North Field (Tinian)

North Field is the large World War Two airfield complex on the northern end of Tinian Island in the Mariana Islands. It served as a major U.S. Army Air Forces base during the final year of the Pacific war.

The field is notable for its role as the staging base for long-range B-29 bombing operations against Japan; the B-29 Enola Gay departed North Field on 6 August 1945 for the mission over Hiroshima. Large runways, dispersal areas and support infrastructure were constructed here in 1944 after U.S. forces captured the island.

Following the war much of the airfield infrastructure remained visible and parts of the site have been preserved as historical features or repurposed for modern aviation uses. Visitors to Tinian can see wartime remains and memorial markers at locations around the north of the island.

The airfield complex occupies the northern portion of Tinian Island in Tinian Municipality; it is accessible by the islands road network and lies at the coordinates provided in the northern Mariana archipelago.

• Atomic mission departure: The B-29 Enola Gay departed from here on 6 August 1945 for the mission over Hiroshima.
• Built during WWII: The airfield was established and expanded by U.S. forces after the capture of Tinian in mid-1944 and served as a major B-29 staging base in 194445.

What to See#

• WWII runways and airfield infrastructure: Extensive World War Two-era runways and dispersal areas constructed on the northern part of Tinian; many wartime hardstandings and road layouts remain visible from the ground and air.
• Memorials and interpretive sites: Memorials and interpretive markers noting the bases role in the Pacific air war, including its use by the 509th Composite Group in 1945.

Tinian is served by Tinian International Airport (TIQ). Most international itineraries route through Saipan (SPN); from Saipan there are regular inter-island flights (about 15-20 minutes) to Tinian. Once on the island, North Field is accessible by road - arrange a local vehicle or guide, as signage is sparse and portions of the site are on uneven terrain.

• Respect the memorials and private property on Tinian - many of the wartime sites are on or adjacent to active airfields and residential areas.
• Hire a local guide on Tinian to see North Field properly; guides can point out the remaining runway sections and the island-era remnants that are otherwise hard to interpret.
• Bring plenty of sun protection and water; the field is exposed and offers almost no shade or services.
• Photograph respectfully: aircraft memorials and plaques are treated as historical sites rather than tourist props.