In a bid to mitigate the increasing vulnerability of Guam, House China Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin, has called on the United States Army to provide critical information on safeguarding the strategic U.S. territory. Gallagher's concerns stem from the escalating military aggression by China, particularly its development of missiles capable of targeting Guam and other U.S. assets in the western Pacific.

In an exclusive letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Gallagher addressed Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, seeking vital details on protection measures for Guam. The territory is of crucial importance as it hosts Naval Base Guam, the Navy's sole submarine base in the western Pacific, and Anderson Air Force Base, a key airbase capable of accommodating U.S. strategic bombers and fighters.

Gallagher underlined the pivotal role played by Guam in defending American allies and interests in the region. With over 20,000 U.S. troops stationed on the island, its importance cannot be overstated. However, he expressed deep concerns about the island's vulnerability to China's advanced missile systems.

The Congressman highlighted China's decades-long development of short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, capable of directly targeting Guam, U.S. airfields in Japan, and U.S. aircraft carriers and warships stationed in the western Pacific. The People's Republic of China has also amassed a formidable arsenal of highly capable cruise missiles that can be launched from ships, submarines, and bombers. Gallagher pointed out significant gaps in the defense against these cruise missiles, particularly when it comes to protecting land-based assets like Guam.

The Chairman warned that these shortcomings put the critical role of Guam as a submarine port and base at risk, endangering operations in potential contingencies involving China. While acknowledging the U.S. Army's ground-based missile defense system designed to counter cruise missiles, Gallagher expressed concerns about the delays in its deployment. Supply chain issues have led to challenges in delivering launcher prototypes, raising questions about the impact on the scheduled fielding of the air defense system.

Seeking transparency, Gallagher urged the Army to provide detailed information on the delays and explore alternative options to bridge the current defense gap. He also inquired about the Army's plans to enhance land-based cruise missile defense capabilities in Guam and whether collaborative efforts with allies Japan and Australia were being considered.

The urgency to address these issues was underscored by Gallagher, who emphasized the critical need to fortify Guam's defenses against evolving threats in the region. With geopolitical tensions and military posturing continuing to shape strategic considerations in the Pacific, the Chairman's call for information highlights the importance of prioritizing the security of Guam and its vital role in the U.S. defense strategy.