c1943
Justin Taylan, 2006
Justin Taylan, 2007
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Location
Located 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 North Field (Sunlight)
(USN) STAG-1 June 1944 - September 27, 1944 to Stirling
(13th AF) 390th BS (B-25C) Carney 10-21-43 -
7-22-44 to Stirling
(USN) Base LVT Repair Component E20 #1 Dec 7, 1944
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:
June 12, 1944 - Demo for Adm Gunther, against Maru on Guadalcanal
September 27 - VK-12 four drones ships off southern Bougainville
October 1 - 8 drones to southern bougainville area (2 Poporang)
By January 1945, this airfield had been closed, and was used for emergency landings only.
Today
Disused since the war, the runway and taxiways are still clearly visible from the air.
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Information
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 January 1945
View on Google Earth
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