IndoPacom well-equipped to defend the region, commander tells Guam leaders

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero met briefly with Adm. Samuel Palau, Indo-Pacom commander, and his team during a courtesy call in Adelup on Friday. Photo courtesy of the governor's office

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Indo-Pacific Command is prepared to defend Guam and the entire Pacific island region that is getting caught in escalating geopolitical tensions, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said Monday, citing assurance from the unit's chief.

Leon Guerrero briefly met with Adm. Samuel Paparo, IndoPacom commander, last week.

“Guam is the homeland, and Admiral Paparo provided assurances that IndoPacom has the resources available to provide security, stability and protection to Guam and the region," the governor said.

“Admiral Paparo was firm in his commitment to applying the lessons the U.S. has learned from the past to ensure that IndoPacom strives to protect Guam and the entire Pacific region," she added.

Paparo assumed the command in May.

Gov. Arnold Palacios (left) and Lt. Gov. David Apatang (right) welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo (center), who was recently appointed as Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in May 2024. Photo courtesy of the CNMI governor's office

The IndoPacom has repeatedly declared that building a Guam missile defense system is a top priority.

Officials said the IndoPacom area of responsibility encompasses "about half the earth's surface, stretching from the waters off the west coast of the U.S. to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole. Approximately 375,000 U.S. military and civilian personnel are assigned to the command's area of responsibility.

Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Tenorio hosted a welcome dinner for the admiral and his team at the Government House on Friday evening. Paparo joined Guam leaders on the grandstand at the 80th Guam Liberation Day Parade on Sunday.

They were joined by Admiral Brent DeVore, Commander of Joint Region Marianas; Admiral Gregory Huffman, Commander of Joint Task Force Micronesia; and other military leaders.

Visiting Saipan on Saturday, Paparo reaffirmed the U.S. military's regional commitments and discussed other collaborative efforts with the CNMI.

CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios and Lt. Gov. David Apatang welcomed Paparo, who led a military delegation during a brief tour around Saipan. 

Paparo's visit came after other high-level visits to the CNMI by Department of Defense leaders and heads of other federal agencies. 

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