Categories
Tinian

Aerial Shots of Runway Able on Tinian (filmed Dec, 2024)

Recent tour clients Alex & Ryan experienced Saipan as well as Tinian ealier this month. One of the highlights of my “Tinian to Hiroshima” tour involves driving on this historic runway activities from which changed the course of World War  II and human history.

As a result of planned renovation and repaving of the runways for an increased military presence on the island, public access may likely be restricted in the near future.

This is a unique drone’s eye perspective of the runways filmed by Alex and graciously shared with followers of the DiscoverSaipan blog and Youtube channel!

 

Categories
Relocation Q&A

Beware of This “Priority” Mail Service to Saipan!

Are you on Saipan or know someone who is? Are you ordering products on the internet and having them shipped to Saipan? Be careful, this bit of new information might just save you hours of frustration, and weeks and even months of unnecessary delay!

Categories
Tours

Help! Do You Recognize the Statues from These 1944 Saipan Photos?

Are/were you ever living on Saipan? Do you recognize the two statues from these 1944 photos? Where are they now?
The Story: Eighty years ago, Manny Rosa–a member of the Construction Battalion (Seabees) who were stationed here after the Battle of Saipan–contributed his artistic and carpentry talents to restoring and repairing some of the religious statues here on island. Eighty years later, his grandson Jordan Rosa is making a pilgrimage and wishes to find these two statues his grandfather worked on. Are they in a family collection, buried/decomissioned by the church, off island in the mainland or other Pacific island, or are they in storage somewhere? If you have information on what happened to or the present location of either of these statues, please contact  walt@discoversaipan.com text (670) 484-2801 as soon as possible!
The artist
Manuel Francis Rosa. Often called ‘Manny’ or ‘Pete’. Chief Petty Officer 137th Battalion, 595th CBMUsmall statue:
The man on the left is Herb, who helped Manny restore this statue. Manny Rosa, on the right received national press for restoring religious statues while on Saipan during his spare time. This is the last statue prior to being restored.large statue:
CPO Rosa (left) and Herb restoring one of the statues.

 

A few bonus photos:

Garapan Pre-war
After the US Invasion
Seabees Camp on Saipan
Orphan Christmas dinner

Subscribe to be notified of the release of more amazing photos from Manny Rosa’s time on Saipan!

Categories
There's Something About Saipan

Your Free Gifts!

YOUR FREE GIFTS!
In appreciation of your support helping the @discoversaipan Youtube channel achieve the 1,000 subscriber milestone (and even if you didn’t subscribe), you can receive a free copy of There’s Something About Saipan! A Visitor’s Guide To Fantastic Facts, Tantalizing Trivia, Startling Statistics, Dramatic Diaries and Hair-raising History From America’s Most Colorful Island Territory!” by Walt Goodridge, the Jamaican on Saipan!

And as we say in Jamaica, to give you a “likkle brawta” (something extra), I’ll also throw in a copy of Ducks in a Row??? How To Find the Courage to Finally Quit Your Soul-draining, Life-sapping, Energy-depleting, Freedom-robbing Job Now…before It’s Too Late…and Live Passionately Ever After! just in case you need a little motivation and inspiration to execute your own escape from the rat race to find your special paradise!

Once you confirm your email address, it will take a few minutes for the system to process before receiving A SEPARATE email titled “Your Freebies!” 

 

Get Your 1000 sub Freebies!

Enter your name & email to receive your free copy of There's Something About Saipan AND Ducks in a Row!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

 

Categories
Thoughts

We did it! 1,000 Youtube Subscribers!

Thanks to all who’ve subscribed and who’ve hung in there to help the DiscoverSaipan Youtube channel reach a community milestone of 1,000 subscribers! Once we get the official confirmation (in about 48 hours), and we’re in the safe zone (1,002+ subscribers) to account for any who may unsubscribe, I’ll have a free gift for everyone! What do I mean, “everyone?” I’ll let Gary Oldman clarify:

[From one of my favorite movies, Leon, The Professional.]

Categories
Tours

Help me test the new Tinian Tour App!

