US Air Force Reclaims Historic Pacific Airfield to Counter China

The US Air Force plans to reclaim the Pacific island airfield of Tinian, which launched the atomic bombings of Japan during World War II, in order to expand its basing options and counter China. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of Pacific Air Forces, stated that Tinian's North Airfield will become an extensive facility once reclaimed from the jungle. The Air Force is also adding facilities at Tinian International Airport. The reclamation project is part of the US military's Agile Combat Employment strategy, which aims to disperse forces and complicate adversary planning. The move comes as the US seeks to mitigate threats from China and ensure the ability to strike back in the event of an attack on concentrated air bases.