Location
Located on Engebi Island in Eniwetok Atoll. Also known as Engebi Island Airfield.
Construction
Japanese built a single coral surfaced runway that spanned the length of the island.
Wartime History
Bombarded on February 17, 1944 prior to the American landing on the island on the 18th. Secured on February 22, 1944. Rapidly repaired, the first 7th Air Force B-25s used the airfield on March 10 for a combat mission. Often afterwards as a staging base for B-25s or B-24s bombing Ponape, Nauru and other targets.
American Units Based at Engebi
VMF-113 (F4U) March 1944
American Expanding of the Strip
American 47th
Army Engineers expanded and
improved the airfield, to support four fighter squadrons,
until the strip on Eniwetok became fully operational. The
126th Battalion arrived at Engebi on March 11, 1944,
and took over from the 47th. Aviation facilities,
included a fighter strip, 3950 x 225', taxiways with
150 hardstands, and engine-overhaul shops.
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