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Pentagon Official: Guam Defense System JPO Established; Initial Capability Targeted for 2027, Cost Estimated at $8 Billion
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Summary
Lieutenant General Rasch told the subcommittee the Guam Defense Systems Joint Program Office was stood up in February 2024, is synchronizing service systems and command-and-control, and that the department estimates roughly $8 billion of service investments will be located on Guam; the initial capability increment is planned for 2027.
WASHINGTON — Lieutenant General Rasch, testifying for Army senior leadership, told a Senate Armed Services subcommittee that the Department of Defense established the Guam Defense Systems Joint Program Office (JPO) in February 2024 and is aiming for an initial capability increment in 2027.
“The Joint Program Office is charged with synchronizing the development, testing, fielding, and sustainment of the Guam Defense System components in the integration of the corresponding command and control systems,” Rasch told the panel, describing the JPO’s role in developing a joint integrated battle manager to allow service systems to operate as a unified architecture.
Rasch said the department expects the Guam defense investment — comprised of systems the services are building and placing on the island — to total about $8,000,000,000 across the services. He said that figure isolates services’ defense system costs from other DOD and recovery spending on Guam.
Witnesses said Guam’s architecture combines Navy Aegis capabilities, Missile Defense Agency systems, Army IBCS and Army/Task Force Talon THAAD assets, and Air Force command‑and‑control. Rasch and other witnesses emphasized integration of those service systems, not simply co‑location, as the critical task.
Senators pressed on timeline and sustainment. Rasch told the subcommittee the department is working to ensure the force structure, sustainment tail and personnel training are in place so the capability can be sustained “not just for a day, but for years.” He also said the Guam National Guard has provided security support for deployed THAAD elements.
No formal committee action followed; senators said they expect additional oversight as Guam efforts proceed.
