June 29, 2025, 9:07 pm
China will soon face a new challenge as the US is restoring an old base in the region.
Originally constructed in 1944–45, North Field on Tinian was one of the largest airbases of World War II. Designed to support the B‑29 Superfortress, it boasted four 8,500-foot runways, parking space for over 500 bombers, and accommodations for nearly 40,000 personnel—earning it the distinction of being the world’s largest airfield at the time. Most notably, it served as the launch site for the atomic bombing missions that dropped Little Boy and Fat Man on Japan.
Following the end of WWII, the base was abandoned and gradually overtaken by vegetation.
In recent years, however, the U.S. military has undertaken extensive efforts to reclaim and restore North Field. Between 2023 and 2025, satellite imagery reveals that more than 20 million square feet of old pavement have been cleared and refurbished. Joint teams of U.S. Air Force engineers, Navy Seabees, and Marine units have repaved key runways, taxiways, and apron areas to make the site operational for modern aircraft.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes why the US military reclaiming North Field on Tinian will complicate China’s military calculus?
#defenseupdates #Tinian #usvschina
Chapters:
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00:11 INTRODUCTION
01:33 SPONSORSHIP – NordVPN
02:07 GEOGRAPHIC AND STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
03:50 OPERATIONAL USE CASES AND CAPABILITIES
06:29 ANALYSIS
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