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    Motulalo Airfield (Nukufetau Airfield) Nanumea Atoll Tuvalu
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2007
Location
Motulalo Airfield (Nukufetau) was located on Motulalo Island on the southeastern side of Nukufetau Atoll on Motulalo Island. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Ellice Islands. During the Pacific War, Americans referred to this location as Nukufetau Airfield. Today located in Tuvalu.

Construction
Built by U.S. Navy (USN) Seabees as an alternative strip to Nanumea Airfield and Funafuti Airfield and allowed for further dispersal of aircraft in the Ellice Islands. Two intersecting runways spanned the length and width of Motulalo Island forming a "X" shape. Motulalo Airfield was ready for use by October 9, 1943 and fully operational by November 1943.

Wartime History
Starting in November 1943 used by American bombers and aircraft. Motulalo Airfield supported the invasion of Tarawa. No Japanese attacks were ever made against this airfield.

American units based at Motulalo (Nukufetau)
Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 331 (VMSB-331)
11th BG, 26th BS (B-24) Wheeler arrives November 11, 1943–Jan 25, 1944 departs Tarawa
11th BG, 98th BS (B-24) Wheeler arrives November 11, 1943–Jan 20, 1944 departs Tarawa
VMSB-331 (SBD) arrives November 15, 1943–detachment November 30, 1943 departs Tarawa

Today
Abandoned and disused since the Pacific War.

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Last Updated
December 20, 2022

 

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