Barbers Point Naval Air Station

Type   69 Air Base
Historical Name of Location   Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii
Coordinates   21.307222000, -158.070278000

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe low Ewa plain on Oahu's southwest shore is perhaps the driest area of the island. Attempts to develop the area for agriculture had mixed results. In 1925, the United States Navy leased 150 acres and erected a 100-foot mooring mast for airships, later shortened to 50-feet but never used to moor an airship. In September 1940, the Navy bought 3,500 acres adjacent to the mooring mast for use in Navy and Marine Corps aviation. The area surrounding the mooring mast was developed into Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, commissioned Feb 3, 1941, and the other end of the property would become Naval Air Station Barbers Point.

ww2dbaseWork began on the naval airstrip in November 1941 with plans for it to be an Outlying Landing Field for the Ford Island Naval Air Station. By Dec 7, 1941 construction had barely begun so the station escaped damage in the Japanese attack. Following the attack, as the Navy moved onto a war footing, crews and material were pulled from Barbers Point and applied to expanding the Marine base at Ewa Field. Work quickly resumed at Barbers Point with adjusted plans for it to be a training base on a scale to surpass Ford Island. The station was commissioned Apr 15, 1942 even before the facility was fully operational. Much of the training and maintenance being administered by the Barbers Point Air Station was actually taking place at the neighboring Marine Corps Air Station Ewa until Barbers Point could be built up enough to handle its own work. Construction continued and would continue throughout the war.

ww2dbaseOperations at Barbers Point initially centered on working up carrier air groups and squadrons for carrier deployment in combat areas further west. Four months after opening, Barbers Point was capable of accommodating more than four carrier air groups at the same time and that capacity continued to grow. The station became one of the busiest air bases in the world, at one point handling more take-offs and landings in a 24 hour period than known of at any other airfield during the war.

ww2dbaseBarbers Point also became the center of the Navy's aircraft maintenance operations. Chief among the maintenance facilities was the engine overhaul shop. Even though the shop was not opened until late in the war, in October 1944, it was still able to perform complete overhauls on 2,500 of the finicky radial engines and in its best month, 345 engines. The Assembly and Repair Department put so many aircraft into service, both new and refurbished, that the station opened a 150 acre plane-pool storage area near Iroquois Point.

ww2dbaseNumerous Navy and Marine Air Groups were serviced at Barbers Point during the war but the facilities were not limited to these services. At least three US Army Pursuit Squadrons were stationed at Barbers Point early in the war, leaving in February 1943. They flew coastal defense sorties and were in a constant alert status. In April and May of 1943, three Royal Navy carrier squadrons from HMS Victorious ("USS Robin") underwent overhaul and night flying training at Barbers Point.

ww2dbaseAircraft maintenance and flight training were vital functions but Barbers Point also saw some innovative aviation projects during the war. Drone aircraft were tested there, largely intended as airborne targets, and experiments with jet propulsion on airplanes were taking place as early as Dec 1944.

ww2dbaseMechanics of Carrier Aircraft Service Units (CASUs) were trained and staged at Barbers Point prior to deployment to carriers and forward air bases. Special SeaBee units, ACORN, ARGUS and GROPAC units also went through Barbers Point where they were readied for their final deployment. These were specialized units designated to quickly create and then operate air bases in forward areas, vital component in Nimitz' island hopping strategy. While Pearl Harbor was the Navy's wartime hub for everything pertaining to ships of the Fleet, the corresponding hub for all things related to Naval aviation was Barbers Point.

ww2dbaseBy the end of the war, the main runway at Barbers Point, directly in line with the prevailing trade winds, was among the largest in the Pacific, at 1,000 feet wide and 8,300 feet long. As combat units were demobilized and being routed back to the United States, Barbers Point became the preferred stopping point for returning Army B-29 Superfortress aircraft. So well suited was Barbers Point for the large bombers that by 1947, weekly B-29 training flights were initiated from Davis-Monthan Field near Tucson, Arizona, United States to Barbers Point Naval Air Station and back, a round trip of 6,000 miles.

