AGP Executive Report

Guam Defense & Tech: The U.S. Army says it deployed the Dark Eagle long-range hypersonic missile system on Guam during Valiant Shield 2026, with PACOM photos placing Adm. Samuel Paparo observing training on the island—raising the stakes for regional strike reach. Local Governance: AG Douglas Moylan says the next Guam governor will decide where to build the new Mangilao hospital, arguing the current site choice lacked legislative approval. STEM Education: UOG’s NSF EPSCoR E-RISE Summer Math Research Experience welcomed Guam Community College participants for the first time, while UOG engineering student Amber Josfin Pineda earned a competitive Purdue summer research spot focused on built-environment decarbonization. Workforce Pipeline: Guam Community College and the Department of Labor expanded hospitality career pathways through the Hotel Associate Youth Apprenticeship Program. Public Safety: A 24-year-old man was charged in Guam for allegedly spying on a 10-year-old girl in a bathroom. Policy & Economy: Guam’s first recreational cannabis cultivation license was issued, and lawmakers are also weighing a FY2027 budget special session tied to Super Typhoon Bavi recovery and airport needs. Maritime Security: The Coast Guard shifted Sentinel-class cutters from the Middle East to the western Pacific, explicitly including missions supporting Guam and nearby islands. Environment: New concerns are surfacing over radioactive risks from deep-sea mining near American Samoa, with researchers warning about naturally occurring radioactivity in targeted nodules.

Guam Defense Tech: The U.S. Army says it deployed the Dark Eagle long-range hypersonic missile system on Guam during June training tied to Valiant Shield, with PACOM commander Adm. Samuel Paparo shown inspecting the weapon in photos taken on-island—raising the stakes for regional strike reach. Local Governance & Resilience: Guam lawmakers are preparing for a special session starting Thursday to approve $42.4 million for Super Typhoon Bavi recovery, childcare subsidies, aviation fuel tax remittances, and airport safety needs. STEM & Research Pipeline: UOG’s NSF EPSCoR E-RISE Summer Math Research Experience added Guam Community College participants for the first time, while a UOG engineering student earned a competitive Purdue summer research spot focused on built-environment decarbonization. Public Health & Workforce Skills: A new Hotel Associate Youth Apprenticeship Program pairs high school students with hotel career tracks through GCC and the Department of Labor, and Guam is expanding access to doula care to improve maternal and infant outcomes. Environment & Risk: Fresh concerns are resurfacing over radioactive risks from proposed deep-sea mining near American Samoa, with researchers warning mining could release naturally occurring radiation during operations. Policy Watch: A Guam budget rider could weaken procurement protections by removing an automatic stay tied to Simon Sanchez High School contract protests, potentially clearing the way for a $524M award.

Guam Workforce & Education: UOG’s NSF EPSCoR Summer Math Research Experience welcomed its first Guam Community College participants, expanding hands-on undergraduate research mentoring. Local Skills Pipeline: Guam Community College and GDOL’s Hotel Associate Youth Apprenticeship Program pushes hospitality training into high school with dual-credit pathways. Public Health Access: A new push for doula care on Guam aims to improve maternal and infant outcomes by adding non-medical support during pregnancy and birth. Defense Tech on Guam: The U.S. Army says it deployed the Dark Eagle long-range hypersonic missile on Guam during Valiant Shield 2026, raising questions about operational reach and regional security. Military Readiness: Guam and Washington National Guard troops tested a C-130 landing on a WWII-era airstrip in Palau as a backup operating concept. Policy & Regulation: Guam’s first recreational cannabis cultivation license was issued, signaling the start of regulated adult-use growing under the 2019 Guam Cannabis Industry Act. Environment & Risk: New reporting warns deep-sea mining near American Samoa could release naturally occurring radioactivity, adding fresh pressure as leases move forward. Governance: Lawmakers set up a Guam special session to consider $42.4M for Super Typhoon Bavi recovery, childcare, aviation fuel remittances, and airport safety needs.

