Yap Defense Projects Form US Power Projection in Micronesia

Cagurangan, Mar-Vic (2025-06-31). "Yap Defense Projects Form US Power Projection in Micronesia". Marianas Variety. Saipan, Mariana Islands. p. 3.

• Has attachment: File:9BAQL8PL.pdf

Abstract: The article outlines U.S. Department of Defense plans to expand and upgrade infrastructure on Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia to support rotational deployments and power projection across the western Pacific. The largest component is a $400 million airport project—including runway extensions, aprons, taxiways, staging areas, and fuel storage—intended to host regular cargo and fighter aircraft landings while maintaining compliance with FAA safety standards. Complementing this are proposed seaport improvements at Tamil Harbor, such as dredging and wharf reconstruction, to accommodate occasional mooring by U.S. and allied vessels. Together, these investments fall within broader Pentagon spending of up to $2 billion across the FSM and are framed under Compact of Free Association defense obligations, which grant the U.S. exclusive security rights in the region.

Rather than establishing a permanent base, the U.S. seeks a “lily-pad” model of temporary access, aligning with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment strategy of dispersing forces beyond Guam and Hawai‘i. The plan envisions two major exercises each year involving about 100 personnel over two weeks, along with multiple weekly landings, while also enhancing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacity. Although the projects promise civilian benefits in safety, connectivity, and emergency response, they raise environmental, cultural, and community concerns—particularly around dredging, staging areas, and fuel storage—that will be addressed through environmental review and consultation with Yapese authorities. An operational control agreement between Yap’s government and DoD is already in place to coordinate the next steps.