DPS Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela signed the memorandum with Col. Joh Lee of the U.S. Army 9th Regional Readiness Command from Hawaii.
CNMI Range Master Ambrosio T. Ogumoro said the development of the shooting range facility will cover three phases including the construction of the M203 practice grenade launcher, M16/M4 rifle range, and M249/M240 Bravo machine gun range as well as a three-story control tower and close combat quarter for tactical training.
He said the U.S Army will spend a significant amount for the construction and improvement of the range.
The MOA will allow the U.S. Army Reserve on Saipan to begin utilizing the DPS training facility in Marpi and reduce training expenditure.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Brig. Gen. John Ma, former Judge Edward Manibusan, CNMI civilian aide to the U.S. secretary of the Army and Ogumoro.
Tudela expressed gratitude for the agreement and emphasized that the entire law enforcement in the CNMI will also benefit from the range improvement and save the local government the costs needed for range improvements.
Ogumoro extends recognition to Maj. Gregorio Sablan, the liaison officer between the U.S. Army and DPS, and DPS firearm instructor Dave Hosono for coordinating in the operations of the firing range.
