Island Snapshots – February 2023

By Contributing Author

Posted on Feb 01 2023

: NEW GUAM GUARDSMEN-Maj. Gen. Esther Aguigui, rightmost, Adjutant General of the Guam Army National Guard, congratulates Vincent Taitano, second from left, and Jose Quitano, second from right, soon after swearing in the two as the newest members of the Guam Army National Guard last Sunday at the Commissioner Joaquin S. Tudela Community Park in San Vicente. At left is Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho. (LEIGH GASES)

: AMERICAN RED CROSS HONOREE-Triana Palemai, who is the NMI Operations Admin and Fleet volunteer for the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, was recently selected as the October 2022 Regional Winner by a committee of volunteers and her name was submitted for consideration at the Division Level (which covers Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Guam, the CNMI, and American Samoa). Palemai was then chosen as the November 2022 Division winner. At the NMI Chapter, Palemai helps with the Disaster Action Team and makes sure to be there for clients when no other DAT member is available. She spends most of her free time helping at the Red Cross and is also a volunteer at the Miracle Hands Center. “Congratulations, Triana and thank you for all that you do and continue to do for the Red Cross,” said the NMI Chapter in a recent news release. “We are so blessed to have her on our team and want her to be recognized throughout the region for all that she has done and continues to do for the Red Cross.” (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS-Northern Marianas College president Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Ed.D., rightmost, Northern Marianas Technical Institute chief executive officer Jodina Attao, second from left, and Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada of the NMI Public School System, leftmost, recently met with acting Labor secretary Leila Staffler, second from right, to discuss workforce development initiatives. (NMC)

: DAILY SAIPAN SPECTACLE-The sun rises Friday morning over the Pacific Ocean, Bird Island, and Saipan. (MARK FARMER)

: IAC DONATION HONORS MEMORY OF MARTINA “TINA” OGUMORO BARCINAS-Scott Dumbauld, center left, chief marketing officer from Individual Assurance Co., and IAC agent Donald C. Barcinas, center right, presented Mount Carmel School with a cash donation of $2,000 last Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, to honor the memory of Martina “Tina” Ogumoro Barcinas from the AlumKnight Class of 1972. This donation was made possible through the assistance of IAC. Others in the photo are, from left, John S. Blanco, MCS business manager; MCS Parent Council secretary Mai Mendola; MCS Parent Council president Tina Crisostimo Tudela; MCS president Frances T. Taimanao; Nenita San Nicolas from IAC; Victoria Deleon Guerrero MCS director of Institutional Development; Filmah Buenaflor, MCS acting principal; and Tobed Smith, MCS school counselor. (MCS)

: IGIA PLENARY SESSION-Along with other U.S. insular area governors and congressional representatives, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios on Wednesday presented the CNMI’s challenges and requests for federal assistance at the senior plenary session of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas, organized by the U.S. Department of Interior. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland; assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor; director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Julie Chavez Rodriguez; and White House senior adviser and infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu were also present at the session. Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) also presented at the IGIA. Palacios will also be testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where he will be presenting on the state of the CNMI affairs to committee chair Joe Manchin and other U.S. senators. In photo with Palacios and Sablan is U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Guam Gov. Lourdes “Lou” Leon Guerrero, American Samoa Gov. Lemanu Mauga, Cantor, and U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett. Not shown in photo are American Samoa Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen and Guam Delegate James C. Moylan.

: CNMI-BOUND-Fourteen Kentucky Air Guardsmen from the 123rd Contingency Response Group are in the CNMI right now to participate in Cope North. In this photo, a member of the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron prepares to load a vehicle onto a North Carolina Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 10, 2023. The vehicle is now in the Northern Mariana Islands. (U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD/PHIL SPECK)

: HEALTH FAIR-Maria Calma and Jaiden Sabugo, students of Northern Marianas College’s nursing program, administer blood sugar tests at the recently-held NMC Nursing Club Health Fair. With the help of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Health Disparities Program, CHCC Oral Health Program, CHCC Family Care Clinic, and the Department of Fire & Emergency Medical Services, the nursing students were able to promote health awareness and bring a variety of health resources to the community. The NMC Nursing Club would also like to extend their thanks to all of the organizations who participated and donated, including Bridge Capital, LLC, NMC’s Office of Student Activities and Leadership, the CNMI Area Health Education Center, Office of the Mayor of Saipan, and NMC’s Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services. (NMC)

: GCA’S TOP PERFORMERS-Grace Christian Academy would like to congratulate the GCA Junior High Math Court team, composed of Hans Ordas (6th grade), Yu Xuan Dianna Zheng (8th grade), and Min Su Andy Kim (8th grade), for winning first place in the CNMI Math Court Monthly Qualifying Competition on Jan. 21. In addition, Hans Ordas won first place in his grade division, while Min Su Andy Kim won third place in his grade division. (Photos by GCA)

: Grace Christian Academy would like to congratulate the GCA High School Math Court team, composed of Jeremy Woorim Lee (10th grade), Andrew Jeren Nunez (11th grade), Jiahao Yang (10th grade) for winning second place in the CNMI Math Court Monthly Qualifying Competition on Feb. 4. In addition, Jiahao Yang placed fifth overall in the 10th grade division, while Andrew Nunez placed fifth overall in the 11th grade division.

