WASHINGTON, March 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Marines now based in Okinawa would be stationed there and at bases in Guam and Australia as part of a realignment plan, sources told a Japanese newspaper.
The Yomiuri Shimbun, citing anonymous sources close to the U.S. and Japanese governments, said the plan is part of an effort to spread the Marines across the Western Pacific.
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force -- comprising a command center, ground combat units, air combat units and logistic support units -- would be spread among Okinawa, Guam and Darwin, Australia.
The plan calls for moving 4,700 Marines from Okinawa to Guam while about 2,500 Marines would be rotated through Darwin, the Yomiuri Shimbun and a base agreement with the Australian government indicated, Stars and Stripes reported.
About 10,000 Marines would remain on Okinawa.
The plan reflects the U.S. goal of boosting deterrence by expanding bases near the ocean around China, which its strengthening its maritime capabilities, including the East China Sea and the South China Sea, the reports said.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported Japanese government officials praised the plan.
"Deterrent power throughout the entire western Pacific will be stronger," a senior Defense Ministry official said.
