Proposed IRT projects focus on essential infrastructure and healthcare

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — US Army Reserve leaders met with Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga and government stakeholders this past Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 to discuss the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission and proposed projects.

A press release from the Governor’s Office explains that the IRT is a Department of Defense military opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories, that delivers joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness. Simultaneously, IRT provides key services such as health care, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity.

Reserve members at the meeting included Colonel George Koklanaris, Major Daniel LaVorgna, Major Hanna Vaoauli, Master Sergeant Bradley D. Wilson, and Sergeant Monica Oliver.

Government departments that have submitted IRT applications are Homeland Security, Education, Public Safety and Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA).

Prior to this meet, a preliminary meeting was held on January 17, 2024 to brief Directors who have had their mission applications ready for submission. In attendance were Director Samana S. Ve’ave’a (DHS), Director Talauega Samasoni (DOE), Director Lefega Faamao Asalele (AS-EPA), Assistant Director Victor Tuiasosopo (DOC), and Ted Leiato (ASTCA).

The IRT team conducted site visits this past week.

Key details discussed in Monday’ meeting included IRT proposed missions for American Samoa, which include the following projects:

• Emergency Operation Centers on the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta’u
 to enhance overall preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities during emergencies and disasters.
• Additional K9 Kennels under Public Safety, ensuring safe and adequate space for K-9 agents to live and train. K-9 agents are a critical part of the department’s vision and goal in protecting and safeguarding the general public.
• Road Improvements for District #13, Fofo County to improve access roads to one of the most rural areas, benefiting about 100 families in this particular area.
• Hardening of Shoreline (Seawall) to protect erosion of the Hawaiki Cable Landing area.
• Hawaiki Cable Landing Shoreline assistance in hardening shoreline and constructing hard structures to prevent erosion across the Cable Landing Shorelines. This includes military civil engineers and construction SMEs.
• Renovate Access Ramps in 26 Schools including design, construct, and improve access ramps for individuals with disabilities in schools across American Samoa.
• Improve, Expand and Streamline current Public Health Services Territorial-Wide, improving public health services in primary health care, vision, dental. Behavioral, children and adolescent-health services.
• Veterinary services, women’s health, geriatric health services, drug and alcohol rehab, and environmental health.
• Operation Cybersecurity Training for Police personnel to prepare for cyber threats, and identify vulnerabilities.

Gov. Lemanu commended Colonel Koklanaris and the team for assisting the American Samoa Government with identifying critical projects that will serve the needs of the American Samoa community.

Most of the projects that will be submitted focus on essential infrastructure and healthcare service developments.