Naval Base Guam

Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Apra Harbor, Guam (U.S. Territory)
Installation Type: Naval Base
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Base Guam is located at Apra Harbor on the western coast of Guam, the westernmost territory of the United States in the Pacific Ocean. Guam is located approximately 1,500 miles east of the Philippines, 1,500 miles south of Japan, and 3,800 miles west of Hawaii. Naval Base Guam encompasses Naval Station Guam and the adjacent Apra Harbor, which serves as a critical strategic hub for U.S. Pacific Fleet operations, forward presence, and deterrence in the western Pacific. The base homeports attack submarines, surface combatants, and provides logistics support for the Indo-Pacific theater. Guam is a U.S. territory, so no passport is required for U.S. citizens to travel to or from the island.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide forward homeport for Pacific Fleet attack submarines and surface combatants; serve as a strategic logistics hub for Indo-Pacific operations; support Commander, Naval Forces Marianas (COMNAVMAR) and joint operations in the western Pacific.
Major Units: Commander, Naval Forces Marianas (COMNAVMAR); Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 (SUBRON 15, Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class SSNs); Surface combatants (various homeported ships); Naval Munitions Command, Pacific
Tenant Units: Anderson Air Force Base (USAF, F-22/B-52, 36th Wing, on the north part of the island, separate installation); Joint Region Marianas (JRM); Guam Air National Guard; Marine Corps Activity Guam

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Hagatna (Agana), Guam (population approximately 1,300, capital city) – approximately 5 km north; Dededo (population approximately 45,000, largest village) – approximately 15 km north; Manila, Philippines – approximately 2,400 km west; Tokyo, Japan – approximately 2,500 km north; Honolulu, HI – approximately 6,000 km east
Nearest Commercial Airport: A.B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) in Tamuning – approximately 8 km north of Apra Harbor; international flights to Japan, Korea, and Honolulu
Gate Access: Main gate off Marine Corps Drive; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; Apra Harbor pier access controlled for ship security; Guam is a U.S. territory but has its own customs/agricultural inspection at the airport

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,500
Family Members: Approximately 10,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 20,000 (Guam total DoD population including all services approximately 13,000 active duty)

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Hospital Guam (NHG) – full-service hospital; inpatient and outpatient care; emergency services; comprehensive specialties; Level 2 Trauma Center; serves all military branches on Guam; for highly complex cases, medevac to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii or mainland CONUS
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; important given Guam’s remote location and high import costs for food
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities; larger NEX serving the Guam military community
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; beach access (warm Pacific Ocean year-round); golf course; bowling; auto skills; Guam has excellent diving, snorkeling, and water sports; beautiful tropical beaches; unique Chamorro culture
Schools: Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Guam includes: M.U. Lujan Elementary, McCool Elementary, Commander David Flieger Elementary, Andersen Middle School (at Anderson AFB for grades 6-8), Guam High School (at Anderson AFB, grades 9-12); DoDEA serves all military children; Guam High School has a strong tradition
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible; register early; Guam has limited private childcare
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care; strict biosecurity rules for Guam to protect the island from invasive species; pets require USDA health certificate and Guam agriculture inspection
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, Naval Base Guam; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Navy Housing on base; family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base housing is highly preferred given the island’s limited and expensive private rental market
Average Wait Time: Can be 60-120+ days; limited off-base housing options on the island
Off-Post Housing: Guam’s residential communities (Dededo, Yigo, Mangilao, Barrigada) offer some off-base housing; OHA applies; Guam housing market is limited and can be expensive for U.S.-standard family homes; economy housing is common for some military families; air conditioning is essential in Guam’s climate
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Guam OHA reflects Western Pacific island costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining command; COMNAVMAR and submarine squadron sponsorship programs; Guam PCS requires advance planning for pet import, vehicle shipping, and island living preparation
In-Processing: Naval Base Guam in-processing; typically 2-3 days; Guam-specific biosecurity briefings; tropical medicine briefings; vehicle registration
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening mandatory before Guam orders given the island’s medical limitations; Naval Hospital Guam provides most care; complex specialist cases require medevac to Hawaii or CONUS; EFMP approval may be more difficult for complex medical needs

