A U.S. Air Force F-35A takes off from Tinian International Airport in February 2022.
VALIANT Shield 24 is happening at Tinian Northfield with approximately 75 personnel from the Marine Air Control Squadron 4 deployed to the site.
The military activity was confirmed by the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs on Tuesday.
Military exercises will be conducted from May 30 to June 21, 2024, according to an exercise plan that serves as a notification to the CBMA and the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
Valiant Shield is a “U.S. Air Force Agile Combat Employment exercise conducted at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam and other islands in the area.”
This activity “builds partnerships with local economies, logistics networks, and civilian authorities, which will assist in reducing USAF response time in the future.”
The Tinian Northern Parking Apron will be used by Marine Air Control Squadron 4 to conduct aviation command and control in support of aircraft operating in the altitude reservation north of the island.
No live ammunition will be maintained, the exercise plan stated. The Marines will have weapons but not live rounds, blanks or ammunition.
A Tinian official, who declined to be identified, said military training is important to national security. The only concern they had to address in the beginning was the high-impact training that involved live ammunition. The official said Tinian is a small island that can be adversely affected by high-velocity weapons.
But the official believes that this concern has already been resolved by the military.
