By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
The U.S. Department of Defense is seeking to secure the Federated States of Micronesia’s borders, lining up several projects throughout the Pacific nation designed to boost regional security.
FSM officials received project updates from defense officials during the 2024 Joint Committee Meeting held Nov. 13 and 14 in Chuuk.
“This two-day meeting brought together officials from both nations to discuss key aspects of their bilateral defense and security partnership under the Compact of Free Association,” according to a press release from the FSM government.
COFA grants the U.S. exclusive defense rights in the FSM, thwarting potential intrusions by other foreign countries such as China.
The agreement allows the U.S. to build defense sites in the FSM. Under the compact, the U.S. “has free access to and unrestricted control of the defense sites” as well as their surrounding areas including “seabeds, water areas and air space” deemed “necessary for their use, security and defense."
Based on the agreement, any rent or other use fees charged by the affected landowners will be paid by the U.S. directly to the FSM government “on behalf of its citizens.”
Besides the $37 million Yap airport rehabilitation funded by the Federal Aviation Authority in 2021, the U.S. Air Force is also proposing a $400 million airfield project in the state.
“The U.S. Air Force provided updates on the ongoing airfield modernization project in Yap,” the FSM government said.
The project is designed to accommodate U.S. military operations in the strategically important Pacific region in response to China’s military buildup.
“Development of Yap airport is essential because there are very few divert or contingency airfields available as potential United States defense sites in the region,” according to the Air Force’s 2025 budget request submitted to Congress.
During the Joint Committee Meeting, U.S. defense officials briefed the FSM government on the status of other infrastructure projects, including the airfield modernization and seaport upgrades in Yap, commercial port improvements in Kosrae, the construction of a pre-engineered warehouse in Pohnpei and basic harbor infrastructure enhancements in Chuuk.
“These projects are aimed at improving FSM’s critical infrastructure and supporting regional security,” the FSM government said.
The Joint Committee Meeting also discussed “proposals for future military operations, activities and investments” as well as the FSM’s concerns about maritime security and enforcement challenges.
Leonito Bacalando Jr., the FSM’s justice secretary, told the U.S. panel that local law enforcers urgently need training programs and U.S. assistance in patrolling the nation’s exclusive economic zone.
“The presentation underscored the difficulties caused by mechanical issues with the Guardian-class patrol boats, which have hindered FSM’s maritime enforcement capabilities,” the FSM government said.
“Discussions explored the possibility of utilizing U.S. Coast Guard cutters to transport humanitarian goods to FSM’s outer islands when operational in the region.”
The FSM panel was led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Lorin Robert, while the U.S. team was headed by Jennifer Johnson, U.S. ambassador to the FSM, with Rear Admiral Gregory Huffman, commander of the Joint Task Force Micronesia.
The two-day meeting also tackled the FSM’s request for the reinstatement of the Civic Action Team camps in the four states.
CAT is a military-led program that assists with community construction projects, facility maintenance and training initiatives. CAT camps in the FSM were shut down in 2003 and replaced by the Humanitarian Assistance-FSM program, which has similar functions minus the camps.
Under the replacement program, visiting military troops, such as the Marine Forces Pacific's Task Force Moana and the Pacific Fleet's Pacific Partnership, have assisted the FSM with small projects.
From August to September, the Marine Forces and the Pacific Fleet conducted small-scale construction projects, health training and other community engagements in Kosrae and Yap, the FSM government said.
Officials announced that Pohnpei and Chuuk will host the Pacific Partnership missions scheduled for August to September 2025.
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