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  USN November 28, 1943   USN January 1944  USN January 25, 1944  USN May 26, 1944   USAAF 1944 |
Location Lat 7°24′58″S Long 155°33′55″E Stirling Airfield is located on Stirling Island in the Treasury Island Group (Treasury Islands) in the northern Solomon Islands. The end of the runway terminates at a 70' cliff at the far side. Some wartime references spell the name as "Sterling" incorrectly. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today located in Western Province in the Solomon Islands. Construction After the Allied landing on Stirling, it was evident that Stirling was perfect for an airfield because the island was naturally flat, coral surfaced, fresh water and good landing beaches nearby. On November 1, 1943 a reconnaissance crew from the 87th Naval Construction Battalion (87th NCB) "Seabees" arrive on Stirling to survey the area. Four days later, they submitted a favorable report about the area. Based on this report, construction of a bomber strip "W", originally planned for Bougainville was initiated at this location instead. On November 29, 1943 at 8:00am, the first bulldozers began work clearing the jungle and by the next day cleared an area roughly 2,000 x 300'. Timber was hauled to a sawmill established, and the top soil removed. Naturally flat, the area required little blasting. Initially, light discipline was enforced, but to speed construction, flood lights on skids were built so dozers could work all night, and a system of telephones to dim the lights if a Japanese air raid warning was issued. Work proceeded around the clock in three eight hour shifts, seven days a week. Vital supplies were air dropped with parachutes from C-47s. Plans called for a 4,000' runway to be finished by the middle of January 1944, but this was achieved earlier with around the clock work and completed December 25, 1943. When the strip was 5,000', bombers began operating against Rabaul and work on taxiways and hardstands continued. The next phase of construction called for a 6,000' runway by February 1, 1944. This was completed ahead of schedule on January 2. Construction was completed with the entire surface being double bladed and sprayed with salt water, working between take offs and landings. Other facilities built included taxiways, hardstands, warm-up aprons, repair areas, 60' control tower, weather station and camp area. Afterwards, the runway was extended to 7,000 x 300'. Wartime History On December 17, 1943 only 19 days into the construction of the airfield, two aircraft landed on the partially built runway B-25 "Fickle Finger" and F4U Corsair 1777 (flipped upside down). Japanese missions against Stirling January 11-13, 1944 On January 25, 1944, a B-25 crashed on take off, blocking one third of the runway. While Seabees worked to clear the wreckage, a B-24 with one engine shot out crashed at the end of the runway and burst into flames and the crew were helped to safety, most thrown clear by the explosion. On March 1, 1944 damaged B-24D "Snow Job" 42-41230 crash landed on the runway. Stirling was used a forward airfield in the campaign against Rabaul (roughly 7 hour flight for B-25s) Bougainville and New Ireland. On May 26, 1944 Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey, CinC South Pacific landed aboard his personal PBY Catalina at Stirling and inspects the area and also Mono. During August, 1944 (exact date unknown) USO performers arrived to entertain the troops performing during a torrential rain storm. Performers included Jack Benny, June Brunner, Martha Tilton, Carole Landis, Larry Adler. The performers have a meal with the 87th Seabees and Army units. American Units based at Stirling USN, 87th Construction Battalion "Seabees" arrives November 1, 1943–September 5-25, 1944 11th Aerodrome Squadron, CASU 8, ACORN 12 "A" Battery 198th Coastal Artillery (90mm AA Guns) 347th FG, 339th FS (P-38) Fighter 2 arrives January 15, 1944–August 15, 1944 departs Sansapor 347th FG, HQ (P-38) arrives January 15, 1944–August 15, 1944 departs Sansapor 42nd BG, HQ (B-25) Banika arrives January 20, 1944–August 1, 1944 departs Hollandia 42nd BG, 106th RS (B-25) arrives Jan 25, 1944–May 9, 1944 redesignated 100 BS–Aug 6, 1944 departs Hollandia 42nd BS 75th BS (B-25) Banika arrives January 20, 1944–August 27, 1944 departs Hollandia 42nd BG 69th BS (B-25) Banika arrives February 19, 1944 42nd BG 390th BS (B-25) Banika arrives March 8, 1944–August 23, 1944 Hollandia Special Task Air Group One (STAG-1) (TDR) Banika arrives Sept 19, 1944–Sept 19, 1944 departs Nissan (Green) VBM-413 (PBJ) Espiritu Santo arrives March 7, 1944–May 15, 1944 departs Espiritu Santo VMD-254 (B-24) take off for February 4, 1944 reconnaissance of Truk Veteran Joe Deceuster, Marine Bombing Squadron 413 (VMB-413) recalls: "The natives from other islands believed that Stirling was like a table top placed on a single pedestal, and if it became unbalanced, it would tip, spilling everything into the sea. They would come and trade with us but they would be gone before nightfall." Their work completed, the 87th Construction Battalion "Seabees" were withdrawn, first echelon September 5. Second echelon departing on the 25th for D'Or on New Caledonia. At the end of the Pacific War, most of the remaining aircraft were bent and bulldozed into the bush off the strip and dumped off the cliff at the far end of the runway. P-38H Lightning Serial Number 42-66671 Pilot Kincaid crashed January 7, 1944 Postwar On January 24, 1949 a search team from American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) Search and Recovery Expedition Number 2 from 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company (604th QM GR Co) aboard LST-711 arrived at Blanche Harbor commanded by Lt. Col Bryan and SFC Botham and Pfc Vance and Pfc Sninsky landed on Mono Island, then searched Stirling Island and Stirling Airfield unsuccessfully for B-25D 41-30566. During their visit, they noted: "we found that the roads were well overgrown with virus, etc. The natives stated that no one had lived on Stirling except the Air Force personnel... We went directly to the airfield which was in excellent condition considering the long inactivity and made a thorough search of the airfield and surroundings but to no avail. The guides then took us to a junkyard were there was four American planes." Postwar, most of the aircraft wreckage has been scrapped or otherwise removed. There are still a few aircraft pieces in the sea and at the base of the cliff where they were dumped. Today Stirling Airfield, also known as "Mono Island Airport" was serviced by Solomon Airlines flights from Honiara Airport (Henderson Field). Airport code IATA: MNY. Chris Cowx reports: "I did not take any pictures of the airfield at Mono in 2000 when I visited. There was not much to see. It was simply an overgrown strip of crushed coral. I landed at Mono and was there for about twenty minutes at most. I got off of the plane and was immediately surrounded by a huge crowd of local people. The pilot talked to a few people and then I was given a lift to the Shortland Islands which are about 20 miles away across open water." Gareth Coleman adds: "Unfortunately [the wrecks] were stolen from the locals. There is a huge mistrust of white people in Mono, Stirling and Shortlands now as most of the aircraft are gone." As of roughly 2009, Solomon Airlines suspended service to the airfield, due to the fact that this route was uneconomical. But during the Christmas period, they mount ad hoc services to the Island. Boat service to the area remains. References The Earthmovers (1945) pages 61-80 MACR 1668 - "Summary of pertinent Facts on case 7-1180" includes January 1949 visit notes Contribute
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