A Call for Peace, Protection, and Preservation

As the U.S. military carries out its Exercise Resolute Force Pacific in Palau, complete with the public display of warplanes like the KC-135 Stratotanker and the F-35 Lightning II, many of us in the community are left asking: What is the real cost of this show of force?

While the event is packaged as “Palau Community Day,” the deeper implications of militarization should not be overlooked. These aircraft are not symbols of peace—they are weapons of war. The same jets used to “wow” the public have been used in deadly military campaigns around the world, where innocent civilians, including women and children, continue to suffer the consequences of advanced warfare.

Noise Pollution and Mental Well-being

The loud roar of military jets overhead isn’t just disruptive—it can be deeply distressing. In a peaceful island nation like ours, sudden and sustained aircraft noise is unfamiliar and jarring. These sounds trigger anxiety, especially among children and elders, and can lead to long-term psychological effects. The normalization of such military presence disturbs the calm rhythm of island life and introduces a sense of fear, not safety.

Environmental Harm

Palau’s pristine environment is not built to accommodate heavy military machinery. The jet fuel emissions, increased foot traffic, and potential for mishandled waste from such exercises pose real risks to our fragile ecosystems. Our waters, forests, and skies are home to unique and endangered wildlife—habitats that can be permanently disrupted by sonic booms, jet fuel runoff, and ground vibrations from aircraft operations.

Threat to Tourism and Economic Stability

Tourism is Palau’s main source of revenue, and it thrives on our image as a peaceful, untouched paradise. Warplanes in the sky and military drills on the ground contradict that image. The noise, the militarized atmosphere, and potential environmental damage may drive away tourists seeking tranquility, eco-tourism, and cultural authenticity. What kind of message are we sending to the world when our skies are filled with combat aircraft?

Cultural and Sovereign Erosion

Palau is a sovereign nation with a strong identity rooted in peace, respect for nature, and community. Bringing in military aircraft and personnel under the guise of partnership may slowly shift our values toward a dependency on foreign defense strategies. More importantly, it makes us a target in regional geopolitical tensions without giving us any actual means of protection. Do we have bomb shelters? Air raid drills? Evacuation plans for our people? If not, what protections do these military partnerships truly offer?

Militarization of the Pacific

Palau is not alone. Across the Pacific, island nations are increasingly being used as strategic points in global military agendas. But these islands—our homes—were never meant to be battlegrounds or launchpads for war. The military buildup risks turning our tranquil paradise into a geopolitical chessboard, where we are pawns, not players.

A Better Way Forward

Instead of investing in exercises that glorify war, let us invest in climate resilience, marine conservation, education, and mental health infrastructure. Let us train our youth not in warfare but in diplomacy, environmental science, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. Let us reaffirm our nation’s commitment to peace.

We call on our leaders to listen to the growing concerns of our people and reconsider the direction we are heading. It is not too late to change course. True partnership with any nation begins with respect for our land, our values, and our right to a peaceful future.

Let Palau be known not for warplanes—but for peace, wisdom, and the harmony we’ve protected for generations. By: Manzel Ngirmeriil