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 Bopp, commanding officer Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, provides a command brief to members and staff of the Guam 37th Legislature before a tour of MCB Camp Blaz facilities on Guam, March 17, 2023. MCB Camp Blaz coordinated with the Chairman for the Committee on the Guam Buildup, Senator Roy Quinata and his staff to invite all members of the Guam Legislature on a base tour to learn more about the Marine Corps' construction progress and to showcase the ongoing efforts to avoid, minimize, and offset the impact to Guam’s natural and cultural resources. In attendance were Sen. Roy Quinata, Sen. Jesse Lujan, and Sen. Joanne Brown. Staff members from the offices of Sen. Thomas Fisher and Sen. Amanda Shelton as well as the Executive Director of the Community Defense Liaison Office from the governor’s office Vera Topasna and the State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick Lujan were also in attendance. Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Joint...
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz assist in dyeing eggs for the Dededo Mayor's Office Easter event, April 7, 2023. Marines with MCB Camp Blaz volunteer to help Guam’s community for various events including holidays, community events, and environmental cleanups. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj Daniel A. Soto, sergeant major for Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, left, and a natural resource specialist plant a native tree from Guam during an outplanting event held at the Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) facilities on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 21, 2023. The saplings that were planted around the MWSS facilities were previously housed at one of the four plant nurseries on Camp Blaz. Totaling 18,000 square-feet, the plant nurseries are used to promote the growth of healthy plant material and propagated seeds until they are ready to be transplanted at various locations on Guam. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)
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)
In a historic moment for the Republic of Palau, one of its own has achieved the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) in the United States Marine Corps. This achievement marks the first time a Palauan has attained the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps. On May 12, 2023 Master Gunnery Sgt. Milton Donatus was frocked at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, Guam in front of a formation of Marines, family, Marine veterans, and the Consul General of the Republic of Palau on Guam.
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Senators and legislative staff members with the Guam 37th Legislature visited Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, March 17, 2023.
Throughout the week of April 17, base personnel prepared the landscaping at the Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) facilities on Andersen Air Force Base. This included assembling protective fencing and pre-digging planting sites in preparation of the outplanting of native saplings found on Guam. Volunteers with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz assembled at the site on April 21, 2023, to conduct an outplanting project with more than 22 saplings.
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.