Photo: supplied
The top military affairs official in the CNMI said that while geopolitical tensions continue to make headlines, the region's most immediate and consistent threat remains environmental.
"Mother Nature is still our biggest threat out here," said Edward Camacho, special assistant to the CNMI governor for military affairs.
"We deal with typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions - you name it."
Camacho made the remarks during an extended interview last week, highlighting how military activity - despite being framed as a response to rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific - is also about readiness in the face of natural disasters and operational necessity.
He said the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs, which he leads, plays a key coordinating role in all US Department of Defense-related activity in the Northern Marianas, ranging from military exercises to the divert airfield project on Tinian and upgrades at airports and seaports throughout the islands.
"There is no plan for permanent basing here. What we're seeing is a focus on rotational training," Camacho said.
"The US military needs places to train - land, air, and sea. And the CNMI provides strategic value on all fronts."
Billions in contracts, but little local benefit
While military activity is seen as a potential lifeline for the CNMI's struggling economy, Camacho was candid about the limited economic benefits trickling down to local businesses.
"We're talking about close to US$500 million in activity in one year alone," he said.
"But the reality is most of those contracts are awarded to off-island companies. So, much of that money leaves the Commonwealth."
Camacho called it a form of "capital flight" that undermines the long-term economic promise of military investment.
"We see the impacts at the surface level - hotels, restaurants, car rentals, and catering companies do get a boost - but those are peanuts compared to what's leaving."
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He urged better enforcement of CNMI tax laws to ensure that companies doing business in the territory pay their fair share.
"If you're building airfields or infrastructure here, you should be registered here, paying BGRT here, and following our laws," he said.
"That's what makes us different - we're not just a US state, but we're not foreign either. We have our own Constitution."
Camacho added that his office has been working closely with the Department of Defense to flag concerns over compliance and keep military partners informed of local requirements.
Economic role of military expanding - but cautiously
Asked whether military activity could realistically replace tourism as the CNMI's primary economic driver, Camacho said it could serve as a significant supplement - but not a guaranteed substitute.
"We've seen economic anchors come and go. Garments left. Casinos collapsed. Tourism is still uncertain. So even military activity, as consistent as it seems now, isn't permanent," he said.
However, Camacho acknowledged that the CNMI's renewed strategic value - especially with the US Indo-Pacific Strategy gaining momentum - puts the islands in a stronger position than in previous decades.
"During the Cold War, we were needed. Then we were forgotten. Now we're needed again. My hope is that even when things cool down, the military doesn't forget us this time."
The Northern Marianas leaders announced a slight increase in revenue collections in the 2024 financial year.
Photo: supplied
Upcoming public hearing on draft EIS
Camacho also previewed an upcoming public forum tied to the release of the new draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for proposed military training activities in the CNMI.
The draft EIS covers activities particularly focused on Tinian and also includes use of the former Voice of America site on Saipan. The latter may serve as an alternate range control station to prevent conflicts between military and commercial air traffic.
"We want transparency. The public will have a chance to review the draft and submit comments," Camacho said.
Stability in rotation policy welcomed
In response to a newly announced Pentagon policy limiting frequent duty station changes for military personnel, Camacho said the move could benefit the CNMI by fostering institutional knowledge.
"If you keep changing out commanders every two years, you spend a lot of time retraining them. If you have someone who stays longer, they get to understand the community, the environment, and how we do things," he said.
While acknowledging concerns that longer assignments could lead to entrenched influence, Camacho emphasized that stability is key for continuity and trust in places like the CNMI.
"We're not trying to teach a new admiral how things work every two years," he said. "We need people who understand the dynamics of this region."
