Historic North Field on Tinian in the Northern Marianas is being closed because of this week's military exercise involving U.S. Marines and Japanese soldiers.
Tinian's Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz says the public's patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated as North Field is one of the island's most famous tourist sites.
Some 65 U.S. Marines based in Okinawa arrived on Tinian on Thursday night to prepare the training sites, to be followed early this week by an additional 150 Marines, along with Japanese Self-Defense Force troops.