ww2dbaseBarbers Point resumed many of its familiar naval aviation support functions during the Korean conflict and again during Vietnam. The air station remained the Navy's principal land-based air facility in the central Pacific throughout the Cold War but with the downsizing that followed the collapse of the Soviet bloc, Barbers Point was closed on Jul 1, 1999. The facility was turned over to the State of Hawaii and became Kalaeola Airport with the Navy's air functions transferred to Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, but the United States Coast Guard still (2013) operates an air station at Barbers Point.

ww2dbaseSources:
Wikipedia
United States Navy
M. L. Shettle, United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II
Naval Air Museum Barbers Point
Abandoned and Little Known Airfields
Hawaiian Aviation Archive
Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society
Hawaiian Aviation Society

Last Major Update: Jan 2014



Barbers Point Naval Air Station Interactive Map

Photographs

Formation of TBM-1 Avengers on a training flight from NAS Barbers Point, Oahu, Hawaii, early 1943.Overhead view of Barbers Point Naval Air Station, Oahu, Hawaii, 1944Overhead view of Barbers Point Naval Air Station (left) and Ewa Marine Corps Air Station (right), Oahu, Hawaii, Sep 1944Surplus US carrier aircraft stored for demobilization and prepared for scrapping, Iroquois Point, Oahu, Hawaii, Oct 1945
See all 13 photographs of Barbers Point Naval Air Station

