WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is poised to make considerable advancements in redeveloping a World War II-era airfield on Tinian in the Pacific. This initiative, aimed at dispersing aircraft throughout the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese missile threats, involves significant construction at Tinian North and Tinian International airfields, according to Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander.

In a recent interview, Wilsbach highlighted imminent progress, particularly at Tinian North. The effort is part of the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment strategy, a marked shift from post-Cold War tactics, focusing on dispersing aircraft across the western Pacific to evade potential missile attacks during crises.

During WWII, the airfield was used to launch B-29 bombers against the Japanese mainland. Two bombers carried the first atom bombs from Tinian.