 Just of runway was sufficient for the Kittyhawks and Spitfires but the runway was increased to by late April.B-24s of 5th Bombardment Group moved in on 18 April 1944 and flew their first mission, against Woleai two days later.Plans called for a second airfield at Salami Plantation, but surveys revealed that the site was unsuitable and a new site was found in a coconut plantation near Mokerang.