Guam News - Guam News

Guam - This weekend is a major military weekend for Guam.

About 4-thousand sailors aboard  the U.S. George Washington Aircraft Carrier arrived at Naval Station Guam this morning [Friday]. They're here for some R & R and they'll be participating in a number of community service projects. 

Separately, another 2,200 Marines along with Japanese Defense forces, have arrived for a series of exercises that run through next Tuesday.

USS George Washington: 

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington is the 6th ship in the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named after the first U.S. President George Washington.

She was commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. July 4, 1992.

While on island, hundreds of Sailors will volunteer their time to support several community service projects:

*       Special Olympics of Guam – Sailors will coach bowling athletes at Century Lanes Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-noon

*       Wettengel Elementary School – Sailors will participate in cleanup efforts Sept. 22, 8 a.m.-noon

*       Guam Memorial Hospital (GHM) – Volunteers will beautify the hospital Sept. 22, 8 a.m.-4 p.m

*       GMH Skilled Nursing Unit – Volunteers will conduct various cleaning duties Sept. 22, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

*       Guam Animals In Need – Sailors will clean up kennels and care for animals Sept. 23, 8 a.m.-noon

*       St. Dominick’s Retirement Home – Sailors will visit residents and assist staff members with daily activities Sept. 23, noon-4 p.m.

*       P.C. Lujan Elementary School – Sailors will speak with students about life in the Navy Sept. 24, 8 a.m.-noon

*       Untalan Middle School – Sailors will conduct career presentations Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

*       George Washington High School – Volunteers will discuss with students the various Navy careers and the importance of an education Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Marine Training: 

Approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, are currently conducting readiness training on Guam until next Tuesday, September 25.  Japanese Ground Defense soldiers will also be participating

They will be participating in a series of exercises over the next 4 days. All the exercises will be taking place on base property.

That included an early morning boat raid today on Haputo Beach with Company F,  Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st MEU, and a platoon of Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldiers.  According to a release from the Marines, the troops disembarked from the USS Tortuga in combat rubber raid crafts and assaulted the beach. 

Tomorrow, a helicopter assault exercise will take place at Andersen South. It includes an assault on vacant housing units in the training area, clearing houses and fighting enemy role-players.  It involves only U.S. Marines, not Japanese forces.

Sunday, there will be a humanitarian aid exercise at Orote Peninsula. This event includes Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, conducting support activities for humanitarian aid requirements, to include construction and debris removal.  This event will involve Japanese soldiers providing security for the Marines. 

Also on Sunday, a memorial ceremony will be held at the South Pacific Memorial Park in Yigo.  It will involve Gen. Kimizuka (JGSDF Chief of Staff) and Lt. Gen. Glueck (III MEF Commanding General) paying respects in a brief ceremony to honor the sacrifices made during World War II. 

Governor Calvo and representatives from the U.S. Embassy-Tokyo will also be present.