‘We are making history’

The men and women that made the Pacific Air Force Divert airport plan layout approval possible. (Bea Cabrera)

SAN JOSE, Tinian—The Commonwealth Ports Authority board unanimously approved yesterday the U.S. Air Force’s layout plan for an alternative landing site—or divert airfield—on Tinian.

The plan will form part of the CPA’s own airport layout plan to be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for review and approval.

The U.S. Air Force prepared the Pacific Air Force Divert and Exercise airport layout plan and feasibility study for the CPA in December 2016.

The divert airfield is intended to become an alternative landing site for U.S. Air Force planes in case the airfield on Anderson Air Force Base in Guam is unavailable due to war, disaster, etc.

According to Barrie Toves, who chairs the CPA board’s Airport Facilities Committee, this is history in the making.

“When we became a Commonwealth, the people of Tinian sacrificed two-thirds of the island—it was leased to the U.S. for military purposes—and yet nothing happened during those times. The plans and promises to the people of Tinian did not materialize.

“After three decades, we are here again under a different issue, because we are dealing with potentially giving up and sacrificing the northern part of CPA’s property. Now, we have finally reached an agreement that is beneficial to both parties,” he said.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres himself was present at the board meeting to show support to the layout plan.

“We are here because of a very important matter,” said Torres.

He acknowledged that the airport layout plan is a very difficult proposal that is critical and crucial to the development of Tinian and the livelihood of its people.

“It’s a matter that will change the course of our history,” he added. “We’ve seen a lot of military proposals throughout the years. I myself have been a part of negotiations of these proposals for the last 10 years.”

However, he said there has never been a higher level of discussion and commitment “as we have experienced in the past several months from the deputy assistant secretary of Defense, Allison R. Sands, and Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield.”

Torres said he himself experienced the sincerity of people in Washington, D.C.—on Capital Hill and the Pentagon— during negotiations.

“We have committed to the [Department of Defense] that this is going to be a long-term relationship and I believe I have seen a real commitment from the DOD. I believe that the negotiation was achieved and that this is the right time for us to move forward on the airport layout plan.”

“I am confident that through innovative approach, we will reach our goal in addressing the concerns of the people of Tinian, to execute decisions that will be in their benefit,” he added.

As deputy assistant secretary of Defense, Sands assured that the whole region of the Western Pacific, of which the CNMI is a part of, is very important.

“There’s a lot of national security interest in the region nowadays and to have an area so centrally located to be able to meet our national security objectives is very important. We are very grateful to enter this relationship for national security and defense purposes that we think will not only benefit the greater United States but also the CNMI,” she said.

“The real work is just starting. Today paves the way for us to sit down and actually figure our how we are going to make this happen in a mutually beneficial way. We are very excited to have the door opened to be able to start those discussion,” Sands added.

Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas expressed his support by saying that the U.S. Air Force airport layout plan will improve both the military’s readiness in the area as well the growth and development of the Tinian International Airport’s ability to one day receive international flights.

Sen. Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian) believes the divert field is another opportunity to enhance Tinian’s economy as well as the CNMI overall economic wellbeing.

Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan), who was also present yesterday, said his involvement with the divert plan began when he was invited to the initial meetings.

“The high level pre-negotiations between the governor, CPA, and DOD over past two months shows a commitment…that will directly benefit the community—tangible positive benefits to the people who will be directly impacted,” Demapan said.

CPA board member Kimberly-Hinds expressed her support with passion and hope.

“I support the divert operation because of DOD’s firm commitment [as] shown when they immediately began negotiations for the layout plan.”

“As part of this high level negotiations, the DOD expressed firm commitment that they will not only give benefit to air and seaport activities but to directly benefit the community of Tinian such as expansion of the health clinic, paving the roads, improving infrastructure,” she added.

According to Toves, the board’s approval is only the start.

“The next step is for us to go back to the drawing board and, talk to our engineering department because we do have a proposed amendment the Tinian airport layout plan back in 2012 that we submitted to FAA but we had to cancel that to give way to this.

“We are going to take that product out of 2012 and merge it together with the DOD proposal for layout plan that they submitted. Both parties are committed to work together for the people of Tinian and of the Commonwealth,” he added.