: Grace Christian Academy would like to congratulate the GCA National Junior Speech and Debate Association and National Speech and Debate Association students Eunice Pagaduan, TaeHee Kim, Qi Han Wang, Breanna Lopez, Jose Bonto, Hans Ordas, and Austin Yumul, who received many ribbons and top placements during the most recent qualifying competition. GCA also thanks Grace Duran, NJSDA/NSDA coordinator and coach, and Susan Pajarillaga, Math Court coordinator and coach, for their dedication and guidance.

: MILITARY OUTREACHES-POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia (Feb. 17, 2023) — Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 meet with Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, Feb. 12. Seabees discussed their ongoing projects and operational needs with Nicholson. NMCB Five provides general engineering, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint operational forces through planned deployments and crisis response. (U.S. Navy photo by Shaina O’Neal)

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia (Feb. 17, 2023) — Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion5 meet with Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, Feb. 12. Seabees discussed their ongoing projects and operational needs with Nicholson. NMCB Five provides general engineering, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint operational forces through planned deployments and crisis response. (U.S. Navy photo by Shaina O’Neal)

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia (Feb. 17, 2023) — Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, meets with the U.S. Veterans of Pohnpei Association, Feb. 13. During the meeting, veterans presented Nicholson with a traditional wood carving, recalled their memories in the military, and discussed their needs in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Shaina O’Neal)

: Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and U.S. Air Force members transport a passenger for a contingency response training during Cope North 2023 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 14, 2023. Cope North 23 enables U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific to operate from locations of varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen and aircrews are ready to respond across the spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jao’Torey Johnson)

: Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and U.S. Air Force members pose for a photo following a contingency response training during Cope North 2023 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 14, 2023. The United States, Australia and Japan employ interoperability during Cope North 23 through agile, integrated generation of airpower from dispersed locations across the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating coalition airpower resilience and survivability in a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jao’Torey Johnson)

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, meets with the U.S. Veterans of Pohnpei Association last Feb. 13. During the meeting, veterans presented Nicholson with a traditional wood carving, recalled their memories in the military, and discussed their needs in the region.

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, meets with FSM Attorney General Joses Gallen, Feb. 13. During the meeting, Nicholson and Gallen discussed the importance of open communication to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, hears a question from Kiribati President Taneti Maamau during the 21st Micronesian Presidents Summit last Feb. 13. Nicholson met with the heads of state to discuss the importance of partnership in the region to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, offers remarks during the 21st Micronesian Presidents Summit, Feb. 13.

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, offers remarks during the 21st Micronesian Presidents Summit, Feb. 13. Nicholson discussed the importance of partnership in the region to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, right, and U.S. Embassy Kolonia chargé d’affaires Alissa Bibb, left, attend the 21st Micronesian Presidents Summit, Feb. 13.

: POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific defense representative for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, center-right, and U.S. Embassy Kolonia chargé d’affaires Alissa Bibb, center left, attend the 21st Micronesian Presidents Summit, Feb. 13. During the summit, Nicholson offered remarks in regard to security and defense of Micronesia.

: MILITARY OUTREACH-POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia—Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander and U.S. Indo-Pacific senior military officer for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, gathers for a photo with FSM Vice President Aren Palik, U.S. Embassy Kolonia chargé d’affaires Alissa Bibb, and leadership from around the FSM. During the meeting, leaders discussed the importance of partnership in the region and future plans and projects to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Photos by U.S. NAVY/SHAINA O’NEAL)

: IN MEMORIAM-U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Royal Australian Air Force military officials bow their heads in a brief remembrance of military members lost in World War II on the island of Tinian in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands during Cope North 2023 last Feb. 8, 2023. (U.S. AIR FORCE/ STAFF SGT. DANIEL HERNANDEZ)

: OCEAN SWIM-Swimmers in the 1,500m, 1,000m, and 500m events wait for the start signal for last Saturday’s Tan Holdings 50th Anniversary Swim Meet in the waters off the Civic Center Beach. The event was held as part of the corporation’s yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary this year. (MARK RABAGO)

: ROTA ENGAGEMENT-Royal Australian Air Force members and U.S. Air Force amen pose with Rota residents at a community engagement event during Cope North 2023 on Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands last Feb. 17, 2023. (Photos by U.S. AIR FORCE/TECH. SGT. JAO’TOREY JOHNSON)

: Royal Australian Air Force members and U.S. airmen host a community engagement event during Cope North 2023 on Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands last Feb. 17, 2023.

