Location
Located in the Russell Islands Group on Banika Island north-west of Sunlight Channel. To the south-east across Renard Sound is Renard Field (South Field).

Construction
After the American landing on February 21, 1943, US Navy SeaBees began constructing a single crushed coral runway 4,200' long and put into operation on June 30, 1943.

The runway was eventually expanded to 4,700' 150' with extensive revetment areas around it. Completed in June-July 1943, it was used by light bombers and fighters.

Units Based at Banika (North Field, Sunlight)
USMC
MAG-21 HQ March 1943 - ?
VMF-124 (F4U) Guadalancal ? - June 17, 1943
VMF-213 (F4U) June 17 - December 9, 1943
VMF-214 (F4U) July 21, 1943 - September 17, 1943 Munda
VMF(N)-531 (PV-1) September 11, 1943
USN
STAG-1 June - September 27, 1944 to Stirling
Base LVT Repair Component E20 #1 Dec 7, 1944
USAAF
42nd BG, HQ (B-25) Carney Oct 22, 43 - Aug 7, 44 Hollandia
42nd BG, 390th BS (B-25C) Carney 10-21-43 - 7-22-44 to Stirling
42nd BG, 75th BS (B-25) Carney Oct 21, 43 - Jan 20, 44 Stirling
42nd BG, 390th BS (B-25) Carney Oct 22, 43 - Aug 7, 44 Hollandia
42nd BG, 69th BS (B-25) Plaines Des Gaiacs 11-10-43 - 2-19-44 Stirling

STAG-1 Drone Project
US NAVY had a radio controlled aircraft operation on the island, called STAG-1 (Special Task Air Group One) flying TDN's drones and then upgraded to TDR drones They flew missions on the following days:

July 30, 1944: Demo for Admiral Gunther: four TDR drones are tested against Yamazuki Maru beach near Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal.

September 27, 1944: VK-12 four drones ships off southern Bougainville

October 1, 1944: Eight drones to southern bougainville area (two against Poporang)

By January 1945, this airfield was closed, and available for emergency landings only.

Today
Disused since the war, the runway and taxiways are still clearly visible from the air.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

January 1945

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