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Tropical maritime; warm year-round (average high 86F/30C throughout the year); high humidity; dry season January-June; wet season (typhoon season) July-December; typhoon risk is real and significant; trade winds help moderate temperatures; ocean access year-round
Cost of Living: High; Guam is remote and imports most goods; food, gasoline, and manufactured goods are more expensive than CONUS; OHA and COLA adjustments help; tropical lifestyle and no cold winter costs are benefits; no state income tax (U.S. territory has its own tax system but military members typically file with their home state)
Nearby Attractions: Guam’s beaches (Two Lovers Point, Tumon Bay resort area, Gun Beach, Ritidian Point national wildlife refuge); snorkeling and scuba diving in exceptionally clear Pacific waters; WWII historical sites (Liberation Day, Pacific War Museum, battle sites); Chamorro Cultural Village and Village Fiestas; duty-free shopping in Tumon; day trips to Rota, Saipan (CNMI), and Tinian by small aircraft; Japan (2.5 hours by air) and Philippines (3 hours) for international travel; Palau (1.5 hours) for world-class diving
Spouse Employment: On-base employment through NAF, AAFES/NEX, commissary, DoDEA, and Naval Hospital Guam; off-base employment opportunities limited; Guam’s economy is based on tourism and the military; some opportunities in Guam’s tourism sector; remote work with U.S. employers; time zone difference (Guam is UTC+10) makes coordination with U.S. employers challenging; FFSC assists

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA: Guam is a U.S. territory – not a foreign country – so no SOFA applies in the traditional sense; U.S. law applies on Guam; Guam has its own government (Guam Legislature, Guam Department of Corrections, etc.) but federal law prevails; residents and military members are U.S. citizens or nationals
Host Nation Rules: Guam Organic Act governs the U.S. territory; Chamorro cultural values of respect (chenchule and inafa’maolek – reciprocity) are important; Guam is deeply proud of its military heritage (Liberation from Japanese occupation in WWII) and generally very welcoming of U.S. military; Guam’s unique Chamorro culture deserves respect and appreciation
Curfew: No SOFA curfew; local Guam curfew laws may apply for minors; unit-level liberty policies apply; service member conduct off-base is subject to UCMJ and Guam local laws
Ration Card / Customs: Standard U.S. rules apply; Guam has its own agricultural inspection at the airport to prevent invasive species – strict biosecurity rules; no alcohol or tobacco import restrictions beyond standard U.S. law
Vehicle Registration: Standard U.S. vehicle registration process with Guam Department of Motor Vehicles (GDM); left-hand traffic side (same as U.S. mainland); road quality variable; international driver’s licenses not required; Guam roads are right-hand drive U.S. standard
Language and Culture: Chamorro and English are official languages; English is the primary language of commerce and government; Chamorro language is taught in schools and is culturally important; Guam’s culture blends Chamorro, Spanish colonial, American, and Asian influences; Catholic faith is prominent (85% Catholic)
Currency and Banking: U.S. Dollar (USD); standard U.S. banking available; all major banks and credit unions operate on Guam; credit cards widely accepted
Travel Restrictions: No travel restrictions within U.S. territory; passport required for international travel (Japan, Philippines, Palau, Saipan/CNMI is a separate U.S. territory with no passport required); military travel notification policies may apply for international destinations
Mail: APO AP address assigned; APO mail for personal shipments; U.S. Postal Service (USPS) delivers to all on-base APO addresses; packages from CONUS can take longer than mainland delivery times; online shopping to APO AP addresses possible from most U.S. retailers
Pets: Guam has strict import requirements to protect against invasive brown tree snakes and agricultural pests; USDA-endorsed health certificate required; specific Guam import permit from Guam DAWR (Department of Agriculture); arrival inspection required; dogs and cats must be healthy and current on vaccinations; brown tree snake quarantine/inspection protocol is unique to Guam entry; begin process well in advance

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/jrm/installations/nbguam.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-base-guam; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalBase_Guam; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law