Tinian’s growing strategic importance in the U.S. military strategy is drawing both support and concern from the residents.
The Department of Defense (DoD) is gathering public input on its proposed military expansion in Tinian, which would include live-fire ranges, a base camp, communications infrastructure, and a biosecurity facility.
This feedback will help shape the final environmental impact statement for the CNMI Joint Military Training program.
Mark Hashimoto, executive director of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, says Tinian is well-suited for large-scale training, which could happen in the spring of next year.
“The environmental impact statement uses the metric of activities involving up to 1000 personnel quarterly,” Hashimoto said. “Happening sometime after the spring of 2026, so no sooner than that.”
Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan says the military buildup could bring over a billion dollars in investment over the next 15 to 20 years.
“Of course, I endorsed it,” said the mayor. “I have said to them four things: don't mess around with the environment, be truthful. Hire our people and give our people opportunity to do business with you folks,” Aldan added.
However, some advocates warn that the environmental impact may differ from what military officials present and what the boots on the ground say.
