Company B, 803rd Engineer (Aviation) Battalion (Separate) began Del Carmen airfield in early November 1941.

Construction was to encompass barracks for 2,750 officers and enlisted men, both combat and support units, including one company of aviation engineers; aircraft and bomb storage warehouses; aircraft revetments, hospital and dispensary; under and above-ground storage for 750,000 gallons of gasoline, and a supporting road network.

Dust from the areas maritime and volcanic soils plagued the squadron's air operations.

The 34th suffered a few casualties in combat, including its commander Lt. Sam Maret, but the Japanese destroyed most of the 34th's P-35A's with a bombing and strafing attack on 10 December.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency