Leidig: War on terror to last this century

Newly assigned U.S. Naval Forces Marianas commander Rear Admiral Charles J. Leidig expressed yesterday his deep sadness over the death of two CNMI soldiers in Iraq.

“Whenever I learn of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, I’m deeply moved. When I was commandant of the naval academy over the last two years, we regrettably had alumni that died in combat…,” he said.

“Being in memorials, I’ve met moms, fathers, brothers and sisters. I’ve learned that there’s really no way to make any family feel any better or to be able to comfort them in any way so we just do the best way we can to make sure that the families are taken care of,” Leidig told reporters.

The military provides benefits to survivors of slain soldiers.

Two soldiers from Saipan, Derence Jack, 31, and Wilgene Lieto, 28, were killed in Iraq when a bomb blew up while they were on patrol Monday night.

They were part of the Echo Company, consisting of U.S. Army Reserve members who were called to active duty in August 2004. After months of training, they left for a one-year tour of duty in Iraq in January this year.

Jack, who is from Gualo Rai, worked as cash department manager at Bank of Guam while Lieto was a police officer from Tanapag.

This brings to three the number of soldiers from the CNMI who have been killed in Iraq. Former Saipan resident, U.S. Army sergeant Yinjyh “Eddie” Lang Chen was the first CNMI casualty in Iraq.

Leidig said in his presentation at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce general meeting yesterday that, based on the military estimate, the war on terror would last this century.

“Our [COMNAVMAR] goal is to help the U.S. military to win the global war on terror. This war will last this century…or at least in the next two generations. We are fighting [this war] for our children and our grandchildren,” he said.

It is for this reason, he said, that the Marianas plays a key role in GWOT [global war on terror]—being a host to the regional naval base.

COMNAVMAR, which is based in Guam is the hub of the U.S. military in the Western Pacific. Located 3,300 miles west of Hawaii, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas serves as the Defense Representative to U.S. Pacific Fleet and is the regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnel and shore activities in Guam.

Leidig assumed command of the regional base in June 2005. His areas of jurisdiction covers Guam, the CNMI, Palau, and the Federal State of Micronesia—Yap, Chuuk, Phonpei, and Kosrae.