The Guam Defense System Joint Program Office hosted the GDS Summit 25-2 at Fort Shafter from Aug. 11–14, drawing more than 200 participants from 35 organizations, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and the Missile Defense Agency. The four-day event focused on aligning efforts to deliver an integrated air and missile defense network for Guam.
Among the summit’s key outcomes were updates to the overall defense architecture based on U.S. Indo-Pacific Command guidance, as well as the identification of potential radar system sites. Leaders also discussed options for an operational sponsor to provide regular feedback on the development of the Joint Integrated Battle Manager, a system intended to connect multiple service platforms into a unified defense network.
A new “operational overlay” was introduced at the summit, offering military planners a clearer view of how capabilities will be layered and expanded over time. Looking ahead, officials said they will conduct a sustainment table-top exercise in the coming months, culminating in a large-scale rehearsal of concept drill expected next spring. That event will involve multiple services and four-star-level commands.
“GDS Summit 25-2 demonstrated a unified commitment to the defense of Guam and bolstering regional security,” said Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Jr., JPEO of the GDS Joint Program Office. “Our collaborative approach, leveraging the strengths of each service and agency, is essential to delivering a comprehensive and effective capability.”
The Guam Defense System is envisioned as a layered shield incorporating weapon system capabilities across multiple services. Officials say such a system is critical to protecting U.S. military installations on Guam, including Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam, while maintaining stability in a region marked by rising strategic competition.
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