The U.S. military is carrying out major contructions for airfield facilities on Wake Island. Construction began in March 2020 and is slated for completion by spring 2021.
PACIFIC OCEAN – F-35B Lightning IIs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, the Wake Island Avengers, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fly over Wake Island during a regularly scheduled deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th MEU, August 1, 2018. The Essex ARG/MEU team is a strong, flexible, responsive and consistent force deployed to the 7th fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies ad maintain a presence ready to respond to any crisis from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations. The Essex ARG and 13th MEU is the first continental United States Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy with the F-35B Lightning. The Essex ARG and 13th MEU is the first continental United States Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy with the F-35B Lightning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Francisco J. Diaz Jr.)
New aprons and shoulders with rigid pavement are being added at Taxiway Bravo. Construction is also underway for the existing airfield Hot Cargo Pad.
Once completed, the island will be able to accommodate C-17 operations.
