 The squadron completed its movement to Goodenough Island on 26 June and began flying air defence sorties from Vivigani Airfield as part of No. 73 Wing . It did not intercept any Japanese aircraft while operating from this base , however . The squadron moved to Kirwina Airfield on Kiriwina between 9 and 18 August , from where it operated alongside the P @-@ 40 Kittyhawk @-@ equipped No. 76 Squadron . This was the closest Allied airfield to the major Japanese base at Rabaul and was expected to be regularly attacked . No Japanese raids were made on the airfield during the first weeks of the squadron 's deployment there , however , and its pilots were disappointed to not see combat while conducting patrols in support of United States Army Air Forces ( USAAF ) raids on Rabaul . The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ( IJAAF ) began a series of attacks on Goodenough Island and Kiriwina in early October , however , and the squadron claimed its first victory in 31 October when one of its Spitfires shot down a Kawasaki Ki @-@ 61 fighter 2 miles ( 3 @.@ 2 km ) north of Kiriwina ( this type of aircraft was labelled the " Tony " by the Allies ) . 
