…as Navy calls off exercises

Immediately after learning of the injunction order yesterday morning (Marianas time), the U.S. Navy called off its bombing exercises on Farallon de Mendinilla Island.

This was disclosed by Lt. Monica Richardson, public affairs officer for the Commander of the Naval Forces Marianas based on Guam. Richardson said she received the information on Guam at about 7am.

“We were advised of the judge’s decision,” Richardson told Saipan Tribune. “We are doing everything to comply with the decision.”

“All military training that has been scheduled was canceled,” Richardson said.

The most recent batch of live fire training was supposed to last until tonight, based on a public advisory released by the Emergency Management Office.

Asked regarding the advisory, EMO Deputy Director Mark S. Pangelinan said early last night that the Navy has not reported any change in schedule.

“The bombing is still going on right now as we speak,” Pangelinan said. He said even the EMO’s operation center did not receive notification from the Navy that the latter is halting bombing exercises.

Pangelinan also said he sent an email to Commander Mike Dodge of the Naval Forces Marianas yesterday morning inquiring about possible changes or extension as to the schedule of the military training, but no reply was given to him as of press time.

He said that, if there was a change in the training schedule, the EMO should have been advised, since Dodge recently assured it would be given “prior notification.”

“When was it canceled? We haven’t received any notification. We should be given an advanced notice, if [there are] any changes on the schedule,” said Pangelinan, when informed of the Navy’s statement that it has canceled the scheduled military activity.

Richardson said the Navy headquarters on Guam has no information yet as to what action it would take.

Mike Schadeck, Armed Forces Committee chair of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, earlier told the Saipan Tribune that the Navy would be appealing the case, saying that the information came from a Navy admiral whom he did not name.

Schadeck had expressed the Chamber’s support for the continued use of Farallon de Mendinilla for bombing exercises because military presence in the CNMI translates to millions of dollars in benefits to businesses and the economy.

Richardson assured that she would provide public information if there is any new development regarding the Navy’s plan of action. “We’ve been ordered to not train at FDM, and we are abiding,” she stressed.