Two airstrips were built, and three bomber squadrons were moved to the islands to conduct raids against Japanese targets in Southeast Asia and to provide support during the planned re-invasion of Malaya and reconquest of Singapore.

South African Airways aircraft operated between Johannesburg and Perth refuelled at this airport en-route before 1970.

The 2016 Australian Defence White Paper stated that the airfield would be upgraded to support the RAAF's P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

[4] Work was scheduled to begin in early 2023 and completed by 2026, though the costs of the upgrade had increased significantly.

It is planned that the airfield will act as a forward operating base for Australian surveillance and electronic warfare aircraft in the region.