Residents of Guam are confronting a range of environmental and cultural challenges tied to the long-standing U.S. military presence on the island. One of the most pressing issues is water contamination from the pesticide dieldrin, which has been detected in local water supplies since at least 2008. Leevin Camacho, a resident of Yigo, discovered high levels of dieldrin in his community’s water after his mother raised concerns about contamination. The U.S. Air Force base near the well has reported "very high levels" of the pesticide, which the military has identified as a "chemical of concern" since 1993. The Pentagon is investigating the source of the pollution, though local officials suggest the contamination may have multiple causes due to the pesticide's long history of use. The U.S. military’s presence on Guam has led to significant environmental degradation, including unexploded ordnance scattered across jungles and lagoons, PCBs contaminating local fish, and pollutants affecting groundwater. Since the island came under U.S. control in 1898, over a century of military activity has transformed the landscape and ecosystem. Rear Admiral Brett Mietus, head of Joint Region Marianas, emphasized the military’s commitment to following environmental regulations while defending the island from advanced missile threats. Guam is at the heart of a major military expansion that is reshaping the island and extending across the Pacific. Indigenous leaders on nearby islands like Yap and Palau are resisting plans to expand military infrastructure, while the Pentagon’s growth is also contributing to climate change impacts in the region. As the world’s largest institutional emitter of greenhouse gases, the Pentagon's expansion is expected to worsen the climate crisis affecting Pacific islands, which are already vulnerable to rising seas and extreme weather. The military often cites growing geopolitical tensions as a reason for its buildup, with Navy Admiral Sam Paparo warning of increased risks in the Indo-Pacific region. In July 2026, a ballistic missile launched from a Chinese submarine flew near Guam, underscoring the island’s strategic importance and highlighting the dual role of the U.S. military presence—as both a source of protection and a potential vulnerability. Residents like Camacho are dealing with the consequences of militarization, including water contamination and the loss of cultural heritage. Camacho, who once saw the U.S. as a liberator from Japanese rule, now views the military's actions as contrary to the interests of Guam's people. His efforts to raise awareness and protect ancestral sites have had some success, such as persuading the Navy not to expand its land holdings and reducing the planned transfer of Marines from Okinawa. The military’s expansion has brought economic benefits, with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero welcoming the financial investment from military operations. However, concerns remain about the environmental and cultural costs of the buildup, with some residents feeling like pawns in the larger contest between global powers. The situation in Yigo exemplifies the complex interplay of environmental, cultural, and geopolitical forces shaping life on Guam.