To counter China, US revamps second world war-era Pacific airfield that launched nuclear bombings of Japan
- Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific is spurring the recovery of a slew of abandoned runways at Tinian island airfield
- Satellite images show the extent of the work under way, including a new tarmac built just north of the civilian airport
But as the Americans hack away at the jungle overgrowth at Tinian island airfield and other old, World War II-era bases across the region, it will not be with Japan on their mind.
Rather, it’s Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific that is spurring the recovery of a slew of abandoned runways on the 100 sqkm (40 square mile) speck of land that makes up Tinian, part of the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“Rehabilitation of World War II-era airfields has provided Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) a rapidly executable avenue to enhance infrastructure in the region,” a spokesperson said.
Though the statement mentioned a “sense of urgency” enabling PACAF to “enhance … warfighting capability and improve deterrent posture alongside Allies and partners,” it did not mention China directly.
But Washington’s plans for what officials have described as “an extensive” facility on Tinian comes amid a serious military pivot to the Pacific in recent years – and as China builds its own new bases in the region, including in disputed waters.