Location
Located at the south-east corner of Vella Lavella, along Barakoma Bay, and south-east of Barakoma.

Construction
The strip was hastily constructed right along the coast by the 58th CB Battalion (SeaBees), clearing a swampy area of jungle for the airfield. Nightime harrasment raids by Japanese aircraft interfeared with, but did not stop the construction.

By October 25, 1943 the single runway was 3,600 x 150', with taxiways and ravetments along the inland side of the runway. Also a road was constructed from the airfield north passing Gill's Plantation and up to Lambu Lambu cove and Horoniu.

American Usage
The first official landing at the newly built US airstrip on this island was September 24, 1943 by VMF-214 pilots Greg "Pappy" Boyington and Mo Fisher. Many Marine F4U aces flew from Barakoma during its height.

American Units Based at Barakoma
VMF-221 operated there at that time
VF-17 "The Jolly Rogers" (F4U) Dec 23, 1943 - ?
VMF-212 (F4U) Munda ? - ? Torokina
VMF-214 "Black Sheep" (F4U) for six week
VMF-215 (F4U) ? - ? Torokina Airfield
VMF-321 arrive 12 24, 43 - ?
VF-40 (F6F)
VMF(N)-531 (PV-1 Ventura)

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

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
October 1, 2009

October 25, 1943

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