: Royal Australian Air Force members and U.S. airmen host a community engagement event during Cope North 2023 on Rota last Feb. 17, 2023.

: Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lt. Toby Richter, C-27 Spartan pilot, is interviewed by local media at a community engagement event during Cope North 2023 on Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands last Feb. 17, 2023.

: Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lt. Toby Richter, C-27J Spartan pilot, poses with children at a community engagement event during Cope North 2023 on Rota last Feb. 17, 2023.

: Children check out a C-27 Spartan at a community engagement event during Cope North 2023 on Rota last Feb. 17, 2023.

: A U.S. airman entertains children at a community engagement event during Cope North 2023 on Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands last Feb. 17, 2023.

: ASH WEDNESDAY-A priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of parishioners at the Kristo Rai Parish Church using ashes from burnt coconut fronds during yesterday’s observance of Ash Wednesday, which signals the start of Advent, as observed through much of Christendom. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

: ROTARIAN FROM MONTANA-Rotarian Brett Doney, third from right, attends a meeting of the Saipan Rotary Club at Giovanni’s at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. Others in the photo are Dr. Nelson Krum, SAA Mario Valentino, acting secretary Brian Clayton, director Mary Grace Bautista, acting president Jessy Loomis, PP/director Greg Borja, and treasurer Charles Cepeda. Doney is a member of the Great Falls Montana Club. He serves as president and CEO of the Great Falls Development Alliance, a nonprofit regional economic development organization and Community Development Financial Institution. Doney has been a professional economic developer for 38 years. He is visiting Saipan for the third time as a volunteer of the International Economic Development Council. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

: KEYNOTE ADDRESS-Northern Marianas College president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero gives the keynote address for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Economic Forum, where he advocated for building intellectual capital in the CNMI. Deleon Guerrero provided three solutions to increasing the CNMI’s intellectual capacity: accelerated cohort-based programs with experiential-based credits and interdisciplinary courses, increasing academic research capacity, and investing in the reskilling and upskilling the workforce through the college’s Community Development Institute. In addition, Deleon Guerrero also emphasized the college’s commitment to cultivating entrepreneurship and business growth through the CNMI Small Business Development Center, while harnessing agricultural and aquacultural programs at NMC’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services to diversify food industries and increase food security in the CNMI. (NMC)

: AGILE REAPER 2023- Airmen assigned to the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing board a 517th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 24, 2023. The airmen are traveling Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for exercise Agile Reaper 23-1. AR 23-1 is the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing’s effort to exercise Agile Combat Employment and allows personnel to rehearse capabilities to provide air dominance, global mobility, and command/control for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command commander. (Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan)

: U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Jamieson, left, the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Col. Mike Fea, right, the 673d Medial Group commander and Defense Health Agency — Alaska Market director, discuss operations aboard a 517th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 24, 2023. The airmen are traveling Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for exercise Agile Reaper 23-1. (Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan)

: Senior Airman Nate Bredl, a loadmaster assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, unstraps luggage from a C-17 Globemaster III after landing at Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, Feb. 26, 2023. Personnel, luggage and cargo arrived in support of Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1. AR 23-1 supports the Air Force’s requirement for expeditionary skills necessary to operate outside of military installations; Airmen must have diverse skills that enable them to operate in a contested, degraded, and operationally limited environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

: Col. Kevin Jamieson, left, the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Chief Master Sgt. Nikki Drago, center, the 3rd AEW command chief, and Senior Master Sgt. Travis Kehoe, right, the 3rd AEW senior enlisted leader at Tinian International Airport, discuss Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1 operations Feb. 26, 2023. (Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

: A forklift driver with the Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, offloads cargo alongside loadmasters assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, for Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1, Feb. 26, 2023. (Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

: Loadmasters assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, guide a forklift to offload cargo at Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, Feb. 26, 2023. Personnel, luggage and cargo arrived in support of Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1. (Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

: Maj. Evan Allen, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, secures seatbelts after arriving at Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, Feb. 26, 2023. Allen, along with additional C-17 aircrews and loadmasters will provide airlift support for Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1. (Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

: A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, sits on the flight line of Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, after offloading personnel and cargo in support of Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1, Feb. 26, 2023. C-17 aircrews and loadmasters will provide airlift support for Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1. (Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

: A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, takes off from Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, after offloading personnel and cargo in support of Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1, Feb. 26, 2023. The C-17 Globemaster III is a multi-service C-17 that can carry large equipment, supplies and personnel directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world. (Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

: A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, flies over Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, after offloading personnel and cargo in support of Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1, Feb. 26, 2023. (Tech. Sgt. Hailey Staker)

Contributing Author

Island Snapshots – January 2023

Island Snapshots – March 2023

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