Location
Located at Samarai Island. Other facilities were located at Sariba Island.

Construction
On July 31, 1943 a detachment of the US Navy 84th Seabee Battalion was sent to Samarai to build a small seaplane base. Despite material shortages, the base was built in 42 days and included a 50' ramp with a hanger and 40,000 square feet of parking. Barracks and accommodations for 220 men and 50 officers and the installation of four x 1,000 barrel aviation fuel tanks.

USN U nits Based at Samari
VP-33 (PBYs) Based from February 15, 1944, under the operational control of FAW-17. The squadron was assigned night search patrols and attack missions against enemy shipping in the Bismarck Sea.

VP-34 (PBYs) Based from December  26, 1943 where it began its first offensive combat operations against the enemy as a Black Cat squadron.

VP-101 (PBY) Based from Dec 1 - 28, 1943 had its advance bases at Samarai and Port Moresby. Combat patrols and crew training were conducted concurrently through the 28th, when the squadron returned to Perth.

Today
Disused as a seaplane base since the war.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009