The Pentagon's proposed missile defense system for Guam would employ moreTerminal High Altitude Area Defense systems, such as the one seen here at Dedeo, Guam, on Nov. 11, 2022. (Hannah Malone/U.S. Air Force)
Public meetings in early August to give Guam residents information about an advanced, 360-degree missile defense project on the U.S. island territory left many unanswered questions, according to two who attended.
The Missile Defense Agency, a branch of the Pentagon, held three scoping meetings in Hagat, Dededo and Tumon Bay, some of Guam’s most populous areas, between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4. Agency representatives made presentations and took questions on the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System first announced in March.
The agency describes the project as a “comprehensive, persistent, 360-degree” defense of the island against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles. The plan calls for 20 rotating sites and cutting-edge technology such as the SM-3 Block IIA missile that’s still under development.
Robert Underwood, chairman of the Guam-based think tank Pacific Center for Island Security, was concerned about the new technology.
“You’re not making me feel better by telling me you’re giving me the most sophisticated equipment and sophisticated technical expertise when there’s open questions about the efficacy of the system that you’re advocating for,” he told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday.
Rear Adm. Douglas Williams, director of testing for the Missile Defense Agency, expects to test SM-3 Block IIA missiles for the first time with the Aegis Weapon System sometime in December 2024, online news site Breaking Defense reported Wednesday. Williams spoke that day at the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala., according to Breaking Defense.
Guam's proposed missile defense system may employ the SM-3 Block IIA missile, seen here launching from the deck of the USS John Paul Jones on Feb.3, 2017, to intercept enemy missiles. (U.S. Navy)
The Missile Defense Agency did not respond by Friday to emailed requests for comments on Thursday.
Underwood, previously Guam’s delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, asked whether the project would make Guam a bigger target. The 210-square-mile island is already home to strategically important bases including Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base, along with smaller installations.
“We’re spending this much money on an anti-missile defense system, are you spending any money on preparing people for an attack - like bunkers and things like that?” he said.
Agency officials and representatives from Joint Region Marianas also made presentations to Guam legislators, the governor’s office and local elected officials.
Guam Sen. Chris Barnett said he has only more questions.
“Of course, everyone wants ‘Defense of Guam’ but that has to be more than a slogan or blind trust,” Barnett said Friday by email to Stars and Stripes. “Given the lack of real information the military has shared, it’s hard to see how anyone could just say, ‘I support the MDA’s missile defense proposal.”
That’s unfortunate, he said, “because the MDA and the local command in Guam have the answers, but they are not being shared with the people and public officials.”
Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman, commander of Joint Region Marianas, acknowledged public frustrations.
“I know there are lots of questions and concerns and it can be frustrating that we don’t have all of the answers right now,” he told Stars and Stripes in a Thursday email. “I’d like to remind the public that we are at the very beginning of this process and the feedback we receive will shape some of the answers to your questions.”
