6 May 2008

Northern Marianas crucial to relocation, says US military

9:25 pm on 6 May 2008

American military officials say securing the Northern Marianas for training ranges is crucial to the movement of US troops from Okinawa to Guam.

The Marianas Variety reports that Brigadier General Rex McMillian, the deputy commander of the U.S. Marines in the Pacific, and Rear Admiral William French, briefed CNMI lawmakers about the planned relocation of 8,000 U.S Marines from Okinawa and their 9,000 dependents to Guam.

General McMillian says Tinian, a former forward base of the American forces during World War II , will be used as a "warm base."

Two-thirds of public lands on Tinian is leased to the U.S. military.

According to the military officials, the warm base can accommodate as many as 3,500 troops for training purposes at any given time.

There are plans for the area to also be used by U.S. military allies like Australia for joint military drills.