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The Mariana Islands are still littered with dangerous debris left over from World War II but now, with an eye toward China, the U.S. wants to vastly increase its military presence there.

Pagan residents made it through Spanish colonization, Japanese occupation, World War II and a volcanic eruption. Now many just want to go home again.

Most of Tinian is already under lease to the military. But residents who were expecting a base may now get multiple live-fire ranges that could destroy the island’s environment and devastate its tourism economy.

The military buildup is expected to help Guam’s economy. But will it make the island a target as well?

A Navy plan to bomb Pagan and put a destructive artillery range on Tinian overlooks many potential impacts and suggests little to make up for the destruction.

Little did we know that the island had its own plans for us. Nothing could have prepared us for what was to happen on this trip.

Military officials say they are protecting bird species and other wildlife by confining the target practice to one part of the small island.

Some residents of Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands think it may be time to change the political relationship with the U.S.