c1943
October 19, 1943
December 1943
December 27, 1943
via Fellows, 1990
|
Location
Located at the south-east corner
of the Vella Lavella, along Barakoma Bay, and south-east of Barakoma village.
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
VMF-214 "Black Sheep" (F4U) for six week.
VMF-321 arrive 12 24, 43 - ?
VMF-215 February 43 to Feb 26, 43 to Torokina
USN
VF-17 "The Jolly Rogers" (F4U) Dec 23, 1943 - ?
Today
Still in use today for limited flights by Solomon Airlines. Airport code: VEV.
Contribute
Information
|
October 25, 1943
View in Google Earth
|
