Over 100 Marines training on Tinian as early as May

Roughly 175 U.S. Marines could start training on Tinian as early as May 8 if the ongoing development of a scope of work goes as planned, officials told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

And if all goes well, Exercise Geiger Fury MAG-012 could be the first major U.S. military training exercise on Tinian in a decade. It would also involve restoration of Tinian’s historic North Field.

Two-thirds of Tinian land is leased by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Officials from Marine Aircraft Group-12 Japan visited the CNMI on Thursday to brief officials about the planned training exercise.

Tinian Mayor Ray Dela Cruz said yesterday it’s “about time” DoD makes use of its leased land on Tinian.

“Since taking office, I have been lobbying with the military leadership in Guam to make use of the DoD leased lands on Tinian. It is most appropriate that the United States Marine Corps would be the first to take advantage of the opportunity,” said Dela Cruz, who was “pleasantly surprised” by the Marine Corps and Navy officials’ visit on Tinian Thursday.

Dela Cruz said he hopes the military plan is approved.

“We welcome the Marines and I am hopeful that their initiative will convince Congress that building the Air Force Divert Base on Tinian is also in the best interest of the United States and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,” he added.

Rep. Trenton Conner (R-Tinian) separately said yesterday the military is looking at 175 Marines to take part in the training exercise from May 8 to the middle of June.

Another official said “175” is just an “initial” figure and could change dramatically.

“It would give a boost to Tinian’s economy but nothing significant,” Conner said of the planned exercise.

‘Enduring relationship’

Representatives of the Navy and the Marine Corps “revealed that they are working on a plan called Exercise Geiger Fury” during Thursday’s meeting.

They, however, cautioned the mayor that this was only a collaborative meeting to gain input from all concerned parties as they develop the scope of work for the project, but were hopeful that operations might begin as early as May 8.

“Both Marine Corps and Navy officers advised the mayor that they will be working closely with the Commonwealth Ports Authority and all federal and local regulatory agencies to assure compliance with all federal and local laws. They said they wanted to create an ‘enduring relationship’ with Tinian and the CNMI that will be a win-win for all concerned,” the mayor’s office said.

Marines taking part in the exercise will start arriving on the annual San Jose fiesta weekend.

Dela Cruz’s office also said if the exercise materializes as currently planned, the overall purpose of the project would be to create an Expeditionary Airfield at North Field for Marine Corps F/A 18 Hornets.

“The refurbished North Field runway could then be used twice a year for training operations. Tinian’s West Field International Airport could be utilized in the meantime, if they receive concurrence from the proper agencies,” Dela Cruz’s office said.

The mayor was assured that the Marines would buy as much of their daily supplies as possible from local vendors, including coral, water, and Tinian’s fresh fruits and vegetables. The Marines will also be given ample leave to visit Tinian’s local establishments.

While on Tinian, the Marines could perform a variety of community service projects, including but not limited to unexploded ordnance surveying and removal, and cross training Marine Corps personnel with Tinian Department of Public Safety and Tinian Health Center employees. Some medical examinations and physicals could be provided to local residents.

Dela Cruz’s office said the mayor was most pleased to learn that the engineers from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171-the Marine Corps Seabees-“might also be able to use some of their heavy equipment to help clear and improve access to historic sites within the North Field historic landmark boundaries.”

“This will be a great benefit to Tinian’s visitor industry, and a tremendous savings to the CNMI general fund,” the mayor’s office added.

North Field restoration

Dela Cruz’s office said according to the current plan, the North Field Restoration Project would be conducted in three phases.

In Phase 1, Marine Wing Support Squadron -171 would clear, grub, and strip Runway Bravo at North Field, then grade and compact new coral for C-130 and helicopter landing operations.

“If approval is received from all regulatory agencies, then the runway could receive a new coating of asphalt in order to support F-18 operations,” the office said.

Heavy equipment necessary to do the job would arrive aboard C-130 cargo aircraft and high-speed vessels originating from Japan.

Marine Corps personnel at the point of origin in Japan would coordinate invasive species control with Tinian quarantine personnel.

The U.S. Department of Defense leased some two-thirds of Tinian to ensure there is a capable forward basing option location in the Pacific in the event of major hostilities in the Pacific or loss of access to existing forward basing facilities.

The lease deal, signed in 1983, is for 50 years with a renewal option for an additional 50 years.

During World War II, Tinian had the largest airbase in the world that accommodated nearly 1,000 B-29s. Tinian was where the United States launched the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hastening the end of the war.