Eagle Over the Western Pacific

Those thinking the United States is retreating from the western Pacific are mistaken.

Apra Harbor, in Guam, is currently the home port of three US Navy Los Angeles Class attack submarines. The deep water port is also being expanded to accommodate cruisers and aircraft carriers. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently stationed in Okinawa, will be relocated to Guam. Anderson AFB is also undergoing changes, as the 36th Air Defense Wing was re designated the 36th Wing (a higher formation), signalling a possible expansion.

Guam has the advantage of being US territory, therefore avoiding some of the messy situations that sometimes arise when the US has to seek a foreign government's permission to launch air strikes from its territory (like Libya in 1986).

Forces in Guam can easily sortie to trouble spots such as the Taiwan (where three Los Angeles subs can be a potent deterrent) or North Korea. Guam is also less vulnerable than Okinawa.

For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.