Johnston Atoll

Johnston Atoll, a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, has held strategic military importance for the United States since its initial occupation in 1934. During World War II, the atoll was developed into an airbase and refueling station, supporting operations across the Pacific theater. In the Cold War era, it served as a launch site for nuclear and missile tests, as well as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. The military presence on Johnston Atoll continued until the late 1990s, when environmental cleanup and demilitarization efforts led to the closure of the base.