Defense Secretary: Guam, CNMI Are Vital Parts of America, Central to Our Defense

On Thursday, CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios joined Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Guam Delegate James Moylan in welcoming U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Guam. The defense secretary is making his first official visit to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Japan.

Hegseth delivered remarks to service members and World War II veterans at an aircraft hangar at Andersen Air Force Base before touring military facilities. “Guam and CNMI are vital parts of America and central to our defense mission. And I want to be very clear to everyone in this room, to the cameras: any attack against these islands is an attack against the U.S. We recognize that. We understand that. We are committed to that, and we would meet any attack with the appropriate response,” Hegseth said.

He added, “We are not seeking war with Communist China, but it is our job to ensure that we are ready… My first platoon motto is: Those who long for peace must prepare for war. It is our responsibility as the defense department to be leaning forward and prepared. And Guam, central and vital to those preparations… Strengthening civilian infrastructure underpins the ability for military buildup, and it has to be done working together.”

Guam Governor Leon Guerrero stressed that national security must include human health security. “We want to be a partner in the readiness effort. But national security cannot happen without human health security… Our island needs a regional hospital capable of handling mass casualties—whether from conflict or natural disasters. That’s why we are urging you to convene the Defense Economic Adjustment Committee to help us build that capacity.”

She added, “China is not going to win this war by missiles. China is going to win this war by taking down our port, taking down our airport, taking down our water, taking down our electricity–all those things that are necessary for the defense of our people. That’s why it’s very important, Mr. Secretary, to really invest in hardening our infrastructure. Putting our electricity underground, monitoring our water wells, and so forth.”

Marianas Press has reached out to the CNMI Governor’s Office for comment.