TINIAN Mayor Edwin P. Aldan said he supports the Department of Defense training activities “as long as they are comparable to our way of life.”
Aldan, the other members of the Tinian leadership and the CNMI Bureau of Military Affairs, met last week with officials of Marine Forces Pacific, the Indo-Pacific Command, and Joint Region Marianas.
The visiting military officials led by MARFORPAC Executive Director Maj. Gen. Mark A, Hashimoto engaged CNMI public officials as well as members of the community in a dialogue about the updated Environmental Impact Statement Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives on the Tinian Divert Airfield.
In an interview after the meeting, Aldan said the Tinian leadership has been very clear and consistent about its support for DoD training activities on Tinian, “as long as they are comparable to our way of life, and…will mutually benefit both the DoD and the people of Tinian.”
The mayor said during the three-day meeting, Maj. Gen. Hashimoto and the CNMI Joint Military Training or CJMT working group provided an overview of the revised Environmental Impact Statement.
Aldan said he was pleased to see that most of Tinian’s concerns regarding the initial CJMT proposal are being addressed to reduce the impact on the island’s environment and way of life.
“I thought this meeting was great thanks to Maj. Gen. Mark Hashimoto and his team, CBMA and all who played a role in these efforts,” Aldan said.
He said he and other Tinian leaders are looking forward to the DoD officials’ return sometime in August to hold meetings with Tinian community members.
“I encourage everyone to attend and hear what is being proposed in the revised CJMT proposal and please do not hesitate to ask questions,” Aldan said.
Edwin Aldan
