Guam Official Has Odd Complaint: He Wanted an Island Base to Close
The displeased governor of Guam felt left out Friday. The Pentagon’s plans for closing military bases failed to include a naval station on the island territory.
In an unusual complaint, Gov. Joseph Ada said he was “shocked and disappointed” that the Pentagon decided not to shut down the Agana Naval Air Station. He said Guam has been asking the government to close the base for years.
The base has little military value, Ada said, and it could be put to better commercial uses if control of the land is returned to Guamanians.
“Ever since the end of the Vietnam War, naval activities have been almost nonexistent” at the base, he said. “There is no military justification for keeping it open.”
While protests mounted nationwide over feared job losses from proposed base closings, Ada said Guam’s economy could get a boost from eliminating the naval station.
“The occupation of so much of our real estate by the military has been more an economic hindrance,” he said.
Ada said an Air Force base near the naval station can handle any military aviation needs for Guam.
A Pentagon spokesman declined comment on Ada’s complaint.
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