Hypersonic Strike on Guam: The U.S. Army says it deployed the Dark Eagle long-range hypersonic missile on Guam during June’s Valiant Shield, with PACOM commander Adm. Samuel Paparo shown inspecting training photos—raising questions about how close the system puts parts of China within reach. Local STEM Pipeline: UOG’s NSF EPSCoR Summer Math Research Experience welcomed Guam Community College students for the first time, pairing undergrads with UOG faculty on real research projects. Workforce Training: Guam Community College and the Department of Labor launched the Hotel Associate Youth Apprenticeship Program to start hospitality career tracks in high school with dual-credit options. Defense Testing on Guam: Marines test-fired a Medium-Range Intercept Capability air defense system during Valiant Shield, aiming to fill gaps between short-range and Patriot-class coverage. Public Health Access: A new push expands doula care availability on Guam, targeting better maternal and infant outcomes. Regulatory/Tech Policy: Starlink updated Roam rules, grouping Guam with North America for broader travel coverage. Cannabis Market Opens: Guam issued its first recreational cultivation license, officially kicking off the adult-use commercial grower phase.

Defense & Deterrence: Reports suggest the U.S. Army may have trained on the Dark Eagle hypersonic system on Guam ahead of Valiant Shield 2026, though the location isn’t officially confirmed. Air Defense Testing: Marines test-fired the Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) during Valiant Shield, aiming to plug the gap between short-range defenses and Patriot-class systems. Base Infrastructure: The U.S. Air Force plans to pour 20 acres of concrete at Andersen AFB but is still not building shelters, a move tied to faster, more flexible “agile combat employment.” Local Tech & STEM: University of Guam engineering student Amber Josfin Pineda won a competitive Purdue summer research spot on built-environment decarbonization using AI, digital twins, and IoT sensing. Education & Procurement: A Guam budget rider by Sen. William Parkinson could remove an “automatic stay” protection in protests tied to a $524M Simon Sanchez High School redevelopment contract. Health Access: Guam’s doula care push expands non-medical support for pregnancy and childbirth, targeting high-risk maternal and infant outcomes. Policy & Industry: Guam issued its first recreational cannabis cultivation license, signaling the start of a regulated adult-use market. Maritime & Security Watch: Coast Guard cutters shifted from the Middle East to the Pacific, with missions explicitly including Guam and nearby islands. Environment & Risk: A new deep-sea mining report warns radioactivity tied to seabed nodules is a major blind spot in current mining rules.

UOG STEM & Research: University of Guam civil engineering sophomore Amber Josfin Pineda was selected for Purdue’s 2026 Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates, a 10-week built-environment decarbonization program using AI, digital twins, and IoT sensing. Local Education Advocacy: Simon Sanchez students plan to resume a protest wave after typhoon delays, pushing for action on stalled rebuilds and procurement disputes. Maternal Health Access: Guam’s doula care is becoming more accessible, with the support framed as non-medical, lower-cost help that can improve pregnancy and birth outcomes. Defense & Infrastructure: The U.S. Air Force is pouring 20 acres of concrete at Andersen AFB to expand apron parking, while questions remain about sheltering for high-value aircraft. Public Safety & Policy: Guam issued its first recreational cannabis cultivation license, and a rider in the FY27 budget could clear the path for a $524M Core Tech contract tied to Simon Sanchez High School. Air Defense Test: Marines test-fired a Medium-Range Intercept Capability system during Valiant Shield, targeting drones and incoming threats. Regional Security: A Marine Corps missile interceptor test and broader Indo-Pacific military activity continue to shape Guam’s tech-and-defense agenda.

