NASKA* Opens, Sept. 20, 1943


© 2019, Alvin F. Kanda

*Naval Air Station Kahului (U.S. Naval Air Station Number 27)



The scene pictures a Grumman JRF-1 piloted by base commander Cmdr. P.L. Haines landing at 11:30, officially beginning operations at NASKA. The aircraft was very likely borrowed for the occasion from VJ-3 (Utility Squadron 3) based at nearby NAS Puunene.

Ten aircraft from the U.S.S. Princeton's Carrier Air Group 23 followed: nine SBD-5's from VC-23 (Composite Squadron 23) and one F6F-3 from VF-23 (Fighter Squadron 23). The U.S.S. Princeton was anchored at Pearl Harbor and its aircraft at nearby NAS Barbers Point.

The mission of NASKA was to accomodate fleet units. This included maintenance of their aircraft, personnel training and staging for combat. The station also operated a fuel storage facility and coordinated supplies (provisions, general stores, clothing) for all Naval activities on Maui.



References

  1. Historical Report, U.S. Naval Air Station Number 27, Jan. 25 1945
  2. Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft; Sept. 21, 1943

Acknowledgements

  1. State of Hawaii Dept. of Transportation Airport Div.  for reference 1.
  2. Naval History and Heritage Command  for reference 2.
  3. Maui Historical Scociety photo 1360 was the main reference to model the control tower.
  4. "Cybertenko" at renderosity.com for the mesh of the Grumman JRF-1.

Page created 8/20/2019 by Maui MeshWorks