Between August 19-28, 1943 Japanese aircraft attacked Allied forces in the Barakoma area losing a considerable number of aircraft and Allied fighters and anti-aircraft claimed about 50 attackers. None of the raids did considerable damage. The last recorded Japanese raid was January 16, 1944 when four bombs were dropped three miles wide of the airfield. At night, harassment raids by Japanese interfered with, but did not stop the construction.

By October 25, 1943 the single runway measured 3,600 x 150' and was oriented 322°  x 142°  with taxiways and revetments along the inland southwest edge of the runway. Also a road was constructed from the airfield north passing Gill's Plantation and up to Lambu Lambu Cove and Horoniu.

Wartime History
On September 24, 1943 the first offical landing on the newly built runway was by VMF-214 "Black Sheep" F4U Corsairs piloted by Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and Mo Fisher. Many Marine F4U aces flew from Barakoma during its height.

During late 1943 until early 1944, Barakoma Airfield was used by U. S. Marine Corps (USMC) fighter aircraft and bombers. Afterwards, squadrons moved northward to Bougainville and Nissan Airfield (Green Island).

American units based at Barakoma Airfield
VMF-221 (F4U)
VMF-212 (F4U) Munda October 20, 1943 - November 27, 1943 Torokina
VMF-214 "Black Sheep" (F4U)
VMF-215 (F4U) ? - ? Torokina
VMF-321 "Hell's Angels" ? December 24, 1943 - ? Piva South (Piva Uncle)
VMF(N)-531 (PV-1 Ventura) ? - April 1944 Nissan
VF-40 (F6F)

F4U-1A Corsair Bureau Number 55828
Pilot Alexander crashed September 23, 1943

P-38H "Jan II" Serial Number 42-66893
Pilot Livsey force landed October 7, 1943

Japanese missions against Barakoma
August 19, 1943 - January 16, 1944

Today
Still in use today for limited flights by Solomon Airlines. Airport code: VEV.

References
The Black Sheep page 225-226

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Last Updated
January 11, 2019