Fitial offers Tinian as ‘divert airfield’ for Air Force

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has recommended the use of Tinian as an alternative site for an airfield to allow increased contingency operations, humanitarian assistance, and exercise capabilities for the U.S. Air Force.

Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian) also recommended the use of Tinian, while Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) touted Rota-all to help the Air Force maintain a state of military readiness in line with its national defense mission in the western Pacific.

The U.S. Air Force requested for comments on its preparation of an environmental impact statement, or EIS, related to developing a “divert airfield alternative location to Andersen Air Force Base.”

Fitial said the CNMI-Military Integration Management Committee welcomes the plan to consider Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and will work with all federal agencies in completing this project.

“We recognize the advantages and disadvantages of each location and therefore would like to suggest that the island of Tinian would be the preferred location,” Fitial said in a letter to U.S. Air Force Capt. Kimberly Bender.

As Hofschneider had pointed out, the U.S. Department of Defense has an existing 99-year lease of two-thirds of land on Tinian.

Hofschneider, in a phone interview yesterday, said he’s thankful for the governor’s endorsement of Tinian, but said they have yet to hear back from the Air Force.

The governor cited six distinct advantages that Tinian offers, including the airport’s 1.5-mile distance from the closest residential development so noise issues shouldn’t be a concern.

Fitial also said the Tinian port has a deep water harbor, is close to the airport, and is underutilized.

“The development of Tinian will enhance other military buildup related activities. Existing runways can easily be expanded,” he said.

The governor also said all lands in question are already public lands so it will not require purchase of any private lands.

“Over 95 percent of the people living on Tinian welcome this initiative and will be extremely supportive,” Fitial added.

EIS in April 2012

Tom Linden, CNMI-MMIC coordinator, said yesterday that the governor has not received a response nor does he expect to receive a formal response.

Linden said the draft Environmental Impact Statement that is scheduled to be released in April 2012 will most likely indicate which locations is preferred by the Air Force and why.

“At that time, we will have the opportunity to make additional comments either in support of or against the choice. The military has a very rigid process on these EISs and typically will brief the leadership with their findings prior to the next round of scoping meetings. This provides the MIMC Policy Committee a chance to ask questions and fully understand the reasoning behind DoD decisions,” Linden told Saipan Tribune.

Linden said each of the CNMI’s major islands has its unique advantages and disadvantages in this initiative.

“I am aware that some of the lawmakers sent individual letters endorsing their respective islands and understand their rationale. The MIMC Policy Committee, which consists of the governor, lieutenant governor, Senate president, speaker of the House, and all four mayors, agreed that we welcome the initiative on any of our islands but that Tinian would be our preferred location,” he said.

Manglona said he’s strongly recommending Rota as an alternative site because this is the southernmost island in the CNMI chain of islands, and its airport has the closest airfield to Guam’s Andersen Air Force Base.

He said the Rota airport has a limited flight schedule that satisfies the Air Force’s need for any unscheduled landings, and Rota has large amounts of readily available land.

Air Force requirements

In its planning assumptions, the Air Force said the optimal divert location should be a U.S. territory allowing sovereignty of action; has existing Federal Aviation Administration airfield facilities; and close to the Pacific “Rim of Fire” nations that might require disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.

It also has to be close to U.S. maritime transportation nodes and an available deep water port; has existing U.S. command and control telecommunication modules; and within reasonable distance (150 nautical miles) of Andersen Air Force Base.

The proposed divert location will use up to 12 KC-135 wide-bodied airplanes and 500 to 700 support personnel.

The Air Force said the purpose of the proposed action is to ensure a divert field-an alternative location to Andersen Air Force Base-exists “that can support emergency divert requirements, military training and exercises, and humanitarian relief operations within a reasonable distance to AAFB and the Philippine Sea.”

The proposal would result in critical enhancements to an existing civilian airfield.

Open process

The U.S. Air Force held open house scoping meetings in October on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota on the matter.

The meetings were held to support an early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed, and for identifying the significant issues related to the preparation of an EIS “aimed at assessing the potential environmental impacts from proposed development of divert capabilities within the Mariana Islands.”