Barbers Point Naval Air Station Timeline

13 Apr 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: First commanding officer, Capt HF MacComsey USN, assumed command.
15 Apr 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station commissioned
15 May 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Serviced Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44), gasoline and oil
27 May 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Groups from USS Hornet (Yorktown-class) and USS Yorktown (Yorktown-class) serviced.
13 Jun 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group from USS Hornet (Yorktown-class) arrived
28 Jun 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group from USS Hornet (Yorktown-class) departed
7 Jul 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group from USS Saratoga arrived
23 Jul 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: First movies for all personnel, in mess hall.
1 Aug 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Preparation of site, including filling and grading, usably complete.
16 Sep 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Permanent Officer-of-the-Day watch established
1 Oct 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Sewage and drainage system usably complete
31 Oct 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Daily train service to and from Honolulu established (Oahu Railway & Land Co.)
8 Nov 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 11 came on board
10 Nov 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Mail service (guard) by plane established between Kaneohe, Pearl Harbor, and Barber's Point
23 Nov 1942 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: First dental office. Equipment: one portable field outfit.
1 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Raid drill. Torpedo Squadron 11 (VT-11; model TBF) departed. Radio transmission facilities usably complete.
9 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Army 72nd Fighter Squadron, consisting of 21 aircraft (Model P-40K), with a compliment of 25 officers and 229 men, departed for Bellows Field. The 19th Fighter Squadron arrived on board, with 32 aircraft (Model P-40F), 26 officers and 238 men. Note: the 72nd Fighter Squadron and its successor, the 19th Fighter Squadron, were on a constant alert status.
11 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: The 243rd and 244th Marine Scouting/Bombing Squadrons (VMSB-243 & VMSB-244) arrived on board, aircraft based at Ewa. The officers and men departed for Ewa on the 26th of February.
15 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Fighting Squadron 11 (VF-11; Model F4F) arrived. Departed 18 Feb 1943.
18 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Fighting Squadron 11 (VF-11; Model F4F) departed.
23 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Armory turned over to station.
24 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Paving of the original land plane runways completed.
26 Feb 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Officers and men of the 243rd and 244th Marine Scouting/Bombing Squadrons (VMSB-243 & VMSB-244) departed for Ewa.
1 Mar 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215; Model F4U-1) on board. Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222; Model F4U-1) on board. Aviation Operations bldg. usably complete.
4 Mar 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Post Office turned over to station. British Fighter Squadrons 882, 896, and 898 from HMS Victorious ("USS Robin"), arrived on board.
5 Mar 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Additional portions of British Fighter Squadrons 882, 896, and 898 arrived on board.
17 Mar 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) and Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) departed.
27 Mar 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Additions to Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) arrived on board.
30 Mar 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) departed.
1 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Dispensary (150 beds) usably complete.
5 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Theater turned over to station (1200 capacity).
6 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: British Torpedo Squadrons commenced night flying.
9 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of British Fighter Squadrons 882, 896, and 898 departed.
10 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More portions of British Fighter Squadrons 882, 896, and 898 departed. Link Trainer building turned over to station.
12 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Portions of Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) departed. Eight tennis courts for enlisted personnel completed.
15 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) departed.
16 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) on board. Part of British Squadrons 882, 896, and 898 arrived on board.
20 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) departed. Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) departed.
22 Apr 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Fire station and Public Works garage turned over to station.
1 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Command Center - bombproof - usably complete.
4 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of 72nd Construction Battalion (72nd SeaBees) arrived on board.
5 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) arrived on board.
6 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) departed. Part of British Fighter Squadrons 882, 896, and 898 departed. Officers' Club turned over to station.
7 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of British Fighter Squadrons 882, 896, and 898 departed.
8 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) departed.
11 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Planes of Air Group 12 on board.
24 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Torpedo Squadron 12 (VT-12) on board. (F4U-1) [sic]
25 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQ) "C" turned over to station.
27 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Torpedo Squadron 12 (VT-12) departed (Model TBF). Part of British Torpedo Squadron 832 departed.
30 May 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Army 19th Fighter Squadron departed.
1 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9; Model F6F-3) on board. Part of Torpedo Squadron 9 (VT-9; Model TBF-1) on board. Bombing Squadron 9 (VB-9; Model SBD-4) on board. Part of Fleet Air Base Unit 1 departed. Part of Bombing Sq 137 (VB-137; Model PV-1) departed.
2 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Air Group 9 on board.
4 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQ) "D" turned over to station.
8 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Photographic Squadron 3 (VD-3) on board. Brig turned over to station.
10 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 9 departed for USS Essex.
12 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Photographic Squadron 3 (VD-3) on board. Aircraft storehouse, paint and oil storehouse, and Public Works and Maintenance building, turned over to station.
13 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Composite Squadron 12 (VC-12) arrived on board.
14 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Bowling Alley turned over to station.
18 Jun 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Photographic Squadron 3 (VD-3) on board.
1 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Gasoline storage and distribution (1,167,000 gallons) usably complete.
7 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Second commanding officer, Capt DS MacMahan USN, assumed command. Five splinter-proof shelters on beach completed.
14 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Air Group 9 on board.
16 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Four new barracks turned over to station.
20 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) arrived on board.
23 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parachute building turned over to station.
24 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-5; Model F6F-3) on board. Part of Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5; Model TBF-1) on board. Part of Bombing Squadron 5 (VB-5; Model SBD-5) on board.
27 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) on board. Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) departed.
28 Jul 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) departed.
1 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) departed. A & R building usably complete. Telephone system usably complete.
4 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Sewage treatment plant turned over to station.
9 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Fighting Squadron 23 (VF-23; Model F6F-3) on board. SBD-5's and TBF-1's of Air Group 23 on board.
20 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 9 departed.
21 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Air Group 9 departed. Part of Air Group 5 departed. Part of Air Group 23 departed.
22 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Air Group 9 departed. More of Air Group 5 departed. More of Air Group 23 departed.
23 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 16 on board. TBF-1's, SBD-5's, and F6F-3's of Air Group 16 arrived on board.
31 Aug 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: F6F-3's of Fighting Squadron 1 (VF-1) on board.
1 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Hangars A & R (main hangars) usably complete. Addition to land plane runways usably complete.
2 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Photographic Squadron 3 (VD-3) departed.
4 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 16 departed. More of Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-5; Model F6F-3) arrived on board. More of Bombing Squadron 5 (VB-5; Model SBD-5) arrived on board. More of Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5; TBF-1) arrived on board.
8 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Air Group 5 on board.
9 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Air Group 5 on board.
10 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Cold storage building and equipment turned over to station. More of Air Group 16 on board. Part of Torpedo Squadron 16 (VT-16) departed. Part of Bombing Squadron 16 (VB-16) departed.
11 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Torpedo Squadron 16 (VT-16) departed. Part of Bombing Squadron 16 (VB-16) departed.
17 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Black top on landing mat completed. Part of Fighting Squadron 25 (VF-25; Model F6F-3); Torpedo Squadron 25 (VT-25; Model TBF-1), on board. Part of Bombing Squadron 25 (VB-25; Model SBD-5) on board.
19 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of Air Group 25 on board.
24 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Portions of Air Group 1 arrived on board.
30 Sep 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Composite Squadron 24 (VC-24) on board.
3 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Officers and men of ACORN-14 arrived on board.
4 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Officers and men of ACORN-14 arrived on board. Ten men of ARGUS-12 arrived on board.
5 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Fifteen officers and 78 men of ARGUS-10 on board.
7 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Nine officers and 108 men of ACORN-16 on board. Eight officers and 131 men of ACORN-16 on board.
14 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Four officers and 267 men of Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 552 (CBMU-552) on board.
17 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: About 0010, a small float-type monoplane was picked up by the searchlight of NAS, Barber's Point. The plane, presumably a Japanese reconnaissance plane, attempted to dodge the searchlights, and sped out to sea at a low altitude [an E14Y "Glen" floatplane was launched from submarine I-36 120 miles south-southwest of Oahu and failed to return]. One staff officer of Task Group 19.13 on board.
19 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Twenty-two officers and 500 men of CASU-17; 12 officers and 175 men of ACORN-14; 22 officers and 132 men of ARGUS-12; 2 officers and 190 men of CASU-18; 19 officers and 139 men of ARGUS-15; 5 officers and 383 men of ACORN-16; and one staff officer of Task Group 19.14 arrived on board.
31 Oct 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: 76th Construction Battalion (76th SeaBees) arrived on board.
18 Nov 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of 95th Construction Battalion (95th SeaBees) departed.
25 Nov 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Two officers of ACORN-20; 11 officers of ACORN-21; 2 officers of CASU-30; 1 officer of ARGUS-18; 1 officer of ARGUS-21; and 1 officer of ARGUS-22 arrived on board. Parts of ACORN-17 and CASU-16 departed. Part of ARGUS-16 departed. Two officers of ACORN-22 and 1 officer of CASU-30 arrived on board.
29 Nov 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Two men of CASU-34 arrived on board.
1 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of ACORN-20, ARGUS-18, ACORN-21, CASU-30, ACORN-22, CASU-34, ARGUS-21, ARGUS-22, and 4 officers and 99 men of GROPAC-4; plus 1 officer of GROPAC-2 arrived on board. More of ACORN-20, CASU-20, CASU-30, GROPAC-2, and 2 officers and 38 men of GROPAC-5 arrived on board, plus 1 officer and 17 men of Task Group 19.18.
4 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: One officer and 16 men of Task Group 19.19 arrived.
5 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of GROPAC-4 arrived on board. Planes of Composite Squadron 41 (VC-41) and Composite Squadron 33 (VC-33) on board.
7 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of ACORN-22 and GROPAC-2 arrived on board.
8 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Four officers and 99 men of GROPAC-4 departed.
9 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Three officers and 23 men of GROPAC-5 departed. More of ARGUS-15 arrived on board. Air Group 6 arrived on board.
11 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Fourteen men of GROPAC-5 departed.
12 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of ACORN-21 arrived on board.
13 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of CASU-30 arrived.
14 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of ARGUS-18 arrived.
23 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of CASU-20 arrived.
25 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of GROPAC-4 [communications and support group for advanced air bases] arrived.
29 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of CASU-20 arrived. 19 aircraft (Model F4U), 19 officers and 25 men of Night Fighting Squadron 101 (VF(N)-101) arrived on board.
31 Dec 1943 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Eight officers and 107 men of D-2, Unit 2, on board.
1 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of 76th Construction Battalion (76th SeaBees) arrived. More of 72nd Construction Battalion (72nd SeaBees) arrived. Five officers and 240 men of the 56th Construction Battalion (56th SeaBees) departed.
4 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ACORN-20 arrived.
7 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Planes of Air Group 12 on board.
10 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of CASU-34 departed. Part of Air Group 6 departed. Part of Air Group 12 departed.
20 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Ten quonset huts for officers' quarters, 10 quonset huts for enlisted men's barracks, turned over to station. More of ARGUS-15 on board. Part of GROPAC-2 departed. Part of Task Group 19.19 departed. Part of ACORN-20 departed. Part of CASU-20 departed. Part of ARGUS-18 departed.
24 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of CASU-30 departed.
25 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-22 departed. More of ACORN-21 arrived. Part of ACORN-21 departed.
28 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Task Group 19.18 departed. Part of ACORN-21 departed. Part of GROPAC-4 departed.
31 Jan 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ACORN-22 departed. Part of GROPAC-2 departed.
2 Feb 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-15 departed.
3 Feb 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-22 departed.
5 Feb 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ACORN-22 departed.
6 Feb 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-22 departed. Part of CASU-30 departed.
13 Feb 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Thirty aircraft (Model F6F-3) and 45 officers of Night Fighting Squadron 76 (VF(N)-76) departed. Air Group 2 arrived on board.
15 Feb 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Photographic Squadron 4 (VD-4) arrived on board.
3 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Night Fighting Squadron 77 (VF(N)-77; Model F6F) departed.
4 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Composite Squadron 30 (VC-30) and Composite Squadron 25 (VC-25) on board.
5 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 15 on board.
15 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Acetylene Generation and Oxygen Manifold building turned over to station.
17 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Eighteen aircraft (Model F6F-5), officers and men of Night Fighting Squadron 77 (VF(N)-77) arrived on board.
19 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Officers and men of Air Group 100 arrived on board.
20 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Officers and men of Air Group 100 arrived on board.
21 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Officers and men of Air Group 100 arrived on board.
23 Mar 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 19 on board.
1 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 100 commissioned this date. (AG-100 is a pilot replacement air group)
4 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 14 arrived on board.
6 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Water Supply (water development project) turned over to station. Part of 125th Construction Battalion (125th SeaBees) arrived on board.
7 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Five officers and 91 men of D-2, Unit 2, departed.
15 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of 116th Construction Battalion (116th SeaBees) arrived on board. Part of 72nd Construction Battalion (72nd SeaBees) departed.
17 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-17 arrived on board.
21 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Thirty-seven aircraft (Model F6F-3), 19 aircraft (Model TBF), 77 officers and 92 men of Air Group 20 arrived on board.
24 Apr 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-15 departed.
2 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: First mention made of Night Combat Training Unit.
4 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Blackout discontinued.
6 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-17 departed.
7 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Composite Squadron 28 (VC-28) arrived on board.
8 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Two officers and 97 men of ARGUS-8 arrived on board. Two officers and 91 men of ARGUS-7 arrived on board. Parts of Air Group 11 arrived on board.
10 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: More of ARGUS-17 departed.
11 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Composite Squadron 5 (VC-5) and Composite Squadron 10 (VC-10) on board.
14 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Grading for the foundation began on the engine overhaul facility.
