Bordallo Explores PACOM Plans to Prioritize Pacific Realignments amid Sequestration
March 5, 2013
Press Release
Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today received testimony from General C. Robert Kehler, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), and Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), at a full committee hearing held by the House Armed Services Committee on the Fiscal Year 2014 posture of PACOM and STRATCOM. The Congresswoman asked how the Asia-Pacific rebalance will be prioritized in light of sequestration’s added budget constraints. She also requested more information on the outlook of bilateral and multilateral military training exercises in the PACOM area of responsibility.
Admiral Locklear said the realignment of U.S. Marines to Guam remains on track, and noted that the Government of Japan will soon release its environmental impact statement on the construction of a Futenma Replacement Facility. Admiral Locklear also reaffirmed the overall Administration’s support for, and focus on, the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. In his prepared statement, he also stressed that sequestration and a continuing resolution may undermine strategic rebalance initiatives, exasperate existing resource challenges and result in increased risk.
“Although it may take months to see the full effects of sequestration, I am concerned about how these added cuts to defense spending will affect the timing of the movement of Marines to Guam,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “Admiral Locklear said he was hopeful the build-up would remain on track and noted in his statement, that it may be completed by 2020. This is only a rough estimate of when the realignment on Guam will occur; however, his statement provides greater certainty in the future of the build-up and is consistent with previous discussions on the topic.
It is critical to prioritize investments in the realignments in the Pacific, given our agreement with the Government of Japan as well as the uncertainty and volatility of the region.
Moreover, as leadership in Congress works to find a solution to halt sequestration, I appreciate that Admiral Locklear is working to strengthen alliances and build new partnerships with countries in the Asia-Pacific. Multilateral training and joint exercises with regional partners is an important part of this rebalance, and will play an increasingly important role in the coming years as the build-up moves forward and as DoD works to deal with an even tighter budget. Guam and the Marianas region will play a significant role in supporting these multilateral training opportunities, as evidenced by recent exercises like Cope North.”