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US Army reps unable to attend House hearing on construction of shooting range

United States Army Reserve Center - American Samoa
But the Army Reserve is hosting 2 public forums — today and tomorrow
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Because of a “community engagement” this afternoon, the US Army Reserve is not able to participate in a House Public Safety Committee hearing set for 11a.m today, regarding the Modular Small Arms Range (MSAR) being constructed in Tafuna.

But the Army Reserve — over the weekend — reminded members of the community who have concerns and questions over the safety of the indoor shooting range, about today’s MSAR public forum set for 1:30p.m  - 3:30p.m at the Pele Army Reserve assembly hall in Tafuna. The second forum is set for tomorrow — same time and location.

The House committee hearing, followed a request on the House floor two weeks ago by Tualauta Rep. Larry S. Sanitoa, who shared with his colleagues the high number of concerns expressed by parents, teachers, and especially students regarding the safety and security of the MSAR being built between Tafuna High School and South Pacific Academy.

In a Jan. 23rd letter, committee chairman, Rep. Manumaua Wayne Wilson wrote to the US Army Reserve in Tafuna requesting a representative to be present at the shooting range hearing at 11a.m today.

Also requested to testify at the hearing are Police Commissioner, Le’i Sonny Thompson, local Homeland Security director Samana Semo Ve’ave’a, and Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele.

Jon Lee, Command Executive Officer and staff of the 9th Mission Support Command (9th MSC) of the Army Reserve based in Fort Shafter, Hawai’i are on island for two public forums on the indoor shooting range.

In a Jan. 25th response letter, Lee informed Manumaua that the Army Reserve wouldn’t be able to participate in the House committee hearing “due to our community engagement town hall” this afternoon.

At the same time, Lee invited Manumaua, the committee, and all interested community members to attend the 9th MSC - which oversees the local Army Reserve — public forum this afternoon on the MSAR.

“This will be the third separate series of public engagements in American Samoa our command has hosted relating to the construction of the MSAR,” Lee explained. He added that the 9th MSC “would be happy to sit down” with Manumaua and any member of the Fono, “immediately following” this afternoon’s public forum to address any questions or concerns.

At the public forum, Lee said 9th MSC “will have representatives from our command, engineering, training, safety and legal staff sections present to answer inquiries”. They will return to Honolulu tonight.

According to the US Army, the MSAR is a 360 degree enclosed shooting bay that will meet federal safety and environmental requirements. The facility will support weapon skills training to promote combat readiness for all Army Reserve soldiers in American Samoa and may be utilized by ASG agencies under the Army Reserve’s supervision.

For more information on the forums, contact Army Reserve Maj. Ulisses Taymes at 699-9384 or 254-0888 or email <ulisses.taymes.mil@mail.mil>