Type Military Seaplane Base Built by Seebees Year built 1942 | Condition abandoned In use 1942-5 Controlled by United States Navy | |
Luganville Seaplane Base is a former World War II seaplane base in the Segond Channel between the islands of Espiritu Santo and Aore Island in the New Hebrides Islands.
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World War II
The first bases on Espiritu Santo were established as defensive bases to guard the existing facility at Efate and to support the Solomon Islands Campaign, however its strategic location led to its expansion into one of the largest advance bases in the South Pacific. The 7th Naval Construction Battalion arrived on Santo on 11 August 1942 and began construction of more extensive air facilities to support the Guadalcanal Campaign. The 7th Battalion constructed a parking area, two pre-fabricated 85 ft by 100 ft nose hangars, warehouses, quonset huts, and two seaplane ramps at Belchif Point on the Segond Channel between the Renee and Sarakata Rivers. The 57th Naval Construction Battalion later built two seaplane drydocks at the base.
US Navy units based at the base included:
all operating PBYs.
US Navy ships supporting seaplane operations included:
Royal New Zealand Air Force units operating from the base included:
Postwar
NOB Espiritu Santo disestablished on 12 June 1946. The base's onshore facilities are now overgrown and are under private ownership.