US military to reduce land footprint in Guam
HAGATNA, Guam (AP)—U.S. defense officials say they plan to keep their pledge to reduce the military’s land footprint in Guam even as it shifts about 5,000 people to the territory.
Pacific Daily News reported Wednesday that Department of Defense Undersecretary Robert Work reiterated the promise during a visit to the island.
Work says recently revised plans shift family housing to Andersen Air Force Base for about 1,300 military dependents, rather than develop about 400 acres of forested area.
He says the change saves the military money because renovated homes can use existing infrastructure.
The United States plan to shift about 5,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam. More than one-fourth of Guam’s land is under military control.