Earthquake Impact: A 5.5-magnitude quake hit Peru’s Andes, killing at least six, injuring 30+ and displacing 300 as damaged adobe buildings—including a church and convent—raise concerns about missing people. Pacific Coast Guard Shift: The Coast Guard moved six Sentinel-class fast-response cutters from the Middle East to the western Pacific, operating out of Singapore and Subic Bay to bolster maritime presence around Guam and the South China Sea. Seabed Mapping & Security: Two Chinese research vessels transited U.S. waters near Alaska, with U.S. cutters escorting them; the ships’ survey capability could support high-precision seabed mapping with potential military uses. Deep-Sea Mining Radioactivity: A new report warns seabed mining rules are missing a key risk—radioactivity from polymetallic nodules—citing radium-226 and radon concerns and calling it a scientific blind spot. Guam Tech & Community: Volunteers trained to identify and safely remove invasive brown tree snakes, then captured about 20 during a nighttime hunt. Guam Workforce & STEM: UOG engineering student Amber Josfin Pineda earned a competitive Purdue REU on built-environment decarbonization, while NUWC Keyport honored a STEM outreach leader for reaching 1,195 students. Regional Defense Readiness: Guam and Washington National Guard troops tested a Palau runway as a backup option during Alupang ACE under Valiant Shield 2026.

Taiwan–US Military Readiness: A key concern in a potential Taiwan crisis is that US and Taiwanese forces haven’t trained together for decades and lack a combined command structure, leaving a “deconflicted” blind spot. Workforce & Education: A Guam-focused piece argues that building the island’s future means stronger collaboration across generations, pairing Gen Z digital fluency with older generations’ experience. Guam–Pacific Defense Logistics: Guam and Washington National Guard troops tested a C-130 landing on a WWII-era Palau airstrip as a backup option during Exercise Alupang ACE under Valiant Shield 2026. STEM in the Region: UOG engineering student Amber Josfin Pineda won a competitive Purdue REU to study built-environment decarbonization, while NUWC Keyport honored Isabel Hinkle for STEM education and outreach. Local Tech & Industry: SSFM International promoted Scott Hayashi to chief operating officer, overseeing day-to-day operations across its Pacific footprint. Environment & Community Action: Guam volunteers trained to identify and safely remove invasive brown tree snakes, then joined a nighttime hunt that captured about 20. Policy Watch: The House advanced a bill to make daylight saving time permanent, with Guam noted as already exempt. Disaster Response: DOD personnel continue typhoon recovery support across Guam and the Northern Marianas after Super Typhoon Bavi.

Guam Recovery & Coast Guard Ops: After Super Typhoon Bavi, DOD support peaked at about 1,500 personnel across Guam and the Northern Marianas, while USCGC Myrtle Hazard’s crew continued relief runs and sonar work around Rota. STEM in Guam: UOG civil engineering sophomore Amber Josfin Pineda won a competitive Purdue REU to study built-environment decarbonization; NUWC Keyport honored STEM outreach leader Isabel Hinkle with a command award. Local Tech & Research Talent: UOG archaeologist Michael Carson helped National Geographic’s Pacific voyaging documentary correct a Guam/Micronesia gap. Marine Science & Invasives: Volunteers trained to spot and safely remove brown tree snakes captured about 20 during a nighttime hunt. Guam Policy & Environment: Guam extended public comments on the Coastal Fisheries Management Plan to July 21, amid debate over a possible nighttime spearfishing moratorium. Defense Tech & Logistics: Guam’s logistics capacity needs boosting for Indo-Pacific contingencies, and Starlink updated Roam rules to treat Guam as part of a North America region. Regional Security: Peace groups urged Pacific leaders to oppose missile tests and war games as RIMPAC ramps up.

Disaster Readiness & Resilience: Super Typhoon Bavi spared Guam a direct hit but kept the Ring of Fire lesson front and center, while DOD support for recovery in Guam and the Northern Marianas continues and the Coast Guard’s Myrtle Hazard shifted from relief runs to port and sonar assessments. STEM & Research Pathways: UOG civil engineering sophomore Amber Josfin Pineda earned a top Purdue REU spot to study built-environment decarbonization, and UOG engineering and community leaders also drew attention through Purdue and SAME-related visits. Autonomous Systems & Defense Tech: Boeing advanced MQ-25A Stingray carrier-tanker testing, while Guam’s military engineering readiness was highlighted by RED HORSE training in South Korea and Guam Air National Guard engineers supporting Kunsan. Local Tech for the Environment: Guam volunteers trained to identify and remove invasive brown tree snakes after dark, and Guam’s Coastal Fisheries Management Plan comment window was extended as rules—especially around nighttime spearfishing—face enforcement questions. Connectivity: Starlink updated Roam rules by grouping countries into shared regions, expanding coverage for Guam and nearby U.S. territories. Marine & Ocean Policy: Pacific communities and leaders renewed opposition to deep-sea mining, and Guam logistics capacity and fisheries management remain key tech-and-infrastructure themes.

Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: Pacific territories and Indigenous leaders say the Trump administration is forcing deep-sea mining forward despite local moratoriums and petitions, including Guam and CNMI opposition. Typhoon Recovery Support: After Super Typhoon Bavi, DOD personnel are still backing Guam and the Northern Marianas, with Coast Guard and Navy teams restoring navigation and port access. Guam Fisheries Rulemaking: Guam’s Department of Agriculture extended public comments on the draft Coastal Fisheries Management Plan to July 21, as enforcement concerns complicate proposals around nighttime spearfishing. Starlink Roam Update: Starlink expanded “Roam” regions so Canada and the U.S. (plus Guam and other territories) count as one area, with travel registration required for international use. STEM Recognition: NUWC Keyport honored computer scientist Isabel Hinkle with a Command Award for STEM education and outreach reaching about 1,195 students and 27 teachers. Defense & Industry: HD Hyundai and Kiewit Offshore announced a strategic partnership aimed at boosting U.S. shipbuilding capacity, while the Coast Guard named a new commander for USCGC Myrtle Hazard. Local Tech/Training: Guam Air National Guard engineers completed a deployment supporting infrastructure upgrades at Kunsan Air Base, and UOG students won travel scholarships for an immersive program in South Korea.

Coast Guard Command Change: Lt. Drew Lovullo took over USCGC Myrtle Hazard in Guam, with the cutter recently delivering ~20,000 pounds of typhoon relief across the CNMI and supporting navigation aid work and port reopening assessments after Super Typhoon Bavi. Invasive Species Action: About 60 Guam volunteers trained to spot and safely remove brown tree snakes, then captured roughly 20 during a nighttime hunt—another push to protect native birds and reptiles. Military Engineering in the Pacific: Ten Guam Air National Guard engineers from the 254th RED HORSE Squadron completed a two-week South Korea deployment at Kunsan Air Base, accelerating infrastructure repairs and renovations. STEM & Learning Abroad: University of Guam students received travel scholarships to join an immersive Seoul program at Seo Kyeong University, while UOG-linked participants shared experiences from the EV Nautilus expedition. Local Fisheries Policy: Guam’s Department of Agriculture extended public comments on the draft Coastal Fisheries Management Plan by 60 days to July 21, with attention on proposed limits around nighttime spearfishing. Deep Sea Mining Pushback: The Trump administration advanced a proposed deep sea mining lease sale near American Samoa despite Pacific Indigenous opposition, adding pressure to Guam and nearby waters. Radiation Compensation (Guam): Guam Del. James Moylan announced a new push to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand eligibility for atomic veterans, including cleanup sites.

Guam Policy & Taxes: Guam’s Business Privilege Tax rollback is getting harder as past administrations locked in higher recurring costs and normalized budgets around the higher rate, making a return from 4.5% to 4% a structural fight rather than an economic inevitability. Coastal Fisheries: The Guam Department of Agriculture extended public comments on the draft Guam Coastal Fisheries Management Plan by 60 days, with a key flashpoint being enforcement challenges around separating legal daytime from nighttime spearfishing. Military & Local Budget: Sen. William Parkinson is pushing a higher BPT (to 6%) on major military contractors while construction spending climbs, drawing pushback from local business voices over who really pays and how much it reaches. Education Capacity: Business and Technology Academy Charter School’s middle school expansion was approved, but it likely won’t open this school year unless its enrollment cap increases in the next budget. Wildlife Restoration: Scientists are working to restore Guam kingfishers after invasive brown tree snakes devastated the species, including the release of four new chicks. Aviation & Travel: DOT is weighing bids for Lanai’s federally subsidized essential air service, a reminder of how fragile rural connectivity can be. Regional Tech/Science: Australia’s Geoscience Australia is running a seabed mapping voyage to improve marine data quality along the east coast, retracing a route previously mapped from Guam. Disaster & Recovery: Guam’s Legislature is set for urgent funding discussions tied to Super Typhoon Bavi response, childcare subsidies, and airport obligations, while a Sånta Rita-Sumai landslide displaced two households.

