The Northern Marianas will allow the US air force to use the international airport on Tinian if the Anderson Air Force Base on Guam is rendered unusable.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The CNMI has agreed to a request by the US Air Force to use Tinian as an alternative landing site.
The Pacific Air Force Divert and Exercise airport layout plan calls for the military to release $US375 million to improve the island's airport.
The Commonwealth Ports Authority board unanimously backed the plan during a board meeting on Tinian on Tuesday.
It's the first time the US military has unveiled concrete plans to develop Tinian since it started leasing two-thirds of the island in the 1970s.
The Tinian mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas said the improvements could lead to more international flights in the future.