US Congressman Rob Wittman says the Northern Marianas and Guam stand to gain economically and security wise from the impending military buildup in the region.
Pagan Island Photo: Supplied
Mr Wittman, a member of the U.S. House Armed Service subcommittee on Readiness, visited Saipan last week along with Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo.
He likened the potential military buildup to what happened to his home state of Virginia.
Mr Wittman said Virginia had seven military bases either in or next to his district and has the largest population of veterans and military personnel in the US.
The Department of Defense plans to use Tinian for live-fire ranges and to lease the entire island of Pagan for training purposes but has faced opposition from local environmental and political groups.