People of Guam put faith in U. S. military
Threat ‘ pretty scary’ but unease measured
As North Korea threatened a ballistic missile strike on the U. S. territory of Guam, residents expressed concern-Wednesday.
“The threat is pretty scary,” said Graceful Fiden, 28, of Tumon, Guam. But, he said, “I believe in the military on Guam, together with the U. S.”
North Korea’s military said it is considering a missile launch aimed near the U. S. strategic military installations in Guam, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
Yonhap reported that the North’s strategic force in charge of the country’s ballistic missiles issued a statement that it is seriously reviewing measures to send a strong message that it can neutralize the U. S. military bases in Guam that house nuclear bombers and other key assets, with itsHwasong- 12 missiles.
The U. S. Air Force has said that members of the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed to Guam from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota are ready to “fight tonight” from Guam.
During a 10- hour mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on Monday, two B- 1s were joined by Japan Air Self- Defense Force F- 15s as well as Republic of Korea Air Force KF- 16 fighter jets.
“These flights with Japan and the Republic of Korea ( ROK) demonstrate solidarity between Japan, ROK and the U. S. to defend against provocative and destabilizing actions in the Pacific theater,” according to a release from the Air Force.
The Washington Post, citing a confidential Defense Intelligence Agency report, said North Korea has produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles.
In comments made Tuesday at the clubhouse of his golf course in Bedminster, N. J., President Trump warned North Korea that it “best not make any more threats to the United States.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “has been very threatening beyond a normal state, and as I said they will be met with fire and fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before,” Trump said.
The offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense issued a news release Wednesday morning saying they were working with military officials to “continue to monitor the recent events surrounding North Korean and their threatening actions.”
“As of this morning, we have not changed our stance in confidence that the U. S. Department of Defense is monitoring this situation very closely and is maintaining a condition of readiness, daily,” stated George Charfauros, Homeland Security adviser.
The release stated that there is no imminent threat to the safety of Guam’s 160,000 residents and visitors of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
One mother said she felt secure knowing four of her five sons are Army officers.
“I hear about ( the threat), but I’m not worried,” said Kathy Diaz, 56, of Maina. “Only because I have boys in the military. They said, ‘ Don’t worry Mom, if anything happens, we’ll let you know.’ I have faith in the military.”
Diaz said she has more trust in the military than the president.
“For some reason, I’m just having faith in God and what my boys tell me. You always have the head people, right? But you have the people below that work for us,” Diaz said. “Whatmy son has told me, between the ( U. S.) military that’s in Korea, and here on Guam and surrounding the Pacific, we should not worry.”
Astright Villagomez, 50, of Mangilao said the latest threat from North Korea is scary.
“I just hope the military can protect us,” she said. She said she has family members in the military.