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Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz

Coordinates: 13°34′11″N 144°50′27″E / 13.5698°N 144.8407°E / 13.5698; 144.8407
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Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz
Dededo in Guam
An aerial view of MCB Camp Blaz
MCB Camp Blaz is located in Guam
MCB Camp Blaz
MCB Camp Blaz
Location in Guam
Coordinates13°34′11″N 144°50′27″E / 13.5698°N 144.8407°E / 13.5698; 144.8407
TypeMarine Corps base
Site information
OwnerDepartment of Defense
OperatorUS Marine Corps
Controlled by
ConditionOperational
WebsiteOfficial website
Site history
In use2020–present
Garrison information
Current
commander		Colonel Ernest Govea

Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz is a U.S. Marine Corps facility located in the village of Dededo in northwest Guam.

History

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MCB Camp Blaz was activated on October 1, 2020, becoming the first new Marine Corps facility since the predecessor of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany was commissioned on March 1, 1952.[1] The base will house Marines relocated from installations in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, with the final relocation planned for 2025.[2]

MCB Camp Blaz is named after Guam local, Brigadier General Vicente T. "Ben" Blaz. Blaz was the first person of an ethnic minority to reach general rank in the USMC and the highest ranking Chamorro ever, as well as Guam's delegate to Congress from 1985 to 1993.[3]

The base officially opened on January 25, 2023, with a ceremony on January 26. Approximately 5,000 Marines are projected to be stationed there.[4][5]

Base

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Joint Region Marianas is the installation management authority for MCB Camp Blaz, as well as Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base.[6]

The main dormitories are located next to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam, with the base to house 1,300 permanently stationed Marines and support 3,700 additional Marines on rotating assignment. Base construction includes multiple new ranges and training facilities, schools, housing, and other support facilities.[1]

The Department of Defense spent $365 million in FY2020 on relocation expenses, with the total cost expected to be $8 billion, of which the Government of Japan will provide $2.8 billion.[2][7] The governor and Legislature of Guam have been engaged with the Guam Military Buildup.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Robson, Seth (30 September 2020). "Marines activate Camp Blaz on Guam, the Corps' first new base since 1952". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kaur, Anumita (8 February 2021). "DOD spent $365M for Guam military buildup last fiscal year". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  3. ^ "History". MCB Camp Blaz. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  4. ^ Wilson, Alex (10 December 2022). "'Solid progress': A look inside Camp Blaz, the Marine Corps' newest base on Guam". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Sabånan Fadang Memorial".
  6. ^ "Joint Region Marianas and military installations to transition to HPCON B". Stripes Guam. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Military gives Camp Blaz construction projects update". Pacific Daily News. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  8. ^ "35th Guam Legislature tours construction sites of future Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz and visits cultural remnants". Stars and Stripes. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
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