Marpi Point Field

Marpi Point Field or NAB Marpi Point is a former World War II airfield at the northern end of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. It was abandoned in 1962 and is unused.

Marpi Point Field
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Aerial view of Naval Air Base Marpi Point, Saipan, Mariana Islands
Coordinates15°16′50″N 145°48′56″E
TypeMilitary airfield
Site information
Controlled byUnited States Navy
Conditionabandoned
Site history
Built1944
Built byImperial Japanese Navy Air Service/Seabees
In use1944–1962
Materialscoral

History

World War II

In March 1944 the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service ordered the construction of an airfield near Marpi Point on the northern end of the island of Saipan as part of a general plan to improve defenses in the Marianas. The 4,500-foot (1,400 m) airfield was planned to handle 24 aircraft, but was still incomplete at the time of the U.S. invasion in June 1944.[1] During the battle work on the runway continued to allow for the planned airlift of Japanese reinforcements to Saipan; however, this plan was abandoned when it became apparent that U.S. naval and airpower made this unfeasible. On 9 July 1944 the 24th Marines secured Marpi Point and the airfield, while the 25th Marines secured the northeast end of the island. Saipan was declared secure at 16:15 on 9 July.[2]

Aircraft from VMO-2 were the first American airplanes to land at Marpi Point Field.[3]

The US Navy took possession of Marpi Point Field and the 51st Naval Construction Battalion and Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 614 expanded the existing 4,500-foot (1,400 m) runway to 7,000 feet (2,100 m) and built a second 3,500-foot (1,100 m) runway.[2]:89 The field was renamed as NAB Marpi Point.

VMF-512 flying F4Us operated from NAB Marpi Point from October to December 1945. Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 47 (CASU-47) was based at the field during 1945. CBMU-616 was based at NAB Marpi Point from 17 August until 3 October 1945.

On 23 September 1945 USAAF Lockheed F-5G Lightning #44-26855 was written off while landing at NAB Marpi Point.[4]

Postwar

Postwar the entire northern region of Saipan was called NAS Tanapag and home to the U.S. Navy's Technical Training Unit (NTTU), a CIA cover. It purportedly was used for training of anti-communist spies and guerilla forces. The area was returned to civilian control in 1962.[5]

Current status

The airfield has become overgrown with vegetation and few traces of its former use remain. The Banzai Cliff memorial is located at the western end of the former airfield. The former airfield is part of the National Historic Landmark District Landing Beaches; Aslito/Isely Field; & Marpi Point, Saipan Island, designated in 1985.

See also

References
  1. Crowl, Philip (1960). War in the Pacific: Campaign in the Marianas. Government Printing Office. p. 61. ISBN 9780160018930. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Rottman, Gordon (2004). Saipan & Tinian 1944. Osprey Publishing. p. 68. ISBN 1841768049.
  3. "VMO-2, MARINE OBSERVATION SQUADRON TWO". Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  4. "ASN Aircraft Accident 23 September 1945 Lockheed F-5G Lightning". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  5. "Cold War Covert Activities on Saipan and elsewhere in the region". Retrieved 28 May 2013.
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