The United States military is looking to build as well as improve certain infrastructures in Palau for its military use and joint use, stated Rear Admiral Gregory Huffman, Senior Military Official, INDOPACOM after the Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) held in Palau this month.
In addition to the TACMOR (Tactical Multi-Mission Over the Horizon Radar) project in Peleliu and Ngaraard states, the US military plans to work on the airfield and the south port in Peleliu State.
“Palau is an incredibly important nation and a great partner of ours. And we are looking to work on the airfield in Peleliu and potentially the south port area, the old area from WWII. These are projects that will be ongoing as well as the work going on at Malakal port and some extensive projects there,” said Rear Admiral Huffman, adding, “Again, we are working very hard …in getting the right infrastructure for a long-term build-up.”
In 2021, the US military was requested by former President Tommy Remengesau Jr. to come and build infrastructures for joint use, to benefit both Palau and the United States. The TACMOR project was one such project, expected to assist Palau with monitoring its EEZ for Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported fishing activities.
President Whipps’s recent discussions and invitation to have Patriot missiles permanently based in Palau drew opposing reactions from the Senate. Senate passed a joint resolution opposing such a decision and calling on the United States to seek more benign ways to address the issue.