Record of decision for CNMI Joint Military Training project facing delay
- Admin
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
By Bryan Manabat
Saipan--The U.S. military is setting its sights on using the abandoned radio transmitter site on Tinian for an expeditionary base camp, according to Mayor Edwin P. Aldan.
The island's mayor said the military's plan to acquire the property would further delay the issuance of a record of decision for the CNMI Joint Military Training project.
The International Broadcasting Bureau operated shortwave radio facilities on Tinian, broadcasting Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, but these sites have been slated for closure following President Donald Trump's move to abolish the government-funded broadcasting networks.
“They were interested in the land and building left by IBB. That was the holdup,” Aldan said. “And then DOD needed to do another study, report and assessment to include it in the CJMT.”
Aldan said the U.S. Department of War is not expected to take final action on the revised draft environmental impact statement for the CNMI Joint Military Training project until April.
“They want to sit down with us again,” he said, adding that the April meeting will determine the timeline for the final EIS and the subsequent final decision.
Aldan said the radio site located within the military lease area does not require a new lease. "But they are going to include it in the final package of CJMT," he said. "That was the delay.”
The revised draft EIS, released in June 2025, outlines proposed Marine Corps training activities on Tinian and evaluates potential impacts on land use, cultural resources, the environment and the island’s economy. The proposal includes live‑fire ranges, a temporary base camp, communications infrastructure and a biosecurity facility.
The public comment period opened on June 6, 2025, and was originally set to close on Aug. 20. After receiving more than 30,000 comments, the Marine Corps extended the deadline to Sept. 4, 2025.
Under the current proposal, the Marine Corps plans a scaled‑down training footprint compared to the 2015 version.
The revised draft EIS includes two small‑arms live‑fire ranges, ground maneuver training, aviation training at North Field and 13 landing zones across the military lease area. It also calls for a temporary expeditionary base camp, two radar towers and portable communications equipment to support small, dispersed units operating in the Indo‑Pacific.
The revised draft EIS removed several controversial elements from earlier proposals, including artillery, bombing, aviation‑delivered munitions, high‑hazard impact areas and all training on Pagan.
Officials say the revised concept reflects community feedback and the military’s
shift toward distributed operations.
“Hopefully everything turns out good,” Aldan said. “The record of decision is pretty much what we really want to see, too. That is where we will see the whole plan and their intentions.”
While the community generally supports the revised plan, Aldan said some residents have continued to raise concerns about land access, cultural preservation, environmental protections and long‑term economic impacts.
“We’re going to keep pushing for clarity and for the community’s voice to be heard,” he said.
Aldan also confirmed that construction of the Tinian Divert Airfield will not be completed this year, citing delays in permitting and asphalting.
The first phase of the project — an alternative landing site for the U.S. Air Force if Andersen Air Force Base in Guam becomes inaccessible — is expected to be completed by October 2025. The $161.8 million phase includes parking aprons for military aircraft.
The second phase, costing $221.7 million, includes a cargo pad, taxiway extension, maintenance support facility and fuel tanks.
“So the project for North Field is ongoing since last year,” Aldan said. “Supposedly, they were supposed to do asphalting this month, but there was a delay in building the asphalt machine. It started with the local permitting issue. It has to go to USEPA and the CNMI Historic Preservation Office.”
Aldan said the Air Force Red Horse unit will handle the final phase of construction. “Definitely not this year. No, they haven’t even paved a single runway,” he said.
He noted that the project has provided jobs for Tinian residents. “So far, it provides employment. It’s still there, but I still urge the subcontractors to continue to hire locals because they do bring in contract workers.”
Fluor Corporation of Texas is the main contractor and has subcontracted Triple J and Hong Ye Construction. “Those are the two local companies that I know of that have been subcontracted by Fluor,” Aldan said.
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