NMI reservists called to arms

CNMI reservists are being called to active duty and will be deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan beginning this week, according to Gov. Juan N. Babauta.

This comes soon after the Pentagon announced last week the involuntary call-up of inactive personnel to reinforce depleted missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Babauta said the local Army Reserve has in fact been notified for such deployment.

“The [Army Reserve] company commander [Franklin Babauta] informed me that his unit has been notified [for deployment],” said the governor.

Babauta said about 83 CNMI reservists, including 30 police officers, would be deployed beginning this week.

A government source, meantime, said that about 40 ambulatory technicians and fire personnel from the Department of Public Safety are on the list for deployment.

The source added that the deployment of the local troop would be done within 30 days.

Reports said that on Guam about 150 reservists have been alerted for deployment to Iraq.

In Hawaii, the military announced that more than 75 percent of the state’s Army National Guard has been put on alert.

News reports also indicated that American Samoa’s 600 personnel—out of 650—have received alert status.

Babauta, in an interview, said the deployment of DPS personnel “is a very great concern” since the local enforcement unit has long been lacking in staff.

“I’m very concerned due to its great impact on the delivery of public service of DPS. The department is already shorthanded,” he said.

Babauta said the deployment has no specified duration date, but normally such assignment takes 15 or 18 months to two years.

Babauta said reservists’ families have been “heartbroken” by the news. “But I commend and salute our men and women in uniform for keeping the nation safe and helping other nations achieve democracy.”

“Closer to home, I want to thank the families for their support. Our prayer is for everybody,” said the governor.

Babauta said he has instructed DPS commissioner Ed Camacho to come up with a strategy plan on how to address the personnel situation in the department. “I’ve directed him to submit a plan of action to ensure public safety and protection in view of this development.”

As early as last year, U.S. military officials had cautioned of an exodus of active and reserve forces if the U.S. is unable to recruit international troops or prevent continued violence in Iraq.

Pentagon’s announcement last week was reportedly “the latest signs of the strain on the U.S. Armed Forces that has about 155,000 service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This even as the U.S. and its allied forces handed over sovereignty to Iraq last week.

CNMI Army Reserve commander Franklin Babauta, when reached yesterday, declined to provide details on the issue, saying he has yet to get specific instructions from higher authorities.

“I have been talking to Hawaii. Our area here needs to get more information. As soon as we receive it, we’ll provide it to the media. We owe it to the public to reveal what’s happening,” he said.

A government source said Army Reserve’s Babauta has met with the local troop Saturday.

“It’s part of our preparation. We’ve been preparing for this ever since,” he said.

He said his unit will issue a public statement on the issue no later than tomorrow.