Tinian North Field

Military demobilization and strategic redundancy. Built specifically for the massive B-29 Superfortress bombing campaign against Japan, the airfield's immense scale and operational cost were no longer necessary after Japan's surrender in 1945. The post-war military drawdown led to its rapid abandonment.

For decades, the site was largely abandoned and overgrown, with the jungle reclaiming most of the runways and taxiways. The layout of the four main runways is still clearly visible from the air. The site is a major historical landmark and tourist attraction, part of the 'Landing Beaches; Aslito/Isely Field; & Marpo Point, Tinian Island' U.S. National Historic Landmark district. Visitors can access the preserved atomic bomb loading pits and drive on sections of the original runways and taxiways which are now used as unpaved local roads. The area is also used for cattle grazing.

Tinian North Field was one of the most significant airbases of World War II. At its peak in 1945, it was the largest and busiest airport in the world. Constructed by U.S. Navy Seabees, it featured four massive 8,500-foot parallel runways (named Able, Baker, Charlie, and Dog) designed to accommodate the strategic bombing campaign. Its primary historical importance stems from its role in the atomic bomb missions. It was the home base of the 509th Composite Group, the specialized unit tasked with deploying atomic weapons. On August 6, 1945, the B-29 'Enola Gay' took off from Runway Able at North Field to drop the 'Little Boy' atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, the B-29 'Bockscar' departed from the same runway to drop the 'Fat Man' bomb on Nagasaki, leading to the end of World War II. The specially constructed bomb loading pits used for these missions are preserved as historical landmarks.

Yes, there are significant and ongoing plans to reactivate the airfield for military use. Under the 'Tinian Divert Initiative' (also known as the 'Divert Airfield' project), the U.S. Air Force is actively rehabilitating parts of North Field. The project's goal is to create a strategic satellite and emergency divert airfield for military aircraft from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, enhancing operational resilience in the Pacific. Work, which began in the late 2010s and has accelerated, includes extensive jungle clearing, surveying, and plans for paving and upgrading the original runways and taxiways, as well as constructing new fuel tanks and support facilities. As of recent years, significant progress has been made in clearing vegetation from the historic runways, marking the first step in returning North Field to an operational military status.