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04/18/25— The U.S. Air Force will hold a public hearing regarding its proposed projects on Rota at the mayor's office conference hall on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. According to Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, they will discuss the "military footprint on Rota."
The U.S. Air Force will hold a public hearing regarding its proposed projects on Rota at the mayor's office conference hall on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. According to Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, they will discuss the "military footprint on Rota."
At a town hall earlier this month, Mayor Hocog said the military plans to build warehouses, construct a fuel farm, and expand the Benjamin T. Manglona Airport runway in the coming years.
Her office previously stated, " [DOD is] working on land agreements with Commonwealth Ports Authority and environmental clearances to move forward with construction while minimizing disruptions to the community. They are hoping to see this materialize before the end of the year. The military also has long-term plans to expand the airfield by 2028 and improve training exercises for defense operations across U.S. territories."
Hocog has also responded to concerns about the proposed plan's impact on the island. At a town hall in April, the mayor reminded residents that “the military has to go through all our regulatory agencies.” Hocog said that includes the National Environmental Policy Act process, the Historic Preservation Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality.
The Rota Public Information Office will stream the April 30 public hearing live on their Facebook page.
Story by Thomas Manglona II
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This reporting is part of an ongoing series called "On Defense" and is brought to you in collaboration with Our Common Wealth 670.
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