US military to hike presence

The United States is increasing its military presence in the Marianas region and the CNMI is projected to have an escalating strategic role for the nation, according to U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Thomas B. Fargo.

Fargo, the highest-ranking naval official in the entire Pacific, visited the Northern Marianas for the first time yesterday and took an aerial tour of Saipan, Tinian and Farallon de Mendinilla.

Fargo said this increase in the military’s presence comes amid economic and military development in some Asian countries, including China.

“As the ‘center of gravity’ for the United States shifts both economically and militarily toward Asia, Guam and the CNMI will play an increasingly more strategic role for the United States,” Fargo said. “China and India have huge populations, and as they continue to develop economically, they will have a more significant impact on the U.S. economy.”

Together with Naval Forces Marianas commander Rear Adm. Arthur Johnson, Fargo toured the islands to familiarize himself with their geography, infrastructure and potential for future military plans, according to CNMI press secretary Pete Callaghan.

Callaghan said the military wants to heighten its activities on FDM, as military planes on Guam increase.

Besides touring the islands via helicopter, Fargo and Johnson also toured port facilities on Saipan.

Callaghan said the military officials gave the governor a snapshot on short-term military plans for the region, including increased use of prepositioned ships and intensified training of military personnel.

Johnson earlier visited Tinian last June and met with local officials to discuss about the military’s future plans. The military currently controls about 30 percent of the landmass of Tinian, maintaining its leasehold on over 7,628 acres of public land.

The military also leases about 178 acres of public land on Saipan, while maintaining leasehold over the Farallon de Mendinilla Island, where it frequently conducts bombing exercises.

“Long-term projections for the area will depend on the decisions of the BRAC [Base Realignment and Closure] Committee’s recommendations which should be completed in 2005,” the Admiral said. “But one thing my boss, [Defense] Secretary [Donald] Rumsfeld, keeps telling me is that we only want to go where the people want us to be there. That is why we appreciate the warm welcome we always receive from the people of the CNMI.”

The governor assured the naval officials of his administration’s support for the military in the Marianas region. Babauta also assured the military that support for reservists and their families would be a top priority of his government.

“We are especially grateful for the service of your Army Reserve unit. They play an extremely important role in our national defense, and we are proud of them and the sacrifices their families are making as they serve our nation. As you wait on the outcome of establishing a National Guard unit, I urge you to continue your support for our reservists,” Fargo told Babauta.

The Defense Department reportedly wants to strengthen its military on Guam, as the federal government decides on closing up other military bases next year, according to an article that appeared in the New York Times several weeks ago.

The report said several B-52 Stratofortress bombers had flown to the Andersen Air Force base on Guam from Minot, North Dakota, while a nuclear-powered attack submarine—the third to make Guam its homeport since 2002—would arrive on the U.S. territory this year.

The article noted various movements in military logistics and construction activities that have been going on, which could indicate that Guam is gearing up to become one of the country’s major military hubs.

Amid plans to increase military presence in the CNMI, a Korean investor is planning to put up on the islands a factory that would manufacture military products for the U.S. Defense Department

Dong-In Entech Co. Ltd. wants to put up a factory to manufacture CamelBak products in the CNMI. CamelBak is a leading name in outdoor gear products, including military backpacks and hydration systems.