CNMI: Tinian mayor welcomes US military training approval

The US Navy and Marine Corps have finalized a plan to conduct distributed operations training on Tinian, an island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan expressed satisfaction with the US Department of the Navy's approval of expanded joint military training on the island, although he noted that residents should have been better informed about the decision.

The Record of Decision, signed on July 23 by Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment) Brendan Rogers, formally approved Alternative 1 under the CNMI Joint Military Training project, allowing for increased land-based military training and associated infrastructure on Tinian following over a decade of environmental review and public consultation.

Mayor Aldan emphasized that residents should have been better informed about the decision contents and expressed concern over the lack of public dissemination. The approved alternative would increase military training on Tinian by approximately 15 percent, including the construction of two live-fire ranges, landing zones, ammunition storage areas, radar towers, biosecurity facilities, and other supporting infrastructure.

The US Navy stated that the project aims to enhance US military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region while incorporating measures to minimize environmental and community impacts. Aldan welcomed the decision, noting that it provides greater certainty about the developments and potential economic benefits for Tinian. He highlighted the island's historical role in US defense and expressed pride in participating in the military movement in the region, while emphasizing the need to prioritize Tinian's environment, community, and way of life throughout the process.