Location
Located on Funafuti.
Location
Located on Funafuti Island, running the length of the island.
Construction
Built by USN Seabee construction battalions.
It included an airstrip, control tower, facilities and radio
station located at Tepuka, connected by cable to the airfield.
The base colonel's HQ building were located at the present
day Teagai Apelu's residence , and a bunker is still located
there to this day.
Wartime Usage
The new airfield was operational and began
flying reconnaissance missions against Tarawa, Mili and Jaluit before
the conclusion of 1942. The first offensive operation from
Tuvalu was launched on April 20, 1943 with a twenty-two
B-24 raid from Funafuti to Nauru.
Units Based at Funafuti
VS-65 (SBD)
Today
This airfield is still in use today, airport code: FUN.
SBD-5 Dauntless Bureau Number 38035
Abandoned at the airfield
B-24D "Raunchy" Serial Number 42-72980
Abandoned at the airfield
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