26 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Housing for gunairstructors, 3 quonset huts, turned over to station.
28 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of Air Group 18 on board.
29 May 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 28 arrived on board. Part of CASU-48, CASU-49, arrived on board.
4 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of CASU-48 departed.
8 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of CASU-43 arrived on board.
10 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of Air Group 19 on board.
11 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of CASU-45 arrived on board. Part of ARGUS-22 arrived.
12 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Fifteen aircraft (Model F6F), 2 aircraft (Model TBF), 28 officers and 25 men of Night Fighting Squadron 78 (VF(N)-78) arrived on board. Thirteen aircraft (Model F6F), 5 aircraft (Model TBF), 29 officers and 16 men of Night Fighting Squadron 79 (VF(N)-79) arrived on board.
14 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 3 on board.
15 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of Air Group 20 on board.
18 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 11 arrived on board.
23 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of ARGUS-15, ARGUS-17, and ARGUS-23 departed.
24 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of ARGUS-15, ARGUS-17, and ARGUS-23 departed.
25 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of ARGUS-15, ARGUS-17, and ARGUS-23 departed.
29 Jun 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Camera Repair School (quonset hut) turned over to station. Parts of Air Group 21 on board.
2 Jul 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of CASU-43 departed.
4 Jul 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of ARGUS-15 departed.
6 Jul 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Sixteen men of WIMU (special ordinance project) arrived on board. Part of Air Group 22 arrived.
19 Jul 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Pouring began on the foundation for the engine overahaul facility.
21 Jul 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Recreation facilities - 6 handball courts and one basketball court for officers; and 2 handball courts, 2 basketball courts, and one athletic field for enlisted men, turned over to station.
26 Jul 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Twenty-two officers of D-1, IRON-74, arrived on board.
30 Jul 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of CASU-49 departed.
4 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Parts of Night Air Group 102 on board.
6 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Twelve ready-service magazines turned over to station.
9 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of 125th Construction Battalion (125th SeaBees) departed.
13 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Night Fighting Squadron 79 (VF(N)-79) departed.
15 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Night Fighting Squadron 78 (VF(N)-78) departed.
17 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Third commanding officer, Capt Erl CB Gould USNR assumed command of station. Sixteen aircraft (Model F6F), 33 officers and 24 men of Night Fighting Squadron 103 (VF(N)-103) arrived on board.
18 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Night Attack and Combat Training Unit commissioned, Capt JH Griffin, commanding. On this date it was composed of 21 F6F's, 10 TBM's, 4 F4U's, 2 SB2C's, and 1 SNV. Compliment: 11 officers and 24 men.
20 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Thirteen men of D-1, Unit 5, arrived on board.
25 Aug 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Night Air Group 42 (CVLG(N)-42) commissioned.
1 Sep 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Bomb-proof powerhouse and equipment usably complete.
5 Sep 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Night Air Group 104 on board.
9 Oct 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Night Air Group 106 on board.
15 Oct 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Aircraft storage area of 150 acres near Iroquois Point opened.
16 Oct 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 4 on board.
18 Oct 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Air Group 45 on board.
28 Oct 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Composite Squadron 90 (VC-90) on board.
1 Nov 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Night Air Group 90 on board.
6 Nov 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Observation Fighting Squadron 1 (VOF-1) on board.
14 Nov 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Nine PBY's of Headquarters Squadron Fleet Air Wing 2 (HEDRON FAW-2) on board.
18 Nov 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 23 on board.
20 Nov 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: The first engine overhauled in the new progressive engine overall plant, completed its test stand run.
4 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: First overall of Mk 13 torpedo completed at the newly upgraded torpedo shop.
6 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 33 arrived on board.
9 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Experiments with jet propulsion on planes were conducted on this station. Air Group 9 on board.
15 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Simulated amphibious maneuvers were held just off the southwest corner of this base. Attending the maneuvers, and guests at this station, included Vice Admirals Mark [sic] A Mitscher, and George D Murray.
16 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 42 departed.
19 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Officers moved into the first of 3 new JOQs. [Junior Officer Quarters ?]
21 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 42 returned to station.
22 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 43 arrived on board.
24 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 90 departed.
30 Dec 1944 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 48 arrived on board.
2 Jan 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 53 was formed this date, from Air Groups 42, 43, and 48, which were aboard.
10 Jan 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: The first 2 enlisted WAVES arrived for duty this date.
30 Jan 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: The first WAVE officer reported for duty this date.
10 Feb 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Catapult and Arresting Gear facilities turned over to station as usably complete.
