ASTRO Recap – November
Hafa Adai from ASTRO! 👋
In this month’s issue:
- Benedición for Guam’s First Advanced Manufacturing Hub
- ASTRO in the News
- ASTRO in Action
- Coming Up
Featured from left are Alex Benham, GAMMA General Manager, ASTRO America; The Honorable V. Anthony “Tony” S. Ada, Vice Speaker, 38th Guam Legislature; The Honorable Joshua F. Tenorio, Lt. Governor of Guam; The Honorable Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam; Neal Orringer, President and Co-Founder, ASTRO America; The Honorable James C. Moylan, U.S. Congressman; Jason Gorey, Executive Director and Co-Founder, ASTRO America; and Christina Garcia, Chief Executive Officer/Administrator, Guam Economic Development Authority. Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
Benedición for Guam’s First Advanced Manufacturing Hub 🇬🇺
Earlier this month, ASTRO America celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking and Benedición on-island to mark the launch of the Guam Additive Materials and Manufacturing Accelerator (GAMMA) – Guam’s first advanced manufacturing hub.
This monumental moment represents years of collaboration among ASTRO America, the Government of Guam, BlueForge Alliance, and the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program
GAMMA will build and scale Guam’s on-island advanced manufacturing capabilities to produce mission-critical parts for the U.S. Navy and Department of War, while also supporting dual-use applications that strengthen long-term commercial infrastructure. By enabling rapid, local production, GAMMA will enhance fleet readiness and logistics across the Indo-Pacific, laying the groundwork for Navy-sponsored projects focused on real-world sustainment needs. The initiative will support the broader maritime industrial base and potentially expand into adjacent defense sectors like Air Force aircraft maintenance.
In addition to defense priorities, GAMMA will generate high-skilled jobs and deepen partnerships with the University of Guam, Guam Community College, and leading engineering institutions such as the Colorado School of Mines.
As we move toward phased operations in 2026, we’re excited to continue shaping the future of Indo-Pacific defense readiness and fueling Guam’s economic growth by expanding the island’s capacity for innovative capabilities.
Read the full press release here.
Check out this recap from the Office of the Governor of Guam:
ASTRO in the News 📰
Last month’s benedición made the press rounds from the Indo-Pacific to here on the mainland as GAMMA broke ceremonial ground with its 3D printing lab in Dededo.
Take a look at the array of coverage below:
Print:
TV:
“Today is the day Guam joins the ranks of all 50 states establishing a supplier of manufactured submarine parts for the United States Navy.”
Watch KUAM News’ coverage of the benedición and ceremonial “groundbreaking” of the GAMMA Applications Center, including an interview with ASTRO President and CEO Neal Orringer:
Podcasts/Radio:
To wrap up our November spotlight on Guam, ASTRO President Neal Orringer and GAMMA Director Alex Benham sat down with the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast to discuss how ASTRO’s building forward-deployed advanced manufacturing capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. Listen above or here. 🎙️
ASTRO in Action 🎤
ASTRO kicked off the month with a powerful series of engagements focused on advancing additive manufacturing and supply chain resilience in the Indo-Pacific.
From strategic meetings with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero to the Satellite Campus Kickoff at the University of Guam, closed-door sessions with the U.S. Navy, and culminating in the benedición of the GAMMA Applications Center, it was a historic and milestone-packed month for ASTRO on-island.
Check out some photo highlights below:
Colorado School of Mines, University of Guam (UOG), and ASTRO staff at the Satellite Campus Kickoff held at UOG
Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero speaks at an on-island meeting of key personnel. Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
Sample selection of large parts that can be 3D printed at the Gamma Applications Center (Example parts provided by Fastech and Nikon SLM). Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
ASTRO America’s GAMMA Showcase. Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
ASTRO America’s GAMMA Showcase. Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
ASTRO America’s Alex Benham, GAMMA General Manager, and Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam. Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
ASTRO President and CEO Neal Orringer speaks at the Benedición as GAMMA interns look on.
ASTRO President and CEO Neal Orringer presents Governor Lou Leon Guerrero with a commemorative award.
Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
Guam Lt. Governor Joshua F. Tenorio speaks at the Benedición.
Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Guam
ASTRO leadership is deeply grateful for the warm welcome we received on-island and for everyone who helped plan, execute, and promote the ceremonial groundbreaking and Benedición.
With that, the Guam Additive Materials and Manufacturing Accelerator (GAMMA) is officially launched. 🇬🇺⚙️
Stay tuned to ASTRO’s website and socials to stay up to date with GAMMA developments, as well as some exciting end-of-year updates to come.