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| Onboard a US aircraft carrier in the western Pacific Ocean, near the island of Guam |
Guam is a small island located in the western Pacific Ocean, it is also an organised, unincorporated territory of the US. China's militarisation, and what the US see as a huge military modernisation programme is challenging the balance of power in the Pacific.
In response to this challenge of America's absolute control of these sea lanes, the US is shifting tens of thousands of servicemen to Guam, and at the cost of billions of US dollars transforming the island into a military stronghold.
On the USS Stennis, pilots prepare for another mission over the Pacific. It is all part of Operation Valiant Shield, "a demonstration that America is present," explains Captain Bradley. No one here will admit it but the deployment of 30 warships and several hundred combat aircraft is aimed at making China take note. It is the biggest show of US power in the Pacific for 30 years. America's strategy on Guam is about deterrence - preparing for war to prevent a war. While no serving officer mentions China by name, the message is clear.
Along with Operation Valiant Shield, Washington intends transforming the island of Guam into a 21st century fortress. "This is the largest transfer of forces in the history of the military," explains Captain Robert Lee.
Two Tier Island
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| Guam's indigenous population, the Chamarro, are angered by the US plans |
US Major General David F. Bice announced in 2007 that Guam would be the site of "the largest military build-up in the history of the US".
Guam is a political anomaly: A US territory where the population of 170,000 do not have US voting rights, and where island politics are controlled by Washington and, more practically, the military.
Locals say that the communities indigenous to this small Pacific island will not survive. The indigenous population, the Chamarro, live in poverty and preserving their traditional way of life is a struggle. "We are certainly on the endangered species list," says Chamorro leader Debbie Quintana.
Now the US plans to make Guam the lynchpin of its military strategy in the western Pacific, the future of Guam is being decided by Washington DC and the mood on the island is one of anger and disbelief.
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This episode of People & Power aired from Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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