According to retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Edward Lynch, the military exercises will result in increased port visits.
These visits will be necessary to provide military personnel rest and recreation activities, he added.
The U.S. military wants to upgrade the Mariana Islands Range Complex to adjust its ability to train its forces.
The project’s first stage is now underway and its primary consideration is the environmental impact.
This is why Defense representatives are now soliciting comments for the draft environmental impact statement, Lynch said.
A range complex is formed when men and women of the U.S. military are frequently grouped together to train at a certain area.
It provides U.S. forces with a range of training opportunities that involve varying degrees of complexity and diversity that enhances the training benefits for the troops.
The MIRC is unique because of its location in the Western Pacific where deployed forces can maintain war fighting proficiencies.
Lynch, however said there is no infrastructure development included in the proposal.
“We are not looking at any type of new infrastructure for any of these islands. This is a continuing activity and has nothing to do with development of infrastructure even on Guam,” Lynch said.
