achieve some of the things that they’re looking for — and highlight the benefits that we mutually bring.”

DeVore said, “With all the projects that are going on throughout the entire region, you’ve certainly heard the word ‘deterrence’ used. … “We’re really building out the ultimate ‘neighborhood watch’ program, so to speak. …We’re building mutually beneficial partnerships everywhere with one sole purpose, that war never comes back to this region again. It’s that ‘neighborhood watch’ feel of working together, demonstrating our strengths so that it never rises to that.” We continue to let diplomats and leaders be diplomats and leaders and not risk conflict, he said. “That’s certainly not anything we seek back here in this area, ever again.”

Huffman will be succeeded by Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky on May 15 and will then take command of the Navy Education and Training Command at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. DeVore will be succeeded by Rear Adm. Brett Mietus on May 29 and will take command of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 in San Diego, Calif.

Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Palenske, commander of the 36th Wing, at Andersen Air Force Base, will be succeed by Col. Charles Cooley on May 22.

While three changes of command at the same time are rare, Huffman said Guam has already seen a special situation.

“One unique aspect of this particular circumstance here is the addition of the Joint Task Force. Previously we didn’t even have three senior level staff here on the island. That’s brought about a bit of a change,” he said.

The three changes of command are coincidental timing, he said. “There was no plan in place that drove it that way.” Aside from the effects of the need to fill positions, Huffman said, the situation is “a career progression development. … I was a little unique coming out here from a Strike command, Brent is going to a Strike command, so he’s going to take his operational experience in this region and be able to translate that back ... ,” he said.

“To use the words Admiral Huffman said, there’s a career progression up to a certain point of seniority,” DeVore said. This has allowed me not only to follow that career progression — we grow up in certain specialties, so this is generally my last touch ever going back to my career specialty — back with the ships one last time. From [career specialties] we take officers and continue to add breadth and depth so the roles that they will fill next. In Admiral Huffman’s situation he’s going to a very large organization that touches the entire Navy … .”

According to Joint Region Marianas, it is home to about 22,900 military and their families, and DoD civilian personnel.

“Come the day after each ceremony, the parking lots at Andersen Air Force Base, here (at Joint Region Marianas headquarters), on Naval Base — 99.9% of them are all the same people that continue to serve — the staffs — and actually keep the hard work going. In our world, we get the blessings — the person who actually gets to be the leader of that organization,” DeVore said. “The continuity — the civilian community as well — there’s always natural turnovers, no matter what industry you’re in. It’s part of the flow, and part of growth.”

“I’m very excited for the opportunity,” Huffman said. “I’ve absolutely loved the time we’ve had out here. … This next opportunity — just the scope and breadth of the responsibilities is a lot, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to chances to improve how we’re doing things.” Building and combining his experiences, he said, would now give him the opportunity to “look at a lot of different aspects of the Navy and look at how we can improve what’s going on across the board to make us more lethal, because they’re warfighters — to improve that stance that we’ve got.” 

As to the Navy in Guam, DeVore said, “There were some roles [where] there wasn’t the need for more senior representatives, so it allowed a natural outgrowth — that’s the Joint Task Force. It’s a natural outgrowth of what the community here would know as Joint Region Marianas.” He had benefited from having Huffman’s experience in the position, he said. “It enabled a really close partnership. It was another resource to capture the history and what was the background on a given issue. “

Joint Task Force-Micronesia began with 15 staff but by June 2024 had grown to about 25 people and was headed for further growth, according to Journal files. Its stated responsibilities are to plan and oversee the U.S. forces that will operate in the region, and also command and control and direct forces to ensure the defense of Guam, should the need arise.

“I was in that very unique position of having a start-up; that’s really what it was,” Huffman said. … “What I would do is challenge the folks that came to work for me. … I asked them to bring their experiences — whether they were good or bad — from previous commands, from previous tours and bring them to the table. We had the opportunity to build the foundation of an organization, and doing what we know is right. … The unique part of it was, as a Joint Task Force, I had service members from all branches represented. The ability to bring in those different perspectives, different experiences, different processes and procedures, made it much, much stronger.”

