Type Military airfield In use 1944–1962 Year built 1944 | Condition abandoned Materials coral Controlled by United States Navy | |
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Built by Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service/Seebees | ||
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.
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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 feet (1,400 m) airfield was planned to handle 24 aircraft, but was still incomplete at the time of the US invasion in June 1944. 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.
Aircraft from VMO-2 were the first American airplanes to land at Marpi Point Field.
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 feet (1,400 m) runway to 7,000 feet (2,100 m) and built a second 3,500 feet (1,100 m) runway. The field was renamed as NAB Marpi Point.
VMF-512 flying F4Us operated from NAB Marpi Point from October - 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.
Postwar
In the postwar era the entire northern region of Saipan was occupied by the CIA and the US Navy's Technical/Tactical Training Unit (TTU) and purportedly used for training of anti-communist spies and guerilla forces. The area was returned to civilian control in 1962.
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/Isley Field; & Marpi Point, Saipan Island, designated in 1985.