BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA
Journal Staff
High ranking Navy officials spent time in Guam and the Federated States of Micronesia in the first days of May.
On May 1 and May 2, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan made his first visit to Guam since his appointment.
During the Guam visit, Phelan met with Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero and discussed “civil -military relations and ways to collaborate within the shared One Guam vision.”
According to Joint Task Force-Micronesia Phelan “toured installations … and discussed ways to strengthen regional readiness and further develop a warrior mindset among sailors and Marines.”
Rear Adm. Gregory C. Huffman, commander of Joint Task Force-Micronesia; and Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, commander of Joint Region Marianas; held a “roundtable discussion and a regional posture brief,” according to the Navy. Phelan also visited Naval Base Guam, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz and Andersen Air Force Base, according to the Navy.
Phelan came to Guam after visiting shipyards at Hanwha Ocean Shipbuilding and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea on April 30.
On May 2, Adm. Stephen T. Koehler, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Pacific; visited the Federated States of Micronesia.
Koehler met with President Wesley W. Semina and Vice President Aren B. Palik and then met with Yap leadership the same day. Also attending the meetings was Ambassador of the U.S. to the FSM, Jennifer L. Johnson.
Simina “reaffirmed the FSM’s deep appreciation for the enduring partnership between the FSM and the United States,” according to his office. “The meeting highlighted ongoing U.S. military engagement in the FSM, including the contributions of the U.S. Navy Seabees and preparations for Pacific Partnership 2025. President Simina also raised key national priorities, including the development of Yap port, reinstatement of Civic Action Team camps, support for FSM veterans, oil pollution mitigation in Chuuk Lagoon (See: mbjguam.com: What lies beneath. Chuuk Lagoon needs more oil clearance ) and critical infrastructure projects identified under the Joint Committee Meeting process,” the Office of the President said.
The U.S. Department of Defense plans “airfield modernization and seaport upgrades in Yap, commercial port improvements in Kosrae, the construction of a pre-engineered warehouse in Pohnpei, and basic harbor infrastructure enhancements in Chuuk,” according to Journal files.
Simina made a state visit to the People’s Republic of China in 2024, and Palik did so in March.
The 2025 Compact Joint Committee Meeting between the U.S. and the FSM is scheduled in Guam in May, according to Journal files. U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam also now attends Joint Committee meetings. mbj