A United States Air Force (USAF) is renovating an air base in the Pacific Ocean that hasn't been used since WWII. North Field on Tinian Island in the Marianas Archipelago was one of the largest US bases during the conflict and was used by B-29 Superfortress bombers to attack Japan, including in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The US House and Senate Armed Services committees approved funding of US$79 million for the restoration of the former North Field, with US$26 million for Phase 1 Airfield Development, US$21 million for pipeline fuel tanks and fire hydrant and US$32 million for the parking lot.
About a week ago, a USAF engineering squadron arrived on Tinian to begin renovating two of North Field's four parallel runways, each 2,4 miles long. The airfield – which was recently used by the US military for training – is overrun with vegetation, which has advanced over the old runways and aprons since the Americans left the site 76 years ago.
In an interview, General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of the Pacific Air Forces, stated that the military is intensifying work to recover the base. “If you pay attention over the next few months, you will see significant progress, especially on Tinian North”, said.
The renovation of the Tinian air base is part of the United States' response to the growing threat posed by China. Through the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, the USAF has been looking for ways to operate aircraft from dispersed airports without much infrastructure, since large bases would be primary targets in an eventual conflict. He explains that ACE makes it difficult for the enemy to “aim”. Even if the bases receive attacks, the US would still have “the preponderance of its forces”, through the distribution of resources.
Tinian Island was captured by the US in 1944 in a surprise attack by the Marine Corps. Once control was established, the US Navy's engineering group, the Seabees, began construction of North Field, which received four runways and apron for 265 B-29 bombers.
It was from there that major B-29 missions departed, such as the firebombing of Tokyo and for the invasion of Okinawa. The base was home to the 509th Composite Group, which in August 1945, took off from Tinian to drop the Fat Man and Little Boy atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the War in the Pacific.
After the end of World War II, the US stayed at the base for another two years before abandoning it, maintaining only the installation in Guam, about 200 kilometers away. Vegetation soon began to take over the entire base.
In 2003, one of the runways was partially cleared for assault training. Ten years later a second runway was also partially opened for the landing of a Marine Corps C-130. According to the island's mayor, the renovation should take at least six months.
With information Marianas Variety, Nikkei.
