By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
A senior defense official, who is stepping down from his post next month, has assured Guam that the U.S. Navy will lend a hand in addressing the infrastructure shortfalls ensuing from the military buildup on island.
“Assuring the defense of our homeland, and building and strengthening our military capabilities and associated infrastructure on Guam, requires our
continued collaboration to keep pace with the needed growth and to resolve the concerns expressed by the people of Guam,” Erik Raven, undersecretary of the Navy, said in a letter to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.
The Navy announced Raven’s resignation on July 3, six months after he was named the Department of Defense's lead official for Guam as the military buildup accelerates in preparation for the influx of Marines from Okinawa.
“I am committed to working with you as I develop, coordinate, and
communicate unified Department of Defense positions moving forward," he wrote in his letter to the governor.
Quoting Navy spokesperson Capt. Courtney Hillson, USNI News reported that Raven was “leaving to pursue other opportunities and to also focus on family.”
Capt. Courtney Hillson, spokesperson for the undersecretary of the Navy, said Tom Mancinelli, who served as principal deputy for legislative affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, will perform the duties of the undersecretary of the Navy after Raven's departure later this summer.
The 2006 realignment agreement between the U.S. and Japan will entail the relocation of 5,000 Marines and their dependents. The first flow of troops is anticipated to arrive later this year.
Raven and Leon Guerrero have previously discussed the need to augment power, water and housing supply to meet the demands of the island's growing population.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in furtherance
of our collective national security goals, as well as efforts that improve the quality of life for the people of Guam and the United States military and civilian personnel who call Guam home,” Raven told the governor.
“Our ongoing, constructive engagements reflect our commitment to resolving many matters associated with the military buildup on Guam,” he added.
The military population on Guam is estimated to grow up to 45,000 by 2037.
Raven has identified strategic infrastructure, healthcare and economic growth as the main areas for collaboration between the Navy and Guam.
The goals include efficient delivery of goods and services, stable water and power supply, adequate housing, adequate healthcare system, strengthened
telecommunications and cybersecurity infrastructure.
“Improving the quality of life for our servicemembers and residents of Guam requires the exploration of new pathways designed to improve housing accessibility and affordability, safety, connectivity, and resilience to improve daily lives and strategic operations in Guam,” Raven said.
“The provision of quality healthcare for all Guam citizens, military and civilian personnel, veterans, and their families requires a resilient and modem healthcare system,” he added.
Besides the $11 billion worth of construction projects covered by the 2006 realignment roadmap, the defense department is poised to build a Guam missile defense architecture to shore up the island’s protection against potential threats from China.
“A healthy and prosperous economy and a culture of innovation improves
quality of life, enhances our national defense objectives, and yields economic
development opportunities and career pathways for hardworking citizens who rise to the call of protecting our nation,” Raven said.
“I believe these tenets help maintain the proper perspective as we discuss individual issues, as well as mutual opportunities that may arise for partnership,”
he added.
As the Pentagon's senior representative on Guam, Raven provides oversight and supports the Joint Region Marianas in the execution of its installation management mission. He is also in charge of delivering new capabilities to meet logistics, environmental and infrastructure requirements.
“Working together, we can forge a bright and enduring future for Guam. As always, we are grateful for Guam's enduring partnership in strengthening our homeland and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Raven added.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro praised Raven as a “true leader” in a statement announcing the end of his tenure.
Raven took on the job as the Navy's undersecretary in April 2022 and has served as the Department of the Navy’s chief operating officer and chief management officer.
Raven was a key cog in the trilateral defense partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States known as AUKUS, Del Toro said, and also oversaw “the largest-ever investment in shipbuilding” as well as Guam infrastructure improvements, among other accomplishments.
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