Why a divert airfield on Tinian?

The military has long used Guam as the primary airfield here in the Marianas since the Korean War and the Vietnam War and continues to use it for this purpose to date.

The military is now proposing to build a divert airfield either on Saipan or Tinian. The purpose of a divert airfield is to serve as an alternate airfield in the event that the primary airfield is compromised and no longer useable. A Record of Decision by the military on the divert airfield is forthcoming sometime next year but they seem more inclined to choose Saipan due to infrastructure (harbor, roads, airfield) and budgetary issues. But choosing Saipan for these reasons seem very shortsighted from a tactical standpoint.

In the event of a war, the federal government can exercise its eminent domain power to commandeer the infrastructure (seaport, road systems, and airport) on Saipan for military use, overruling any CNMI issues or concerns. So in essence, Saipan can easily and automatically be used as a divert airfield.

If the military chooses Tinian for its divert airfield, then it will logically have two divert airfields (Tinian and Saipan) in time of war, thus giving it three airfields: Guam, Tinian, and Saipan. In choosing Saipan for its divert airfield, it will only end up having two airfields (Guam and Saipan) since it did not invest and build the infrastructure facilities needed on Tinian to potentially serve as a divert airfield.

From a tactical standpoint, it seems more logical to have three airfields instead of just two, because it will be much harder for the enemy to make three strikes in a row than two strikes. Although I have no military training or experience in tactical warfare, I can tell you from a hunter’s point of view that it’s easier to hit one or two ducks in a row than to hit three ducks in a row. A bowler will also tell you that it is much harder make three strikes in a row than two strikes. From this point of view, it seems more logical to build the divert airfield on Tinian instead of Saipan, regardless of cost.

I read in the local papers that U.S. Congress has appropriated nearly $30 million for the divert airfield, and that Saipan is the preferred choice by the military due to its limited budget and because much of the needed infrastructure (harbor and road system) is already in place. If Tinian were the preferred choice, the military will need a lot more than just $30 million. But $30 million is actually a good amount of down payment to at least start rehabilitating the dilapidated harbor on Tinian, which is in dire need of restoration anyway.

When Uncle Sam decided to launch the atomic bombs from Tinian during World War II, the infrastructure (harbor, roads, airfield) needed to fulfill this mission was built at all costs around the clock. If the military can spend $1 billion a day fighting a war in Iraq, then the cost of putting the divert airfield on Tinian is just a drop in the bucket.

I was near the Saipan airport one day when only six Air Force fighter jets were conducting exercises there and I can tell you that my ears were ringing from the excessive noise pollution those jets were making. Imagine the amount of noise pollution when multiplying this number by 3three or four times more fighter jets. Although I’m fortunate I don’t live near the airport, I feel sorry for all those who live around those areas, including the many tourists at nearby resorts and sightseeing spots who had to bear with all that loud noise. A divert airfield on Saipan will not only limit further commercial development for the Commonwealth Ports Authority, but will affect real estate values, historical sites and tourist sites in that area.

The good people of the CNMI have made a great sacrifice in giving up two-thirds of the island of Tinian for military use which includes building a divert airfield, but the federal government seems to be reneging on its commitment under the Covenant Agreement to use Tinian and to help develop the CNMI’s economic wellbeing; something that is greatly needed in these trying times.

Perhaps we need to launch strong community opposition and protests against Saipan being the preferred choice, because like they say; “it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease” and hope that our President of Hope and Change will hear us.

Tony Calvo
Death Valley, Saipan