In a recent visit to the area, Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite met with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.

Braithwaite spoke with Leon Guerrero Oct. 18, according to a news release from the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The closed-door meeting was at Adelup and lasted about an hour, according to Lt. Cmdr. Richard Moore, Joint Region Marianas spokesman.

Capt. Jereal Dorsey, special assistant for public affairs for the Secretary of the Navy, said Braithwaite thanked the government of Guam for supporting sailors of the USS Theodore Roosevelt during the ship’s COVID-19 outbreak.

Braithwaite also spoke about Guam’s importance to the Navy and Marine Corps for deterrence “in this era of great power competition.” He spoke about the Department of Defense placing more emphasis on the Pacific and increasing presence in the region and Camp Blaz’s importance, according to Dorsey.

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While on Guam, Braithwaite also visited Marines at the newly activated Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz. Camp Blaz will be home to about 5,000 Marines relocating from Okinawa, Japan.

Braithwaite also met with sailors and senior leaders on Naval Base Guam.

Braithwaite concluded his trip in the Republic of Palau, where he met with President Tommy Remengesau and his cabinet “to discuss the Department of the Navy’s presence and commitment to security and stability in the region, especially the Pacific Islands,” the Pacific Fleet news release stated.

This article originally appeared on Pacific Daily News: Secretary of the Navy thanks governor for USS Theodore Roosevelt support

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