$79M for 3 divert airfield projects in NDAA conference report—Kilili
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Armed Services Committees released Wednesday the conference report for H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, with several provisions specifically beneficial to the Marianas, including $79 million for continued appropriations for three Air Force divert airfield projects in Tinian.
That’s according to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) in his e-kilili newsletter over the weekend, adding that approval of the conference agreement is expected to be considered on the House floor next week.
Of the $79 million allocated for Tinian projects, $26 million is for Phase 1 (increment 3) of the airfield development, $21 million is to install fuel tanks with pipeline and hydrant (increment3), and $32 million is for a parking apron (increment 3), Sablan said.
The first and second phases of the divert airfield will allow the U.S. Air Force to use Tinian as an alternative landing site or a divert airfield for its planes in case Anderson Air Force Base in Guam is inaccessible due to war or calamities.
The groundbreaking to mark the start of the construction work for the divert airfield project was held in February 2022. The project is expected to be completed by 2025.
Sablan said there is also language accompanying H.R. 2670 directing the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure that students applying to the service academies can receive their required medical examinations in the Marianas.
Additional NDAA provisions include a 5.2% pay raise for service members, expanded Basic Needs Allowance to assist low-income service members supporting a family, reduced childcare fees for military families, and continuation of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan
