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    Kwajalein Airfield Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands
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January 31, 1942
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January 30, 1944
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January 31, 1944
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1944
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1945
Location
Lat 8° 42' 52" N Long 167° 43' 34" E  Kwajalein Airfield is located on Kwajalein Island in at the southern portion of Kwajalein Atoll (Southern Atoll).

Construction
Built by the Japanese with a single coral surfaced runway.

Wartime History
Used by the Japanese. Starting on February 1, 1942 targeted by U.S. Navy carrier planes and later U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) bombers. Used by the Japanese until January 1944.

American missions against Kwajalein
February 1, 1942 - January 28, 1944

On January 31, 1944 an amphibious landing by the U.S. Marines Corps (USMC) that liberated Kwajalein Airfield. After the battle, the runway was repaired and put to use by U.S. bombers and fighters. Kwajalein Airfield was designated APO 241 (Army Post Office 241).

a base for bombers and fighters, allowing them to fly missions as far as Wake and Truk. By the end of the war, the entire island was developed as part of the airfield and base area.

American units based at Kwajalein
30th BG, 38th BS (B-24) Nanumea March 13 - Aug 4, 1944 Saipan
30th BG, 27th BS (B-24) Apemama March 14, 1944 - ?
30th BG, 392nd (B-24) ? - August 4, 1944 Saipan
11th BG, HQ (B-24) Tarawa March 25 - Aug 14, 1944 Saipan Oct 25, 44 Guam
11th BG, 431 BS (B-24) Tarawa Mar 31 - August 4, 1944 Saipan Oct 21, 44 Guam
11th BG, 26th BS (B-24) Tarawa Apr 14 - Aug 4, 1944 to Saipan
28th PRS (det F-5) Hawaii June 30 - Sept 24, 1944 to Peleliu
VMB-613 (PBJ) 1944
VMO-115 (F4U)

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Last Updated
July 19, 2024

 

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