Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz
{{short description|US Marine Corps base in Dededo, Guam, United States}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz
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| location = Dededo
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| country = Guam
| image = View of the new Marine Corps Base in Guam (49271975661).jpg
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| caption = An aerial view of MCB Camp Blaz
| image2 = MCB Camp Blaz logo.jpg
| image2_size = 150px
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| type = Marine Corps base
| coordinates = {{coord|13.5698|144.8407|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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| pushpin_map = Guam
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Guam
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| pushpin_label = MCB Camp Blaz
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| ownership = Department of Defense
| operator = US Marine Corps
| controlledby = *Marine Corps Installations Pacific
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| used = 2020–present
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| condition = Operational
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| current_commander = Colonel Ernest Govea
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| website = {{Official website|https://www.mcbblaz.marines.mil/}}
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Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz is a U.S. Marine Corps facility located in the village of Dededo in northwest Guam.
History
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.{{cite web |first=Seth |last=Robson|title=Marines activate Camp Blaz on Guam, the Corps' first new base since 1952 |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/marines-activate-camp-blaz-on-guam-the-corps-first-new-base-since-1952-1.647005 |website=Stars and Stripes |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=September 30, 2020}} The base will house Marines relocated from installations in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, with the final relocation planned for 2025.{{cite web |last1=Kaur |first1=Anumita |title=DOD spent $365M for Guam military buildup last fiscal year |url=https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2021/02/07/dod-spent-365-million-guam-military-buildup-last-fiscal-year/4424941001/ |website=Pacific Daily News |access-date=3 March 2021 |date=February 8, 2021}}
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.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.mcbblaz.marines.mil/History/ |website=MCB Camp Blaz |access-date=March 3, 2021}}
The base officially opened on January 25, 2023, with a ceremony on January 26. Approximately 5,000 Marines are projected to be stationed there.{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Alex |date=2022-12-10 |title='Solid progress': A look inside Camp Blaz, the Marine Corps' newest base on Guam |language=en |work=Stars and Stripes |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2022-12-09/camp-blaz-guam-marine-corps-base-8365774.html |access-date=2022-12-11}}{{cite web | url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/3277036/marine-corps-base-camp-blaz-holds-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-for-sabnan-fadang-mem/ | title=Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Sabånan Fadang Memorial }}
Base
Joint Region Marianas is the installation management authority for MCB Camp Blaz, as well as Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base.{{cite web |title=Joint Region Marianas and military installations to transition to HPCON B |url=https://guam.stripes.com/community-news/joint-region-marianas-and-military-installations-transition-hpcon-b |website=Stripes Guam |access-date=4 March 2021 |language=en |date=13 October 2020}}
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.
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.{{cite web |title=Military gives Camp Blaz construction projects update |url=https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2021/03/24/camp-blaz-construction-projects-update-military/6991703002/ |website=Pacific Daily News |access-date=25 March 2021 |date=25 March 2021}} The governor and Legislature of Guam have been engaged with the Guam Military Buildup.{{cite web |title=35th Guam Legislature tours construction sites of future Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz and visits cultural remnants |url=https://guam.stripes.com/community-news/35th-guam-legislature-tours-construction-sites-future-marine-corps-base-camp-blaz-and |website=Stars and Stripes |access-date=March 3, 2021 |language=en |date=October 17, 2019}}
See also
References
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External links
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- {{official website|1=https://www.mcbblaz.marines.mil/}}
{{US Marine Corps navbox}}
{{Guam}}
Category:Military installations of the United States in Guam
Category:21st-century establishments in Guam
Category:2020 establishments in the United States
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