‘Divert airfield to bring development to Tinian’

Tinian leaders welcomed the U.S. Air Force decision last week to build an alternative airport on the island but they said they would still scrutinize the U.S. military and Department of Defense’s final plans for the divert activities and other exercises.

Senate President Francisco M. Borja (independent), and Republican Party Sens. Jude U. Hofschneider and Francisco Q. Cruz are united in saying the divert plan would bring economic development to the island that would be beneficial to the people of Tinian.

Borja said the Tinian leadership had already decided before that two-thirds of Tinian would be leased by the military. “That has been the decision of the leadership before that the divert airfield should be on Tinian.”

“This would at least help us in our economy and hopefully the military would also build additional infrastructure that will be shared with the community,” added Borja, who, along with Rep. Edwin P. Aldan, was re-elected under the local GOP banner to represent Tinian in the CNMI Legislature.

He said the military should also stay true to its original plan of using no high-powered munitions and ordnances in their activities.

“As long as the purpose is for divert activities, they have our full support.”

“That’s why we don’t want the [Commonwealth Joint Military Training] combined with the divert airfield, because they are in different groups,” added Borja. The CJMT’s proposed military buildup for Tinian include a live-fire training facility, which the CNMI government opposes.

“Hopefully, we would soon see the development so they could also help the Tinian economy [and] improve some of the infrastructures at the Tinian airport,” added Borja, who is also a former mayor of the municipality.

Cruz echoed these sentiments. “I’m always open to it, as long as they don’t do any hybrid divert. I’m okay with the one that they signed with [Gov. Ralph DLG Torres]. That would also bring revenue to Tinian and improve our airport and bring economic development to us.”

Cruz said the area that the military would use, the airport and the north field, a former World War II facility, are among the possible places being eyed by the military.

“It is good for the people. Hopefully it would also bring employment to Tinian. But there’s no discussion yet what are they going to use. For me, personally, I think it is okay for them to use the original plan. The one adjacent to the airport and if they jointly use the runway, we’re looking at them to help improve the airport’s facilities,” added Cruz.
 
Things to clarify

Hofschneider said CNMI leaders should still meet as some issues need to be clarified and discussed thoroughly. “It was supported by the leadership. We submitted the position of having Tinian considered for the divert.”

“But we also have an understanding that although there’s already [a Record of Decision] to designate Tinian [for divert activities] there are still some elements underneath to clarify. Like the actual developments contained in the divert plan.”

The facilities that would be built, activities that would take place, and other details that needs discussion before the military could start with the divert are among the issues that must be settled, added Hofschneider.

He said the divert airfield plan would be a multi-agency project with the Commonwealth Ports Authority. “This being the aviation side, the CPA holds a lot of responsibility. The leadership will be working with them.”

Hofschneider, who is also chairman of the Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation, said that with the Tinian divert airfield plans signed, the real work for the CNMI government begins where they need to see the details and elements of the proposed developments.

“We have to be mindful that there are some details that we have to raise. Maybe, we are also looking on the development of the Tinian airport to allow commercial airlines to have direct flights from other countries.”

Hofschneider said they have always been supportive of the military’s activities. “But we also want to find out and look forward to the benefits by way of economic development on the island.”

“That’s the biggest reason why we supported the divert airfield—for the economic benefits that would trickle down to the community—and that is the primary objective of supporting it.”