By MARK RABAGO
Saipan Correspondent
GARAPAN, Saipan — The U.S. Air Force’s timeline for the completion of the Tinian Divert Airfield project is around 2027, according to Lt. Gen. Laura Lenderman, deputy commander of Pacific Air Forces.
“Our goal is to complete the projects within the next two years. The timeline depends on how fast the environmental assessments and studies are accomplished; however, the Air Force stands ready to accelerate our work once we get the green light," she said in an interview after the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Armed Forces Committee meet-and-greet at Crowne Plaza Resort & Spa Saipan on Jan. 10.
Lenderman told the Journal the Air Force is happy with progress in Tinian.
"From the air component perspective, the CNMI plays a critically important strategic role in our theater posture plan, and we are pleased with the progress of our projects on Tinian. In close coordination with the local communities, we’re working to ensure we remain on our timelines, and we’re working hard to maintain momentum. At this point, we're in a good position to accelerate from here."
With an undertaking of the scope of the Tinian Divert Airfield project, Lenderman said PACAF has encountered a few hiccups.
“A significant challenge has been ensuring the environmental approval process remains on track. It’s important that we get it right as the Air Force places a high priority on the environmental concerns of the community. We continue to work with the [U.S. Department of Defense] and local officials to identify ways to mitigate environmental risk whenever possible."
PACAF is also busy with construction of facilities in other Micronesian islands, particularly in Palau and Yap, Federated States of Micronesia.
"Yap and Palau also play an important role as we work to build resiliency in our theater posture plan. We have several projects supporting the air domain in both locations. While every community and every project have their own challenges, we are working with key stakeholders in the local governments to ensure we understand their concerns and will strive for alignment with their equities.”
While Guam continues to serve as the tip of the spear for the U.S. military in the region, PACAF is also cognizant of the role other parts of the Second Island Chain plays in the nation’s defense.
“The CNMI, FSM, Palau, and other partners play a critical role in our national security and defense strategy to include providing geographical and positional advantages to effectively respond to crises and defend common interests in the region. Many of our exercises today are designed to strengthen our ability to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief responses, increase our joint training with other military services, and improve air domain awareness. [The] CNMI and other partners will absolutely be a linchpin in every scenario," Lenderman said.
The U.S. Air Force continues to support the Singapore Air Force’s plan to deploy half of its F-15 fleet, or about 12 planes, to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, along with the building of accompanying infrastructure with the detachment set to be established by 2029, she said.
"The Singapore Air Force is an important partner in this region, and we continue to work with them to develop their posture plan in the theater, taking into account the changing dynamics in the region. PACAF will continue to support their plans as they develop them in order to optimize all of the resources in the theater for the Great Power Competition while we close gaps through deliberate partnerships and modernization programs."
As to anticipating any changes to PACAF’s plans in the region of President-elect Trump, Lenderman said they can only wait for their marching orders.
"I anticipate we will gain greater clarity and guidance following the inauguration. President Trump has already made statements regarding his concept of peace through strength, and his appointed leadership will shape his National Defense Strategy. PACAF remains committed to continuously prepare and posture for ongoing Great Power Competition and will continue to demonstrate strength, resilience and resolve to uphold and defend regional stability, security, and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific."
According to Journal files, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the NMI government, and the U.S. Department of Defense signed a 40-year lease agreement worth $21.9 million for the Tinian Divert Airfield project.
The project was originally planned for three distinct phases, but skyrocketing costs made that impractical.
On Nov. 30, 2021, Black Micro Corp. in the NMI was awarded a $161.82-million firm-fixed-price contract for “site development and for the construction of an aircraft parking apron and taxiway at the Tinian International Airport,” or a re-fashioned Phase 1. Work is due to be completed in October 2025, and the groundbreaking for the airfield was held on Feb. 22, 2022.
The contract amount for Phase II of the project is about $221.7 million and was awarded to Black Micro on April 19, 2023.
Fluor Corp. was awarded a five-year, $409 million contract for new paving at Tinian’s North Field. mbj