US Air Force invests $409M to revitalize Pacific airfield as China tensions rise

The U.S. Air Force awarded a $409 million contract to Fluor Corporation to restore a long-dormant World War II airfield on Tinian Island, part of the Northern Mariana Islands. The move, aimed at bolstering military operations in the Indo-Pacific, is a critical component of the U.S.’s strategy to counter growing tensions in the region, particularly with China.

The Tinian airfield played a significant role during World War II as a launch site for major air operations. However, decades of disuse left it overgrown and unusable for modern military purposes. The Air Force’s restoration project...