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USN September 1943 USAAF October 19, 1943 Justin Taylan 2006 |
Location Lat 9° 5' 34S Long 159° 13' 6E Renard Field is located at an elevation of 60' above sea level on Banika Island in the Russell Island Group (Russell Islands) in Central Province in the Solomon Islands. Also known as "South Field" or "Yandina". To the north is Renard Sound and beyond Sunlight Filed (North Field). Construction After the American landing on February 21, 1943, U.S. Navy (USN) Seabees began constructing a single runway at this location. Initially, the crushed coral surfaced runway was 3,100' long and completed in early June 1943. Later, the strip was expanded to 5,300' x 200' with extensive revetment areas to each side. Wartime History When completed in early June 1943, Renard Field was first used on June 5, 1943 when COMAIRSOL conducted its first daylight raid against the Buin/Kahili area since the disastrous February 14, 1943 "St. Valentines Day Massacre". Returning from the mission, several Allied fighters landed on the new strip. By July 1945, the strip was expanded to 6,300', and was scheduled for closure. American units based at Renard Field U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) 347th FG, 67th FS (P-39, P-38) Woodlark arrives January 23, 1944–Augist 15, 44 Middleburg U.S. Navy (USN) VB-140 (PV-1) Espiritu Santo arrives September 13, 1943– VB-148 (PV-1) Espiritu Santo arrives March 25, 1944–April 3, 1944 Munda Today Still in use today as Yandina Airport with weekly domestic flights operated by Solomon Airlines / Fly Solomons to provide air service to the Russell Islands area. Airport codes: ICAO: AGGY IATA: XYA. Contribute
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