U.S. hails Japan's offer of $336 mil for U.S. forces realignment

Sunday 12th July, 09:30 AM JST

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alphawolf at 10:55 PM JST - 12th July

We don't have much money... we'll take it.

aw
TheQuestion at 11:14 PM JST - 12th July

Poor Guam.

Guam is a U.S territory and has benefited greatly from U.S presence. I doubt they'll mind. But I'm wondering if they will open a new base or simply expand Andersen.
YuriOtani at 01:15 AM JST - 13th July

I wonder why it is so expensive? Are they going to have gold platted plumbing fixtures? There is the old American airstrip or Northwest Field. Plenty of room for the Marines. You can still see the runways and tarmacs from the air. It is of such a position from Anderson AFB that its runways can be used at the same time. Still why is it so expensive to rebuild a base for 15,000 Marines? The entire American force in Okinawa could be relocated there.
amerijap at 06:15 AM JST - 13th July

Ughhh, please tell me this is a joke of the century!!! The JP government has paid over a billion of dollars for the US military bases for the last half century. I wonder how much blood of money the sycophantic JP government has kept paying so far. Especially the military base in Okinawa. It is through the roof regarding that JP government began to pay all the debts since the US occupation in 1952.
amerijap at 06:17 AM JST - 13th July

Especially the military base in Okinawa. It is through the roof regarding that JP government began to pay all the debts since the US occupation in 1952.

My bad. The date should be in '1945.'
Fadamor at 06:57 AM JST - 13th July

For all of you wondering, here's where that $336 Million is going to be spent on Guam (source: U.S. State Department website):

On-base infrastructure project in Finegayan area (initial phase) $124.8 million

On-base infrastructure project in the north area of Andersen Air Force Base $27 million

On-base infrastructure project in Apra area $169.1 million

Design project (fire station and bachelor enlisted quarters in Finegayan area, and port operation unit headquarters building and medical clinic in Apra area) $15.1 million

Sorry, no first-class plane tickets seem to be listed. ;-P
Fadamor at 08:05 AM JST - 13th July

YuriOtani,

I took a look at the Northwest field in Google Earth (photo taken early 2006). While the initial markings may still be there, the field hasn't been in use for flight operations since 1949. The only thing still in use appears to be the Radomes at the Southwest end of the runways. Both runways as well as all the roads and taxiways would need a total replacement in order to handle modern aircraft and vehicles. So they would have to spend much MORE to use that field than Anderson - which is already suitable for the Marine's aircraft.
Fadamor at 08:10 AM JST - 13th July

Besides, Wikipedia says that a rehabilitation program was started in 2008 to use the Northwest field as a training area for Special Ops.
YuriOtani at 11:07 AM JST - 13th July

Fadamor, I was thinking about capacity. The Northwest field is perfect for the lighter Marine Aircraft saving Anderson for the Airforce Units arriving from Kadena AFB. I would like to see the noisy fighter squadrons transfered to Guam as well. Add the Navy units as well, they could do their job from Guam. Send the special forces to the American desert. Stupid place to train troops to fight in the dessert.
Coolasapool at 03:23 PM JST - 13th July

will see how Okinawans like it when their business go bust after the move after complaining for so long.. careful what you wish for.
Nessie at 04:09 PM JST - 13th July

Does noone else thing "realignment" is a problematic word? Realigning with which country?
Fadamor at 03:32 AM JST - 14th July

It's a realignment of force distribution. Less U.S. forces in Japan and more U.S. forces in Guam. Japan's paying for this because they basically told the U.S., "Get out, but still come running if we get threatened." Covering Japan's butt is a lot more expensive from Guam, so Japan is expected to compensate the U.S. for the inconvienience.
Fadamor at 03:41 AM JST - 14th July

Special Ops trains for a variety of terrains and settings. Just because the wars we're currently in are in arid and mountanous regions does not preclude a conflict in a jungle setting sometime in the future. Marine Harrier jets would never be able to use Northwest Field without major modifications. The tarmac would be destroyed with every vertical take-off/landing.
YuriOtani at 04:02 AM JST - 14th July

Fadamor, that is why the Government of Japan is paying to help move the Americans. Really Japan can defend herself and if a stronger "deterrent" force is required that too is possible. It is unlikely that Japan will be attacked by China or Russia and America could help defend if needed. Japan can hold its own against North Korea.
Nessie at 03:42 PM JST - 15th July

It's a realignment of force distribution

In other words, a redistribution of forces, not a "realignment." What say you, Fadamor?