700 troops coming to CNMI in summer for Air Force-led multilateral exercise

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Northern Mariana Islands will be one of the key locations to host a large-scale multilateral exercise scheduled for this summer, defense officials announced, reiterating the U.S. territory’s strategic significance to the U.S. military’s force posture in the Indo-Pacific.

During a stakeholders’ meeting on Saipan on June 17-18, the Joint Region Marianas informed CNMI officials that the Pacific Air Forces-led multilateral exercise, Resolute Force Pacific, will deploy approximately 500 personnel to Saipan and 200 personnel between Tinian and Rota.

Officials said the exercise will test the Air Force’s ability to adapt and respond to crises in the region.

According to Air & Space Forces magazine’s report, the REFORPAC, which will run for two weeks in summer, includes up to 300 aircraft across 25 locations with partner nations.

During a March 4 symposium hosted by the Air & Space Force Association’s Warfare, Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, said the exercise would highlight the concept of Agile Combat Employment, logistics under fire and the ability to generate combat power from multiple locations, ensuring U.S. forces can operate effectively in a real-world fight.

“The CNMI is a critical pillar of strategic deterrence in the Indo-Pacific,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander of Joint Task Force-Micronesia. “Strengthening infrastructure and investing in long-term resilience here enhances our defensive posture and collective readiness so when called upon, we can protect our homeland.”

At the stakeholders’ meeting, the defense team disclosed that the Tinian divert airfield

project is approximately 70 percent complete, while the majority of the earthwork activity is complete and the redesign of the aboveground fuel system has been approved.

Joint Task Force Micronesia said SeaBees under the 30th Naval Construction Regiment reported 90 percent completion of the construction of a pre-engineered building at Camp Tinian that will provide storage for equipment and supplies.

They have also completed the installation of concrete drainage and asphalt for two of the seven previously unpaved sections of roadway in the Marpo Heights II community on Tinian, providing a valuable training opportunity for personnel while improving community infrastructure.

Separately, SeaBees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 have opened up more than 200 homestead agricultural lots in the southeast of the island by clearing a series of secondary roads.

This project enabled SeaBees to train in various skill sets while facilitating access to the site for the community.

The team also discussed proposed improvements to Tinian port facilities and the international airports on Saipan and Rota.

“CNMI is vital to INDOPACOM’s force posture as it boosts our ability to project power and respond quickly across the Indo-Pacific,” Indo-Pacific Command Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher K. Faurot said.

“Today’s meeting highlights our joint commitment to infrastructure improvements that support both defense readiness and local community resilience,” he added.

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas discussed the Industry Days held in Rota, Saipan and Tinian in May, designed to promote economic opportunities for the CNMI community by maximizing engagement between local businesses and DoD contractors.

JTF-M briefed preliminary numbers on U.S. Pacific Air Forces' 2024 expenditures in the CNMI, including real property leases and rentals, service contracts, supplies and equipment and construction contracts.

“The quarterly briefings and the engagements that occur in between these briefings help to ensure the CNMI and various stakeholders receive timely updates about important developments from all the branches of the military,” CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios said.

Palacios welcomed the continued partnership with the DoD, emphasizing the critical nature of the agency’s work in enhancing the nation’s security while providing local community benefits, including critical infrastructure investments, community programs and other activities.

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