The U.S. Navy command on Guam officially changed its name last week, a move that signals a changing mission as well, according to a military news release issued Friday.

Commander, Navy Region Marianas will now be called Commander, Joint Region Marianas, the release said. Under the new title, the Navy on Guam will be responsible for all Department of Defense installations on the island and throughout the Northern Mariana Islands.

This consolidation is part of the military’s overall plans for Guam.

The U.S. and Japan plan to move 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families to Guam by 2014.

Going forward, the Navy will be in charge of compliance with environmental laws and regulations, safety, and hiring policies, the release said.

Marine accused of robbery on OkinawaNAHA, Okinawa — A Marine Corps private first class assigned to Camp Kinser is accused of robbing and injuring a taxi driver in Naha on Aug. 1, according to Okinawa police.

The 19-year-old Marine, whose name was not released because he is considered a minor in Japan, allegedly held up a taxi driver with a knife around 8:30 p.m. in the Maejima district of Naha, taking about 60,000 yen (about $550), a police spokesman said.

The Marine fled, but police later identified and located him with the help of Marine investigators, the spokesman said. He is being held in military custody pending indictment. Marine Corps officials said Friday "it would be inappropriate for us to speculate at this time" about the situation, but said they were working closely with the Japanese authorities.

The police spokesman said the Marine admitted to robbing the driver.

A recommendation for a charge of robbery while inflicting an injury will be forwarded to the Naha General District Prosecutor’s office, the spokesman said.

Yokota services to be curtailed next weekYOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Base residents can expect closures or reduced hours at some base services during a readiness exercise Sunday through Friday.

The following offices will be closed: Health and Wellness Center and fitness testing cell; Military Personnel Element; Finance Customer Service Section; Vehicle Operations Licensing Office; Individual Protective Equipment; Self-Help Store; legal office; immunization clinic and the 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office photo studio.

Expect reduced hours at the following locations: dental clinic; primary medical care clinics; radiology and laboratory; medical specialty care clinics; Samurai Fitness Center; Pass and Registration; Civil Engineering; Base Supply; Passenger Travel Office; Vehicle Operations; Personal Property Office and Communications Squadron.

Bar near Osan made off-limits to militaryA bar outside Osan Air Base, South Korea, has been placed off-limits to all U.S. military members due to evidence of "bar fining," according to a news release.

The bar, called Velfare, is in the Songtan shopping area.

The Area V commander, Col. Thomas Deale, issued the off-limits order Thursday on the recommendation of an Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board.

Velfare will be allowed to plead its case at an AFDCB meeting Wednesday.

Typically at such meetings, the board spells out the actions the bar owner must take to bring the establishment into compliance with U.S. Forces Korea regulations. Once those conditions have been met, Deale could choose to lift the ban.

USFK defines bar fining as "a payment by a patron to an owner, employee or agent of an establishment, club or bar in order to obtain the company or companionship (often sexual) to the customer."

Mirage is the only other club currently off limits in the Osan area.