Babauta urges CPA to develop old airport

Gov. Juan N. Babauta proposed the development of the old airfields on Saipan to help the tourism industry by providing an additional tourist and education resource for the Northern Marianas.

In a letter to CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios, Babauta proposed to open a discussion with ports authority officials concerning the development of the remains of the former As Lito Field and Isely Field into an important tourist and educational resource for the CNMI.

“The core of the former Japanese and American World War II airfields are located on CPA land in the vicinity of the Saipan International Airport Control Tower and the Airport Rescue and Firefighting facility. I understand that the September 11 tragedy have increased security concerns for airports across the United States and this would clearly be taken into account if this area was to be improved,” said the governor.

He said the remains of these airfields have been described as the most complete World War II airfields in the Central Pacific area, thus, can be significantly valuable to the Commonwealth.

Babauta said the remains of the As Lito and Isely Fields are extremely historically significant and have been proclaimed a National Historic landmark, adding that developing these architectural remains would create another attraction for tourists on Saipan.

“These would allow the Marianas Visitors Authority to more aggressively market the Commonwealth to American, Australian, and European tourists interested in historical tourism, and provide an important educational resource for local students,” Babauta pointed out.

According to the Governor, the remains of As Lito Field and Isely Field have numerous buildings and structural remnants remain from the WWII. These remnants include highly impressive Japanese buildings such as underground bomb storage bunker and retaining wall, power plant, oxygen generating building, hospital and barrack remains.

The remnants are also historically rich especially that bombers from the As Lito Field attacked Guam at the same time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the US to the WW II.

Isely Field on the other hand, served as the base for the American strategic bombing of Japan and later the incendiary bombing of Japanese cities including Tokyo.

“I am asking the CPA for assistance in developing this important resource for the good of the Commonwealth. Your help and technical assistance will be appreciated for this endeavor,” Babauta urged ports officials.