Senior leadership from Team Andersen climb aboard a MC-130, for a staff ride to Tinian Island, Oct. 11. During the visit, they toured American and Japanese facilities from World War II and were given a rich historical brief on engagements on the island. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Don Ferrell, Northern Marianas Island Historian, welcomes senior leaders of Team Andersen to Tinian Island for a tour, Oct. 11. Mr. Ferrell shared his vast knowledge of Tinian and World War II while escorting the group to various historical sites. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Senior leaders of Team Andersen pose for a group photo atop of a memorial during a staff visit and historical tour of Tinian Island, Oct. 11. Tinian Island has multiple historical sites throughout the jungle and areas honoring the heritage of the island. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Senior leaders of Team Andersen explore the remnants of an Japanese fuel hold that was destroyed during World War II, Oct. 11 during a staff visit and tour of Tinian Island. While under Japanese occupation, Tinian was largely used as a sugar plantation. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
A shield from the 509th Composite Group adorns a memorial on Tinian Island. The 509th Composite Group is most famous for dropping the atomic bomb “Little Boy” from a B-29 named “Enola Gay” in 1944. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Don Ferrell, Northern Marianas Island Historian, took senior leaders of Team Andersen to the northern most tip of Tinian Island, during a staff visit, Oct. 11. Tinian Island is located just five miles south of Saipan, within the Northern Marianas Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Capt. James Wood, 36th Wing Commander’s executive officer, and Col. Peter Brewer, 36th Medical Group commander, stand next latte stones during a staff visit and historical tour of Tinian Island Oct. 11. The latte stones are one of twelve from the house of Taga, which are approximately 20-feet in length. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
A memorial honoring the lives of local Tinian Islanders lost during World War II stands at on a cliff of the island. Senior leadership of Team Andersen visited the memorial during a historical tour of the island Oct. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Senior leaders of Team Andersen explore the remnants of a Japanese munitions hold that was destroyed during World War II, Oct. 11 during a staff visit and tour of Tinian Island. While under Japanese occupation, Tinian was largely used as a sugar plantation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Senior leaders of Team Andersen visit the Japanese Command Post from World War II on Tinian Island, Oct.11 during a staff visit and tour. The structures on Tinian have since deteriorated but the foundations and outlines can still be seen through the vast jungle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Lt. Col. Steven Bording, 36th Operations Support Squadron commander, kneels down inside an air raid shelter during a staff visit and tour of Tinian Island Oct. 11. The shelter is one of four that were located right outside the Japanese command post on the island. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Maj. Robert Leo, 36th Maintenance Squadron commander, lays near the edge of a memorial overlook during a staff visit and historical tour of Tinian Island Oct. 11. The island has multiple historical sites throughout the jungle honoring the heritage of the island. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Senior leaders of Team Andersen visit the facility where the atomic bomb “Little Boy” was built during a staff visit and tour of Tinian Island, Oct. 11. The structure has since deteriorated but the foundation and the layout of the operation can still be seen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Senior leaders of Team Andersen pose for a photo next to a atomic bomb pit during a staff visit and tour of Tinian Island, Oct. 11. The bomb pit was used during World War II, to allow servicemembers to load the two atomic bombs, “Little Boy” and “Fat Man,” during the war. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
A view from the cockpit of a MC-130 aircraft flying over Tinian Island. The aircraft transported senior leaders of team Andersen to Tinian Island to take part in a historic island tour Oct. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
An aerial view of the village San Jose, Tinian Island taken Oct. 11. San Jose is located on the southern tip of Tinian and is the largest village on island. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Tinian Heritage staff ride

Published Oct. 12, 2011
By Senior Airman Carlin Leslie
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Thirty-four members of Team Andersen's senior leadership visited the Island of Tinian to explore the rich U.S. Army Air Corps heritage and World War II history Oct. 11.

Tinian was captured by the United States in July 1944 from Japan in the Battle of Tinian, and the island was transformed into the largest airbase of the war. At the time, the island housed two airfields, with nine Air Groups of the 20th Air Force and 375 B-29's.

The island is located approximately 80 miles North of Guam within the Northern Marianas Islands.