Embedded Files
10/31//2025 - Joint Task Force Micronesia Commander Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky said the U.S. military could’ve done a better job in giving more contracts to local companies for their ongoing military projects in Micronesia.
Answering a question from Yap Sen. John Mafel during the second day of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures General Assembly at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan last Oct. 27, Lasky said it was not only in Yap that the military had shortcomings in giving preference to local companies, but also in the CNMI.
“We are looking into how contracts were [awarded]. Just for instance, during exercise REFORPAC here in the CNMI, where, you know, I certainly think, you know, some economic benefit was experienced for the exercise, but I also think that in certain circumstances, we didn't do the best of making sure that the business was going to local vendors, so that's something we need to continue to work on as well,” he said.
Mafel earlier said that Yap hasn’t really reaped the economic benefits of the military development on their island, promised earlier by former U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John C. Aquilino.
“This very first contract that's awarded in Yap for the military to remove the debris and junk cars there, or the planned site for the dock, and some of the areas. The company that got that and then subcontracted to somebody else is Amentum, and through Amentum to some other company that seems to have Yap's representative, but it's not a Yapese company. It's some other state's owned company in Yap, so as far as real benefits for ourselves, yes, with $2.3 billion or something, maybe they're coming and going, and we're not really realizing any benefits,” he said.
Amentum is a U.S. government and commercial services contractor that provides engineering, technical, and scientific solutions for defense, space, and intelligence missions, including a wide range of military services like vehicle maintenance, base operations, and program support.
It can be recalled that the U.S. military faced similar criticism when a Texas-based company was awarded a $238,706 catering contract that provided three to-go style meals a day to up to 600 U.S. Air Force personnel who trained in the CNMI last July and August.
Going back to his conversation with Aquilino, Mafel said Yap was really expecting to get some economic benefit from the military buildup on their island.
“I raised back then was that when the movement does come, they make sure to use our fuel, our local fuel company, so that our prices go down, and the other part is to also use local labor when you have construction as much as possible and local vendors, so that we realize some other benefits,” he said.
During his APIL presentation, Lasky briefed Pacific lawmakers on the mission and priorities of JTFM, which was established in June 2024 to provide a unified U.S. defense presence across Guam, the CNMI, the FSM, Palau, and the Marshall Islands.
He emphasized that homeland defense extends beyond the continental U.S. to include all territories, commonwealths, and freely associated states. Lasky said the Indo-Pacific is the most consequential region of the 21st century, highlighting its strategic importance amid rising geopolitical competition.
Lasky outlined JTFM’s focus on maintaining peace and stability through cooperation, deterrence, and resilience. He underscored that security in the Pacific must be a shared effort among governments, communities, and militaries.
Key initiatives include humanitarian assistance and disaster response, maritime domain awareness, infrastructure resilience, and cybersecurity. He cited cooperation during Typhoon Mawar and regional exercises such as Pacific Partnership, COPE North, and Koa Moana as examples of joint progress.
Lasky also said JTFM is promoting local participation in military-related infrastructure projects to create long-term employment and skills development opportunities. He stressed respect for local culture and environmental responsibility in all U.S. operations.
He closed by reaffirming that deterrence, transparency, and partnership are vital to preserving peace in the Pacific.
Report by Mark Rabago
Report abuse