A massive American missile system could be bad news for the islanders

A $1.7 billion missile defense program will be built Guam could have serious consequences for the island’s infrastructure and environment, according to a new report.

In the report, the Missile Defense Agency indicated there would be “long-lasting and significant impacts” on the island region, which is located in the Pacific Ocean near the Philippine Sea, if the Defense Department proceeds with construction.

Building the defense system would require Guam, which has a population of 170,000, to support more than 2,000 new people over the 10-year construction period, with contractors, Department of Defense personnel and their family members all needing permanent housing.

The agency plans to build 16 sites across the island over the next decade as tensions in Southeast Asia continue to escalate.

Due to its location near the Philippines, Japan, China and the Korean Peninsula, Guam is an important strategic base for the US, especially as conflict between the United States increases. disputed waters in the South China Sea.

In a statement outlining the rationale for the missile program, the Defense Department said: “Guam is a key strategic location for sustaining and maintaining U.S. influence, deterring adversaries, responding to crises, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“An attack on Guam would be considered a direct attack on the United States and would be met with an appropriate response.”

Despite Guam’s strategic importance, its economy and infrastructure remain unstable.

The agency’s report describes the island’s medical support as “already stressed,” and warns that “because the island of Guam is identified as a low-income minority population, significant impacts to housing and medical services would result in cumulative impacts on minority and population groups. low-income populations.”

Newsweek contacted the Missile Defense Agency via email for comment on the report’s findings.

The Missile Defense Agency said the Department of Defense is taking steps to prevent significant impacts to Guam’s infrastructure.

“While significant impacts to housing and medical services have been identified, DoD is addressing military needs for housing and medical services on Guam in a holistic approach to address potential cumulative impacts,” the report said.

Recent images from the area have shown that the US military is taking further steps Preparing Guam for conflict in the region.

In a photo published by the US Navy On Oct. 18, Tom Mancinelli, acting undersecretary of the Navy, was seen receiving a briefing the day before during his tour of the MK-41 Vertical Launch System site on Guam.

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