On 2 January 1942 with the Japanese approaching, they prepared the airfield for demolition, blowing holes in the runway, and logs and pipes to prevent aircraft from landing.

Nonetheless, by December 1942 the airfield was further improved by the Japanese with bitumen surfacing, an electrical power plant, underground fuel tanks, and new pillboxes and trenches.

A detachment of USAAF 419th Night Fighter Squadron flew P-61 Black Widows from the airfield from 25 January – 27 May 1944 before moving forward into New Guinea.

[citation needed] Today the airport is the primary air portal into Bougainville, and even 75 years after the war, wreckage from the military use of the airfield by the Japanese and Americans is easily found in the area.

A small single storey terminal building houses check-in counters for both airlines serving the airport.