United States | Holidays in the unPacific

Guam, where America’s next war may begin

The tourist island and vital military outpost is surprisingly vulnerable

This August 17, 2016 US Air Force handout photo shows L-R a B-52 Stratofortress, a B-2 Spirit and a B-1 Lancer flying over Guam after launching from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for an integrated bomber operation. - This mission marks the first time in history that all three of Air Force Global Strike Command's strategic bomber aircraft are simultaneously conducting integrated operations in the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations. (Photo by Joshua SMOOT / US AIR FORCE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / US AIR FORCE / SA JOSHUA SMOOT" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS — Image: AFP

Apr 2nd 2023|Andersen Air Force Base

LIKE MANY of America’s bases in the Pacific, Guam mixes hedonism with war jitters. Japanese and South Korean visitors revel on the sand of Tumon Bay, a coral-reef lagoon. Above, F-15 fighters and B-1 bombers bank to land at Andersen Air Force Base nearby. Below, nuclear attack submarines slip in and out of Apra Harbour. The marines are building a base up the road. Around lie reminders of the Pacific war between America and Japan. The last Japanese soldier surrendered in 1972.

This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Where America’s next war begins?”