 The base was complete by 7 December 1941.On 15 December 1941 the atoll was shelled by a Japanese submarine outside the reef, several buildings were hit, but no personnel were injured.In July 1942 the civilian contractors at the atoll were replaced by 500 Seebees from the 5th and 10th Naval Construction Battalions, who expanded the fuel storage and water production at the base and built additional facilities.