Northern Marianas Training Sites Key To U.S. Military, Officers Say
(Marianas Variety)
Senior U.S. military officers say use of Northern Mariana Islands as training sites is crucial to the redeployment of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam, the Marianas Variety reports.
Brig. Gen. Rex McMillan, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, and Rear Adm. William French, commander of U.S. naval forces in the Marianas, briefed Northern Marianas lawmakers on the U.S. military buildup in the region, which is focused on Guam.
McMillan said the Northern Marianas island of Tinian, which would be used for large-scale training exercises, is a key element in the buildup plans. He also said foreign military forces, such as those from Australia, would also likely use the Tinian training facilities with U.S. troops.
Northern Marianas Gov. Benigno Fitial said he expects U.S. military planners to work with his government as they consider training sites in commonwealth.
“We read in the media about possible military uses on Tinian, Pagan, the most Northern islands, and recently