The Joint Task Force has a solid base and foundation, he said. “Now Admiral Lasky will be able to take it to the next level. He’ll be able to build on that and continue to expand the capability and capacity of the staff.”

Huffman said of his time in Guam, “I had heard a few things before I came out, but I will tell you in 35-plus years of this business, this has probably been one of the best tours I’ve ever had — on a number of levels. Guam itself … the beaches in Guam are much nicer than the beaches in Hawaii — it’s just such a beautiful island.”

The island wasn’t looking its best when he arrived. “Mawar had just rolled through, and the jungle was devastated. It was just brown; I was amazed,” he said, referring to the devastation in May 2023. Huffman had visited the island many times before about 20 years ago, he said, and could compare it with the lushness he had previously seen.  “To see it come back — that exemplifies to me the resilience of this area — how everything rebounded, and life goes on.”

In some respects, Huffman said his prior post to Guam had prepared him for the way the island’s social life folded him in. He served as commander of Carrier Strike Group 12 — the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group — from June 2021 until May 2023. “I had done my previous tour as a strike commander, and so I had a little bit of a taste of that. I was in a place where I was a little bit in the spotlight — you’re attending events, you’re going to give speeches … albeit I was in Norfolk, Virginia where there were a number of flag officers, so I was one of many.

Huffman led the Gerald R. Ford group on its first deployment. “When you think about the interactions with the media … the interest in what we’re doing with a brand-new aircraft carrier, that was exciting; that was interesting. I got a little bit of exposure for that.”

During a visit to England in 2022, media at the time ran headlines such as, “World’s biggest warship visits Portsmouth.” Huffman said he met with the lord mayor of Portsmouth and was invited to a behind the scenes tour with the commanding officer of HMS Victory — a wooden sailing ship that is described as the world's oldest naval vessel. 

In Guam, the admiral said, the focus was solely on him.

“Coming here, where you are one of one … was certainly different. But the people here are so welcoming; the community is so supportive of everything we do. They bring you in right away. We felt we were part of a family almost immediately.”

An admiral in Guam inevitably encounters all parts of the community, Huffman said. “The role is much more extensive and expansive than just about anything else that you do in the military.” … You interact with so many groups on so many different levels. [Meeting] the JROTC students at Father Duenas — that was fantastic,” he said.

“But then getting to go to the Red Ball with the Red Cross — and I will say 100% a lot of it is my wife, Judy, and her desire and willingness to step out … .” Judy Huffman served on the board of the Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross. “The Father Duenas connection came through a [Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation] paddling team that she joined. … She had a blast with that; that just opened up so many doors and built out the community relationships at all these different levels,” Huffman said.

DeVore took the opportunity to attend Naval Facilities Engineering and Systems Command Marianas Industry Days in Saipan and Tinian in September last year. “It’s a fascinating community. It’s a small community, yet there are entrepreneurs everywhere. They’re seeking opportunities in industry and economic opportunities for their own community,” he said. “They’re industrious and excited and looking for opportunities for partnership … .”

The Department of Defense is looking to do a lot of defense-related construction in Guam and the region, he recognized. “Likewise, as we do that — there’s culture and identity that we want to and must preserve and honor, because it is a history that is still very recent.”

Besides interacting with the business community, NMI leadership and the island’s representatives, DeVore also had time to see Tinian, to include historical sites such as the island’s giant Latte stones. He said those typified Tinian’s “irreplaceable ancient history …  ravaged by war yet in some ways tremendously natural … and very valuable to the community and culture here throughout the Marianas.”

DeVore said, “I certainly regret the short time that I had here. I’ve still got a lot of unfinished business, I feel. We (DeVore and his wife, Amy) finally finished our diving qualifications — one month before we go. I never made it to the top of (Mount) Lam Lam. By the time you get to know the leaders in the community and start to appreciate what are the issues that they’re working through and where do we partner — there’s a lot of things I haven’t got to,” he said.

“We kind of abandon our flexibility; we go where the Navy sends us. If there’s an opportunity that they should send my family and I back here for another tour because we have made it a more senior position, we relish the opportunity to come back and be part of this community. It’s been a humbling experience — the interaction; you don’t find that in many places.” mbj