Buenas yan Hafa adai.
As I reflect on 2024 and my first six months as the Joint Task Force – Micronesia Commander, I am filled with a profound sense
of pride at the incredible amount of work that has been accomplished in Guam and across our region. I am also humbled by the opportunity to lead such a talented team of professionals and work with such incredible partners.
This has been a year of growth, partnership, and resilience, not just for the
Joint Task Force, but also for the entire Indo-Pacific region.
When I assumed command in June, I was immediately reminded of the weight
of our mission. In my new role, I am tasked to synchronize regional operations and activities across all domains to enable a robust warfighting posture and enhance partner nation capacity.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command established JTF-M to strengthen regional cooperation and provide a unified U.S. presence in one of the most strategically important areas of the world. It is a demonstration of our commitment to protect and defend this region. It’s a mission we approach with focus and
purpose, knowing that our work has a direct impact on the security and
prosperity of our Pacific islands family.
Strengthening partnerships
One of my top priorities this year has been strengthening our partnerships throughout Micronesia. Security in this region depends on mutual trust and
collaboration, and I am proud of the team for the strides we have made in enhancing those relationships.
In the past year, we worked closer than ever with Gov. Leon Guerrero and
the government of Guam through the Civil-Military Coordination Council and with Gov. Arnold Palacios and the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands through the executive and agency stakeholder meetings that centered on promoting shared interests and developing common bonds.
Our first CNMI Industry Day in Saipan and Tinian last September was a
tremendous success and highlighted our promise of supporting mutually
beneficial economic growth in the Marianas.
We want residents to benefit from our investments and presence here by directly partnering through small business opportunities and employment with local businesses and the Department of Defense.
Construction is the dominant activity in the CNMI, but the future looks
promising as we shift to operations, expanded training and ensure we maintain the investments for years to come.
We also continued our commitment to Title III of the Compact of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau through our Joint Committee Meetings, where we are working closely to ensure that our actions in the region protect the sovereignty and security of the COFA states and their
respective exclusive economic zones while respecting the concerns and interests of the people.
I very much look forward to the coming year, as we expand the Joint Task Force area of responsibility and engage in robust dialogue with our partners in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
I also look forward to opportunities to better align efforts of federal partners as we all strive to efficiently deliver on the promises of the Compacts.
Enhancing readiness
The Indo-Pacific is a dynamic region, and the challenges we face are ever-evolving. This past year, we held 18 major exercises, including Exercise Sea Dragon, Cope North, Valiant Shield, and Pacific Vanguard, involving partner nations such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and Canada.
Training evolutions not only demonstrate capability; they help our armed
forces learn and adapt. When we train with our regional allies, the lessons we
learn ensure that together we are ready to meet any challenge that lies ahead.
It is our personal commitment to promote prosperity and security, deter aggression and protect our way of life. Not only do we deliver power for peace,
but we are always ready to fight to win as part of the Joint Force and alongside our Allies and partners.
Preparing for the future, when being there matters
It is clear that the Indo-Pacific will remain the center of global security. We are laser-focused on ensuring that the U.S. can continue to answer the region’s
defense needs, while strengthening our capabilities for the future.
Just last month we marked a significant milestone with the first homeporting of a Virginia-class submarine, USS Minnesota (SSN 783), in Guam. This addition highlights the importance of Guam as an operational platform and enhances
our undersea capabilities in an evolving maritime environment.
In a first for Guam, the Missile Defense Agency, working with our local commands, successfully tested our missile defense capabilities in anticipation of the installment of an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense system.
The Guam Defense System will serve as a critical pillar of defense in this region ensuring we are ready to counter advanced threats.
As we close out 2024, we also welcomed approximately 100 logistics support Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force as part of the first wave of movers into Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.
These Marines will hit the ground running and expand our expeditionary
capabilities to respond to regional crises.
Camp Blaz has come a long way, and we are very proud of our environmental teams, who worked hard to ensure that the precious cultural and natural
resources in Guam are protected, without losing force lethality to meet our mission as an armed force.
Looking ahead to maintaining peace and prosperity
As we prepare for 2025, I am extremely optimistic about the road ahead. There is still much work to do, but I am confident in the strength of our team, the
partnerships we have built, and the friendships we share.
The success of JTF-M is the result of the dedication and professionalism of the men and women who serve alongside me. Together, we are proving that when like-minded nations come together with a shared vision, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.
I am proud of our accomplishments in 2024, and excited to realize the fruits
of our labor in 2025 and well into the future. There is no doubt that the Indo-Pacific is a region of immense promise, and I am honored to be part of the team working toward security and stability for the region and for our families who call this very special place their island home.
Biba Guam, Biba JTF-M!
Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman is the commander of Joint Task Force - Micronesia.
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