Restoring Tinian's Legacy Published Feb. 24, 2025 By Airman 1st Class Mannaseh Demissie 36th Wing TINIAN, CNMI -- The 513th Expeditionary Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers Squadron, collaborated with U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Seabees to rehabilitate Tinian North Airfield. The purpose of the partnership was to finalize repairs on North Field’s runways, taxiways, and aprons to restore the airfield’s operational capacity. This project aimed to expand the United States’ impact on the Indo-Pacific region and to benefit the local community. “We’ve been forward deployed from Guam to rehabilitate North Field”, said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Martin Spain, 513th Expeditionary RED HORSE senior enlisted leader. “[North Field] once served as the busiest airfield in the world. The road paving efforts we’re working on are essential—not just for our mission, but for the local ranchers and residents who rely on these routes daily. The 513th Expeditionary RED HORSE personnel repaired and paved East Access Road and the most damaged parts of Broadway Road. These roads are important for facilitating future construction efforts and improving day-to-day operations for service members and civilians. “This is the first time in decades that the military has laid asphalt on Tinian,” said Tech Sgt. Cesar Cortes, 513th Expeditionary RED HORSE crew lead for road repair project. “The teamwork between RED HORSE and joint service partners have been outstanding, and the experience gained here will be invaluable as we move on to larger-scale airfield rehabilitation.” In addition to the rehabilitation of North Airfield, the team used air curtain incinerators for the first time to dispose of the material waste from the project in an environmentally-friendly way. The byproduct, termed biochar, is a valuable resource that can improve soil health and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. “It’s critical that we are good guests in their home”, said Capt. Soren Hoffman, 513th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, Tinian officer in charge. “The people of Tinian are very welcoming.” With each paved road, restored runaway, and local bond strengthened, the mission of rehabilitating North Field to its former glory moves closer to fruition. The 513th Expeditionary RED HORSE and its partners remain committed to the vision of a fully operational airfield that honors the past while preparing for the future.