Location: Agana (Hagåtña), Guam

Client:  Guam Airport Authority

Johnson Fain’s master plan for Naval Air Station (NAS) Agana, represents the combination of two planning processes: 

  1. planning for the Base Re-Use and Closure (BRAC) of Naval Air Station (NAS) Agana from its Navy role, and
  2. the creation of the Guam International Airport Master Plan for the Guam Airport Authority (GAA), allowing the GAA to take over the operation of the former Naval Air Station for commercial use.

Located in the geographic center of Guam and directly adjacent to the capital city of Agana, the base closure represented an unprecedented opportunity for improving the economy and quality of life on Guam. Since 1946, the Naval Air Station had been the site of Guam’s civilian airport under a Joint Use Agreement in addition to its Navy role.  Beginning in 1967 with the construction of its first international airport terminal building, the civilian use of the airfield has grown commensurate with its central role in the Guam economy. With closure of the base and the transfer of Naval air activity to Andersen Air Force Base in northern Guam, the entire airfield became available to fulfill Guam’s future air service needs, with remaining base facilities presenting opportunities to support many other segments of Guam’s economy.

Base Re-Use Plan:  The Base Re-Use Plan established the disposition of the 1,827 acres of NAS Agana declared excess by the Navy, with 1,471 acres deeded to the control of the Guam Airport Authority for the new Guam International Airport and 268 acres returned to the Territory of Guam for public use.  Public land is being used for government offices and similar functions during the on-going clean-up process by the Navy to prepare the land for its ultimate turnover. Upon completion of this process, the plan envisions a new community with aviation-related industries, education, shopping and housing expanding the traditional range of services available locally.

Airport Master Plan:  The Guam International Airport Master Plan envisions a growing role for aviation and aviation-related industries in support of a diversification of Guam’s economic base. Re-use of existing hangars and buildings is planned for 1) new maintenance base facilities for airlines, 2) a maintenance and repair training academy for new aircraft engine, airframe and navaids (navigational data systems), 3) a new pilot training school, and 4) expanded general aviation facilities for tourist-recreational flying services, plus aerial services such as photography and search-and-rescue. Primary accomplishments of the plan include:

  • Provides an updated Airport Layout Plan (ALP)
  • Prepares the airport to extend its dual runways to 11,000 and 12,000 feet, respectively, so that the longest possible stage-lengths and heaviest possible payloads may be handled at Guam for Trans-Pacific trade routes
  • Incorporates new taxiways and terminal apron improvements to accommodate the projected growth in tourism and business travel to between 4.3 and 5.0 million annual passenger enplanements in the coming two decades
  • Expands facilities for commuter flights from nearby islands, with direct links to the international airline gates
  • Provides further expansion space for the 21st Century, particularly for additional passenger terminal and cargo handling operations