U.S. Military Plans to Use Pagan Island Again-- Part 1

From the May 20, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Pagan Games" by David S. Cloud.

"Saipan, Northern Marianas--  The tiny Pacific Island of Pagan is a lost world of deserted black sand, feral pigs and huge fruit bats.  Two active volcanoes, one at each end of the spoon-shaped isle, rise over a deep blue horizon.

"A rusting Japanese Zero fighter lies near a derelict Japanese-built runway still pock-marked with craters from an American bomber attack seven decades ago in World War II."

Now, the USMC wants the island to go to war again on a regular basis.  The Pentagon had proposed leasing the entire 18-square-mile island for use in live-fire amphibious invasion practice.

There is some question as to why the Marines need amphibious practice since they haven't done one since the invasion of Inchon in Korea 65 years ago.

But, there are plans for practice at Pagan Island at least 16 weeks a year.  Troops from Japan, Australia and South Korea might use it as well.  Imagine American and Japanese troops operating together this time.

--GreGen

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