11 Feb 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Catapult and Arresting Gear facilities first used (VF-100 with FM-2 and F6F-5 aircraft).
14 Feb 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 85 arrived on board.
20 Feb 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: The first major contingent of WAVES arrived this date. Air Group 33 departed. Air Group 5 arrived on board.
28 Feb 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 5 departed.
2 Mar 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 85 departed.
4 Mar 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Single day maximum of arrested landings (69).
8 Mar 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 91 arrived on board.
21 Mar 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 53 arrived on board.
28 Mar 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: All major units of Construction Battalion have departed this station.
4 Apr 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Task Force 19.9.9, comprised of Scouting Squadron 46 (VS-46), Scouting Squadron 53 (VS-53), and Scouting Squadron 69 (VS-69) arrived on board. All major construction on the Inshore Patrol Squadron area completed, including parking mat, nose hangar, enlisted barracks, mess hall, BOQ's, and shop space. Carrier Air Group 31 (CVG-31) on board.
5 Apr 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 31 arrived on board.
6 Apr 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Station commemorated its 3rd anniversary. Bagley outdoor theater commissioned this date. Guests included Admiral Bagley, Gov Stainback of the Territory of Hawaii, Brig General LWT Waller, Jr., USMC, and Commodore BL Austen.
26 Apr 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 31 departed.
30 Apr 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 6 arrived on board.
3 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: The following squadrons and air groups aboard at this time: Carrier Air Group 100 (CVG-100); Carrier Night Air Group 91 (CVGN-91); Carrier Night Air Group 53 (CVGN-53); Air Photographic Squadron 3 (VD-3); Air Group 6; CASU - Photographic Training Unit.
6 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Carrier Night Air Group 53 (CVGN-53) departed.
7 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: V-E Day. [Victory in Europe]
9 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Composite Squadron 63 (VC-63) arrived on board.
16 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Inspection of engine overhaul facilities by Vice Admiral JH Newton, USN; Commodore HE Overesh, USN; Captain RE Farnsworth, USN; Commander GC Briant, USNR; Captain EA Tarbutton, USN.
17 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Single day maximum of catapult launches (22).
20 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Composite Squadron 63 (VC-63) departed.
21 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Carrier Air Group 91 (CVG-91) departed. Escort Carrier Air Group 33 (CVEG-33) arrived on board.
26 May 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Carrier Night Air Group 52 (CVGN-52) arrived on board.
6 Jun 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 33 arrived.
8 Jun 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Rear Admiral CP Mason made an inspection of the station.
9 Jun 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: A reception was given by the station in honor of Rear Admiral Mason, Commander, Naval Air Bases, Fourteenth Naval District.
11 Jun 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 6 departed.
19 Jun 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 86 arrived.
23 Jun 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 33 departed.
1 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Vice Admiral George D Murray, US Navy, was awarded Honorary Degree of Doctor of Naval Science by Boston College at this station.
2 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Commander WC King relieved Captain Erl CB Gould as Commanding Officer of this station. Photographic Squadron 3 (VD-3) departed.
4 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 63 arrived.
8 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 10 arrived.
9 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Lieut. Comdr. Holt assumed duty as Acting Executive Officer of station, relieving Commander Allan Lowrey.
11 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 86 departed.
13 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Four members of Congressional Committee inspected this station. Present: Edward VM IZAC, Albert A GORE, Andrew J BIEMILLER and CW BISHOP.
23 Jul 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 10 departed.
1 Aug 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 52 arrived.
3 Aug 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 13 arrived.
4 Aug 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 52 departed.
17 Aug 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 36 arrived.
26 Aug 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 52 arrived. Air Group 13 departed.
27 Aug 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 36 departed.
30 Aug 1945 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 63 departed.
18 Jun 1952 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Marine Corps Air Station Ewa closed with the facility absorbed into the adjacent NAS Barbers Point.
10 Sep 1974 Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Dedicated as John Rogers Field, the original name of the field that later became Honolulu International Airport.
1 Jul 1999 Barbers Point Naval Air Station disestablished (closed) with the property turned over to the State of Hawaii for use as Kalaeola Airport.




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
24 Jun 2015 02:20:32 PM

I had a brother in World War Two. He served in the Navy and was attached to the ACORN units. Can you tell me what these units were and their missions? Thanks
2. Mark says:
29 Dec 2017 05:26:55 PM

I would like to add to your NAS Barbers Pt. timeline by including Air Group 19 (VBF-19) arrival in Oct. 1945 and later departure in Apr. 1946. My father was an LT at the time and was constantly engaged in flying exercises. Thanks

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Modern Day Location
WW2-Era Place Name Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii
Lat/Long 21.3072, -158.0703
Barbers Point Naval Air Station Photo Gallery
Formation of TBM-1 Avengers on a training flight from NAS Barbers Point, Oahu, Hawaii, early 1943.
See all 13 photographs of Barbers Point Naval Air Station


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