At the War Department's suggestion, an initial reconnaissance of Amchitka was carried out in September 1942, which found that it would be difficult to build an airstrip on the island.

[2] A reconnaissance mission visited Amchitka from 17 to 19 December and reported that a fighter strip could be built in two to three weeks, and a main airfield in three to four months.

A strong current, however, swept Worden onto a pinnacle that tore into a hull beneath the engine room and caused a complete loss of power.

[6][7] During the first night ashore a "willowaw" (violent squall) smashed many of the landing boats and swept a troop transport aground.

Lasting for nearly two weeks, the blizzard finally subsided enough to reveal to a Japanese scout plane from Kiska the American beachhead on Amchitka.

Harassed by bombing and strafing attacks from Kiska, engineers continued work on an airfield on Amchitka, completing it in mid-February.