Why Is the U.S. Now Modernizing a Giant Military Base on Tinian Island in the Pacific, Abandoned Since World War II?
The United States is rapidly modernizing and upgrading a military airfield on Tinian Island, which has remained unused since World War II, as part of preparations for a potential military conflict with China.
This small island, located in the western Pacific Ocean, has become a key strategic point for strengthening the U.S. military presence in a region where rising tensions signal a possible confrontation.
Restoring an Abandoned WWII Base
The airfield on Tinian was a historically significant military base during World War II. It was from this island that American B-29 Superfortress bombers carried out nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
The legendary aircraft
Enola Gay and
Bockscar took off from this very island, permanently embedding Tinian in military history. After the war, the base was gradually abandoned, with the last U.S. air units withdrawing in 1946, allowing nature to reclaim the once-busy runways and hangars.
However, today this airfield is being revived, becoming a crucial part of U.S. strategy in the Pacific, especially in light of increasing tensions with China over Taiwan.
The Pentagon Accelerates Modernization Due to the Threat from China
The airfield restoration is part of the U.S. strategic plan known as
Agile Combat Employment (ACE), designed by the Pentagon to make U.S. military forces more flexible and resilient to potential attacks from Beijing.
The goal of modernization is to disperse military capabilities across smaller, remote bases, reducing the vulnerability of U.S. forces and making it harder for Chinese missile systems to accurately strike key locations.
Tinian Island is an ideal location for this strategy, as it is situated 3,000 km (1,864 miles) from China and 2,400 km (1,491 miles) from the Philippines, while being in close proximity to the U.S. military base on Guam.
Tinian as a Logistics Hub for Military Escalation
The renovated airfield on Tinian could become a key U.S. logistics hub, enabling the rapid deployment of troops and equipment in the event of an escalation of conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
In 2024, the Pentagon awarded a $409 million contract to
Fluor Corporation to carry out the construction work, which is expected to be completed within five years.
By early 2025, a large portion of the area has been cleared, runways have been restored, and supporting infrastructure has been reinforced.
"Progress will become even more evident in the coming months," stated General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces.
The U.S. Invests Billions in the Pacific as Part of War Preparations
Funding for the airfield restoration comes from the Pentagon's 2025 budget, which allocates $4.8 billion for military projects in the Pacific.
The high costs are justified by logistical challenges, as delivering materials and labor to this remote island significantly increases operational expenses compared to projects on the U.S. mainland.
This move by the U.S. is part of a broader military plan to ensure dominance in the Pacific and prepare for a potential response to China's increasingly aggressive military expansion, particularly concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea.
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