The Singapore Air Force’s Fighter Training Detachment at Andersen Air Force Base won’t be the only foreign group training on the island from next year.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Richard Marles, Australia’s Minister of Defense (who is also Deputy Prime Minister), at the Defense Innovation Unit Headquarters in California on Dec. 1 as part of the AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting, which the U.K.’s Secretary of Defence also attended, according to a Dec. 1 release from the U.S. DoD.
As part of “an enhanced defense and security partnership” between the three countries, and “increased Royal Australian Navy education and training … Australian sailors will commence duty in Guam in early 2024 … .” The training is ahead of the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force-West in Australia “as early as 2027” and will offer the Australians training on nuclear powered submarines on-island.
Guam’s Submarine Squadron 15 has four Los Angeles class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines — the USS Springfield, the USS Ashville, the USS Jefferson City, and the USS Annapolis. A fifth submarine, the USS Key West left Guam in January, headed for the U.S. mainland and de-commissioning.
The island also has two submarine tenders - the USS Frank Cable and the USS Emory Land.
Australia has defense ties to the U.S. that include participation in various training exercises in Guam and a U.S. Marine rotational force at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Darwin in the Northern Territory. mbj
G’day — Guam to welcome Aussie sailors to train
Recommended Articles...

Guam government, DoD leaders discuss $5B military projects and impacts
Guam’s governor and military officials discussed foreign labor and other issues connected to the more than $5 billion in construction projects in Guam expected over the next three to five years.
Read More 
Naval Base Guam relaunches Trusted Traveler access; Next‑Gen USID cards mandatory in 2026
Naval Base Guam announced that its revised base access procedures, referred to as the Trusted Traveler Program, will resume starting July 7.
Read More 
Guam welcomes new ventures in beauty, financial services, and food
In June, several businesses expanded or opened their doors across several industries that include retail beauty, fiduciary wealth management, advertising, and dining.
Read More 
Rule of the road: Don’t drink and drive
As Guam moves into the second half of 2025, local law enforcement officials shared efforts to prevent traffic-related deaths due to impaired driving. The strategy blends high-visibility DUI checkpoints, public education, and federally-funded training programs.
Read More