GooglePlay requires that new apps be tested by real people (20 or more) before the apps can be approved for public release. So, I need your help! Once the test version of the app is released, I’ll ask you to
• Go to GooglePlay (I’ll provide a link)
• Download and install the Test Version of the app
• Keep it on your phone for at least 14 days

In return, you’ll receive
• Permanent access and unlimited upgrades to the free version
• The Premium Version (reg. $9.95) absolutely free!
• Any other freebie I can think of!

Sign up below:

Help Me Test the DiscoverTinian Tour App Before It's Released!

GooglePlay requires new apps to be tested by real people before it's approved for release. So, I need your help! Once the app is released, I'll ask you to Go to GooglePlay Download and install the Test Version of the app Keep it on your phone for at least 14 days and use it occasionally

THEN…in return, WHEN THE APP IS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED,
you will be able to: Upgrade to the final version and keep it forever; unlimited upgrades! Get the Premium Edition (reg. $9.95) FREE when it's released

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Categories
Tinian

Latest Update on Tinian Runways! Nov 13, 2024

Categories
Tours

Two Historic Tinian Runways Opened After Decades!

While driving the historic runway “Delta” (as one does), formerly known as “Runway Dog,” we ran into Operations Superintendent Master Sergeant Branson (originally from Texas), who was gracious enough to answer a few impromptu questions about the Tinian Runway revitalization posed by my guests from New Zealand–while the Wall Street Journal reporters were doing their own interview. Check it out: “US Military Clears Historic Tinian Runways”

 

Also:
“Driving on Runway Charlie”

 

“Tinian Runway Update; Sept 6, 2024:

 

INFO ABOUT THE CONTRACTS RECENTLY AWARDED:

AIRFIELD PROJECT
Award: Pavement and Transportation Support North Field, Tinian
Value: $409 million
Location: Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Client: U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency

https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2024/04/10/us-air-force-issues-409-million-award-for-long-sought-pacific-airfield/
https://newsroom.fluor.com/news-releases/news-details/2024/Fluor-Awarded-U.S.-Air-Force-Contract-Augmentation-Program-V-Task-Order-for-Tinian/default.aspx

ADDITIONAL AIRPORT PROJECT
Award: Tinian International Airport project
Value: $222 million
Location: Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Client: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/tutor-perini-subsidiary-wins-222m-airport-project/648982/

 

Categories
Streets of Saipan

Big T’ings on Saipan!

In Jamaica, we say “big t’ings a gwan!” It translates to “big things are going on!” Here on Saipan, the world famous Thursday Night Street Market is back after a multi-year hiatus! Check it out and make sure you plan your next visit to Saipan so you’re here on a Thursday night AND a Saturday morning (for the Såbalu Market)!
Thursday Night Street Market (Walkabout with Walt aka “Waltabout!”):

Categories
Tours

In His Father’s Footsteps

Alan Sonntag’s father participated in the Battle of Saipan. His wife Peggy’s father stormed Utah Beach (Normandy, France) on D-Day. The couple recently visited Saipan on a pilgrimage to have a virtual “Then & Now Father & Child Reunion” with Alan’s father. I had the honor and pleasure of making that wish come true. Read the interview here:

(14 photos are in the slide; click the arrows to view)
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/in-his-fathers-footsteps-a-battle-of-saipan-veterans-son-pilgrimage/article_332556f0-e1ca-11ee-891c-03f2940e3c00.html

Watch it here:

 

 

As promised in the video, here are the photos Alan Sonntag brought with him to Saipan (Leave a comment telling Alan where a given photograph was taken):

1 below(this looks to be the Grotto) 2 below 3 below 4 below 5 below 6 below 7 below 8 below 9 below 10 below 11 below 12 below 13 below 14 below 15 below 16 below 17 below 18 below 19 below 20 below 21 below 22 below 23 below 24 below 25 below 26 below 27 below 28 below 29 below 30 below 31 below 32 below 33 below 34 below 35 below 36 below 37 below 38 below 39 below 40 below 41 below 42 below 43 below