US Marine Corps conducts training exercises on Tinian, a strategic island in the Western Pacific, revitalized as a military staging area. The exercises, involving F-35B fighter jets, highlight the US focus on containing Chinese military influence in the region.
United States fighter jets have been conducting training exercises at a strategic island in the Western Pacific Ocean, where a World War II airfield is being reclaimed. The exercises took place on Tinian , one of the three principal islands in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory in the Western Pacific . Tinian , covering less than 40 square miles, played a significant role in World War II as a launchpad for U.S.
bomber raids on Japan, including the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. North Field, one of the island's two airfields, was once the largest in the world and is now being revived by the U.S. Air Force after years of disuse. Tinian holds strategic importance as part of the second island chain under a U.S. defense concept aimed at containing Chinese military influence. Located 1,500-1,700 miles from the Taiwan Strait, as well as the East and South China Seas, the island serves as an ideal staging area for U.S. military power. Photos released by the U.S. Marine Corps show two F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, arriving on Tinian on Thursday for a training program. The aircraft were observed being fueled on the island. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, under the command of the Marine Aircraft Group 12, provides aircraft for operations in the Indo-Pacific region.While the specific airfield used by the fighter jets remains unclear, both North Field, with its four 8,500-foot runways currently being cleared of overgrowth, and West Field, part of the modern-day Tinian International Airport and a divert airfield, are potential options. Prior to the arrival of the aircraft on Tinian, a group of U.S. Marines established a 'forward arming and refueling point' capable of sustaining aircraft operations in contested environments without relying on airfield infrastructure. This training mission on Tinian follows the Pentagon's December 2024 assessment report on Chinese military power, which warned of a 300 to 1,300 increase in China's medium-range ballistic missiles, capable of striking U.S. military bases in Japan. The U.S. Marine Corps stated that 'this iteration of the Program provided squadrons the opportunity to sharpen their tactical proficiency and perform flight operations in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.' Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu previously expressed concern to Newsweek, stating, 'China strongly opposes the U.S. strengthening forward deployments in the Asia-Pacific to seek unilateral military advantage. We urge the U.S. to earnestly respect other countries' security concerns and stop undermining peace and stability in the region.
US Military F-35 China Tinian World War II Pacific
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US Fighter Jets Strike ISIS Targets in SomaliaThe Pentagon announced that US fighter jets, deployed from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, conducted airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia on Saturday. The strikes, authorized by President Donald Trump, targeted a senior ISIS attack planner and were carried out in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia. This operation marks a shift from the usual drone strikes against al Shabaab and represents a direct offensive against ISIS.
Read more »
Iran Issues Warning to Israel After Buying Russian Fighter JetsTehran confirmed the purchase of Moscow's Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, strengthening the countries' military and political ties.
Read more »
China Unveils Two New Stealth Fighter Jets, Raising Concerns for US Air SuperiorityChina's recent debut of two advanced stealth fighter jets, the J-36 and J-50, has sparked alarm in the US military. Experts warn that these aircraft pose a significant threat to American air dominance in the Pacific region, especially considering the delay of the US's own next-generation fighter program. The article analyzes the capabilities of the J-36 and J-50, highlighting their potential to challenge US stealth aircraft like the F-22 and F-35. It also underscores China's aggressive military development and its commitment to challenging US dominance in the air.
Read more »
US and China Locked in Race for Next-Generation Fighter JetsThe US and China are engaged in a technological arms race to develop sixth-generation fighter aircraft that will surpass the capabilities of current fifth-generation jets.
Read more »
US and China Race to Develop Next-Generation Fighter JetsThe US and China are locked in a competition to develop the next generation of fighter aircraft, pushing the boundaries of military technology.
Read more »
US and China in Race to Develop Next-Generation Fighter JetsThe US and China are locked in a competition to develop sixth-generation fighter aircraft, which are expected to surpass the capabilities of their current fifth-generation jets. Experts say these next-generation fighters will likely feature significantly enhanced stealth, networking, computing, sensing, and engines. While China recently unveiled two new combat aircraft prototypes, the US Air Force continues development of its Next Generation Air Dominance fighter jet and is testing the B-21 bomber, touted as the world's first sixth-generation aircraft.
Read more »