Brigadier General Philip M. Ruhlman, commander of U.S. Air Force 36th Wing stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, assured members of the legislature during a Joint House Courtesy at Capitol Hills yesterday.
Senate President Pete P. Reyes and House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, together with members of both Houses, met with Gen. Ruhlman, accompanied by Col. Tod Fingal, commander of 36th Wing Operations Group.
Legislators took turns in asking concerns with Gen. Ruhlman after a power point presentation about the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
Copy of the U.S. military master plan relative to the Northern Mariana Islands was among the legislators’ requests.
From recruitment of air force reservists in the community, environmental impact of live fire exercises and up to the overall impact of the military build-up in the Northern Mariana Islands and the region in general, were among the concerns brought by legislators to Gen. Ruhlman’s attention.
Gen. Ruhlman has assured legislators to bring their concerns to Rear Admiral Douglas Biesel, commander of Joint Region Marianas.
“That is the purpose of my visit, to be transparent an d to communicate,” Gen. Ruhlman informed the legislators.
The general clarified though with legislators that his response was only limited in his capacity as “an airman,” and not to other military policy directions.
As such, he lauded among others the capability of the Saipan airport, from its infrastructure to readiness of fire department to respond to emergencies.
“Saipan is very, very important for me. The preparedness of the fire department for its day-to-day operations. This island is very strategic,” says Gen. Ruhlman, referring to possible use of Saipan airstrip in case of emergency or humanitarian deployment of US military aircrafts.
