Provide the Fleet Marine Forces with operational functionality in order to enhance warfighting capabilities, facilitate the strengthening of coalition partnerships and joint region relationships, while projecting forward presence.
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Christopher L. Bopp, commanding officer for Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, passes the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Soto, signifying his assumption of duties as sergeant major of MCB Camp Blaz during appointment ceremony held at MCB Camp Blaz on Feb. 16, 2023. Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Soto will serve as the base’s first sergeant major since its official activation in 2020. The sergeant major of a unit is the senior enlisted leader and advisor who is responsible for the welfare and morale of the Marines. The sergeant major is also an advocate for the enlisted Marines of his or her unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Rubin J. Tan)
U.S. Marines salute during the Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Reactivation and Naming Ceremony at Asan Beach, National Historical Park, Asan, Guam, on Jan. 26, 2023. The Reactivation and Naming Ceremony officially recognized the activation and naming of Naval Support Activity, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz after Marine Barracks Guam was deactivated on Nov. 10, 1992. MCB Camp Blaz was administratively activated on October 1, 2020. It is the first newly constructed base for the Marine Corps since 1952 and will serve as an enduring symbol of the continued partnership between the Marine Corps and the Government of Guam, which has existed since the Spanish surrender to U.S. forces on June 21, 1898. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp)
U.S. Marines have left a mark on the U.S. territory of Guam since the beginning of the 20th century. We continue to celebrate this history, ultimately leading to the reactivation of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Jan. 26, 2023. U.S. Marines have left a mark on the U.S. territory of Guam since the beginning of the 20th century, contributing to regional stability by serving as an enduring symbol of the continued partnership between the Marine Corps and the government of Guam. When Marines first landed on the Pacific island of Guam during the Spanish-American War and established Marine Barracks Guam in the village of Sumay, we began a century-long relationship that ultimately led to the administrative activation of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz on Oct. 1, 2020.
On June 21, 1898 the first Marines landed on the Pacific island of Guam during the Spanish-American War, beginning a century-long relationship between the Marine Corps and the people of Guam.
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Christopher L. Bopp, commanding officer for Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, left, talks to Maj. Gen. Jay M. Bargeron, commanding general for 3rd Marine Division, right, during a visit to Guam, July 20, 2022. MCB Camp Blaz is currently under construction and will allow the Marine Corps to maintain a forward presence in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz march during the Guam 78th Liberation Day Parade in Hagåtña, Guam, July 21, 2022. The parade is a celebration of U.S. forces liberating Guam from Japanese Imperial Forces in 1944 during World War II. Throughout the month of July there are events and ceremonies held as part of Guam’s liberation month. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Rubin J. Tan)
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander, left, welcomes U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen E. Liszewski, commanding general for Marine Corps Installations Pacific, right, during a visit to Guam, July 18, 2022. Multiple key leaders gathered to discuss the future development of the military presence and construction in Guam. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)
The Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz color guard presents the colors during the National Anthem, at the Asan Landing Memorial Ceremony in Asan, Guam, July 14, 2022. The month of July in Guam marks the 78th anniversary since Guam was liberated from Japanese Imperial Forces in 1944. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)
U.S. service members render a salute during the National Anthem at the Hasso Agat and Fena Memorial Ceremony in Agat, Guam, July 19, 2022. The month of July marks the 78th anniversary since U.S. forces liberated Guam from Japanese Imperial Forces in 1944. Throughout the month, there are various ceremonies across the island to remember the residents and service members who lost their lives during World War II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Rubin J. Tan)
U.S. Navy Capt. Steven J. Stasick, the Officer In Charge of Construction (OICC) Marine Corps Marianas outgoing commanding officer, right, relinquishes command to Capt. Robert Stiles, OICC Marine Corps Marianas incoming commanding officer, left, during the OICC Marine Corps Marianas change of command ceremony held at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 8, 2022. In 2016, OICC Marine Corps Marianas was established to support the Defense Policy Review Initiative in overseeing the $8.7 billion construction program, with $3.1 billion provided by the Government of Japan, to construct Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz and other facilities across Guam. To date, the command has overseen the completion of 18 projects valued at $882 million with 39 active projects valued at $3.3 billion under construction. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Rubin J. Tan)
U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, participate in Saipan’s 76th Liberation Day parade held in Garapan, Saipan, July 4, 2022. Marines with the 2nd Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, and the Army’s 27th Infantry Division, participated in the Battle of Saipan lasting for 24 days from June 15 to July 9, 1944. Saipan’s Liberation Day commemorates the permanent closure of civilian internment camps on July 4, 1946. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Rubin J. Tan)
U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, Mr. Kai Kahele, left, takes a tour of the new Live-Fire Training Range Complex at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, Guam, June 13, 2022. MCB Camp Blaz is currently being constructed in Guam and will bring additional capabilities to Marines and other military branches operating in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)
U.S. Navy Capt. Steven Stasick, the Officer In Charge of Construction Marine Corps Marianas commanding officer, shows various construction projects to members from the Guam Chamber of Commerce’s Armed Forces Committee during a visit to Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, Guam, April 20, 2022. The visit to MCB Camp Blaz included a tour of MCB Camp Blaz facilities and construction sites. Visits to MCB Camp Blaz allow the local community and strategic partners to engage with the base while strengthening and enhancing their partnership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Rubin J. Tan)
Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz instated its first sergeant major during an appointment ceremony held at the base on Feb. 16, 2023. Sgt. Maj. Daniel Soto will be the base’s first sergeant major since its official activation in 2020.
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The Marine Corps is reactivating a new base on Guam, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz. Why Guam?
Committed to the protection of plants such as the cycads, animals, and historical and cultural sites on Guam, MCB Camp Blaz has enacted various initiatives and worked with outside organizations to aid in the study and preservation of the local ecology.