Super Typhoon Bavi Aftermath: The storm has killed at least 26 people in the Philippines, with more than a million affected as landslides and flooding hit fragile communities. Guam Recovery Funding: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero called a special session to move $31.3M for Bavi response, childcare subsidies, and airport obligations, with lawmakers recessing to Friday. Guam Radiation Compensation (RECRA/RECRA): Rep. James Moylan says Guam’s atomic veterans and cancer survivors get another shot at federal eligibility under a new Radiation Exposure Reauthorization Act bill, including expanded sites and easier sworn-affidavit claims. Pacific Defense Training: The 13th Fighter Squadron integrated FENIX simulators into Valiant Shield 26, linking Guam into a shared live-virtual training battlespace. Navy Submarine Move: USS Jefferson City completed its homeport change from Naval Base Guam to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to meet maintenance needs. Daylight Saving Push: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to end clock changes nationwide, sending it to the Senate—an issue that also touches Guam’s broader timekeeping context. Starlink Roam Limits: SpaceX is restricting international use on cheaper Roam tiers, pushing travelers toward Roam Unlimited for outside-home-country service. Local Tech & Business: Square-backed Honolulu Cookie Company is expanding to 14 locations across Oahu, Maui, Las Vegas, and Guam.

Pacific Security: China’s rare submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the South Pacific drew condemnation from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the U.S., with new Taiwanese claims saying the missile was fired from a surfaced submarine—raising questions about underwater launch know-how. Local Governance & Resilience: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero called a special Guam Legislature session for “urgent funding” totaling $31.3M for Super Typhoon Bavi response, childcare subsidies, and airport obligations, while lawmakers recessed to Friday. Guam Tech & Education: The University of Guam won a Platinum Award for citizen-centric reporting for FY2024, marking a second straight year of top transparency honors. Cyber Safety: Guam Homeland Security and the Mariana Regional Fusion Center warned residents about scam social posts and phishing emails using local photos, urging people not to click or share links. Energy & Industry: Customized Energy Solutions launched its CoMETS self-service platform for investment-grade battery and renewable energy market modeling. Everyday Tech Policy: The U.S. House advanced the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, sending it to the Senate—an issue that could affect Guam’s broader U.S. timekeeping context.

Pacific Undersea & Naval Readiness: The U.S. Navy moved the fast-attack submarine USS Jefferson City from Naval Base Guam to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, shifting maintenance capacity needs to Hawaii while keeping Guam’s role in the undersea picture. Local Military Engineering: Guam Guard RED HORSE troops teamed with Washington Guard to renovate a fitness center at Camp Murray, building hands-on expeditionary engineering skills. Regional Drills on Guam: Valiant Shield 2026 is running across Guam and the region, with Guam National Guard support in logistics, medical, and communications, including operations tied to Agile Combat Employment. China Missile Signaling: China conducted a rare submarine-launched ballistic missile test into the Pacific, drawing condemnation from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the U.S. Climate & Wildlife Pressure: New research warns migratory shorebirds could lose half their coastal wetland habitat by 2050, while Brazil’s mangrove-linked feeding grounds face rising risk. Guam Resilience Updates: A Sånta Rita-Sumai landslide displaced two families and damaged homes, with FEMA help being pursued. Scam Alerts: Guam Homeland Security and the fusion center warned of phishing and social media scams using local photos tied to fake “tax-free grant” offers. UOG & Soil Science: UOG earned a second straight Platinum award for citizen-centric reporting, and UOG’s Land Grant opened soil sampling workshops to help farmers avoid costly sampling mistakes.