Setting the stage to establish Am Samoa as a hub for U.S. in the Pacific

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga met with U.S. Army Pacific Commanding General Charles A. Flynn earlier this week to discuss American Samoa’s future plans on establishing itself as a hub for the U.S. in the Pacific region.

Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga met with U.S. Army Pacific Commanding General Charles A. Flynn earlier this week to discuss American Samoa’s future plans on establishing itself as a hub for the U.S. in the Pacific region where one of the subjects they discussed was the potential presence of the National Guard. [ASG photo]

MAJ Jerrod T. Avegalio, a Leone native, assisted the governor and his delegation to meet with the Command General.

The rising power and influence of China in the Pacific region prompted the Lemanu Administration to take preliminary steps to build up American Samoa’s defense economically and strategically.

Three important topics were discussed during the meeting:

●          General Commander’s decision to deploy a civil affairs team to conduct an assessment in American Samoa, with the aim of assisting in the development of better strategic planning capabilities;

●          Facilitating the re-commencement of Space A military travel options that were suspended during the pandemic and specifically the C17 and C130 flights that have the potential to provide travel options for both military personnel and veterans; and

●          The potential presence of the National Guard to provide support as needed. An upcoming meeting among Commanders is scheduled this week wherein General Flynn will address the issue with National Guard leadership.

The discussion provided the opportunity to strengthen relationships between the United States and the Pacific Region through maximizing future opportunities, while the discussion topics demonstrated the federal government's commitment to supporting American Samoa and improving its strategic readiness.

Earlier when the governor transited Hawaii on his way to the SelectUSA Summit, he met with the U.S. Pacific Fleet Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Blake L. Converse in a round table discussion where improving workforce capabilities and growing the workforce were identified as part of the crucial factors for further economic development in American Samoa.

Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga met in late April with the U.S. Pacific Fleet Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Blake L. Converse where they discussed education opportunities for American Samoan shipyard workers as part of ASG’s push to be ready to act as a hub for the U.S. in the Pacific region. [ASG photo]

Lemanu talked about expanding American Samoa's foreign investment opportunities in the shipyard industry as a viable option for creating more jobs and sustainable economic development.  He emphasized that American Samoa must prioritize the development of a skilled workforce, where training opportunities have been limited due to geographical constraints.

Admiral Converse acknowledged that there are training programs available in Hawaii that could benefit Am Samoa’s current shipyard workers. The Admiral discussed how private and Naval Shipyards in Hawaii offer various training programs that would provide invaluable skills and knowledge transferable to the AS community.

Admiral Converse lived as a young man with his family in Am. Samoa where his brother graduated from Marist High School and his sister from Leone High.