Pentagon Faces Gaps in Planning for Guam Missile Defense System, Watchdog Warns

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that, despite Guam's critical importance in the U.S. military's Pacific defense strategy, the Pentagon currently lacks a definitive plan for managing and maintaining its future missile defense system.

The report named “DOD Faces Support Challenges for Defense of Guam” highlights ongoing uncertainties within military branches regarding the oversight of operations and sustainment for the Guam Defense System to safeguard the island against aerial threats.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is actively funding the development of missile defense systems. However, a definitive timeline or strategy for transferring responsibilities to military branches such as the Army or Navy has yet to be established.

The Army has informed the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that it is unable to finalize its personnel or infrastructure plans until there is clarity regarding leadership and operational roles. In a complex situation, the island's current THAAD missile battery, which has been in place for more than ten years, continues to operate without dedicated Army infrastructure. This reliance on support from the Navy and Marine Corps has created logistical challenges, a situation that was particularly evident during a typhoon in 2023.

The GDS is slated for deployment between 2027 and 2032, with an estimated budget of $8 billion. However, a comprehensive deployment schedule and staffing plan have yet to be established.

The Government Accountability Office has issued three significant recommendations, calling on the Department of Defense to specify personnel requirements, create comprehensive long-term base integration strategies, and formulate a definitive timeline for transferring missile defense responsibilities to the respective service branches.