The base was located on Tarawa atoll in the Gilbert Islands in the Central Pacific Ocean.

Construction started after the Battle of Tarawa ended November 23, 1943, part of Operation Galvanic.

[1] [2] To support the Battle of Tarawa a US Navy fast carrier strike group was founded.

New to the strike group was stationing US submarines around Tarawa to rescue downed aircrew quickly.

From Naval Base Funafuti the US Navy sent 24 Consolidated PBY Catalina and PV-1 Lockheed Ventura planes to support operations.

The pontoon barge was used to bring the 98th Seabee Naval Construction Battalion equipment and gear ashore.

The Seabee built a causeway dock so small boats and barges could unload supplies.

Seabees built a 100-bed quonset hut hospital, control tower, an 500,000-gallon aviation-gasoline tank farm.

Betio had no docks, gear was put on barges and dragged to shore over tidal flats and reefs.

[4][5] United States Army Air Forces 41st Bombardment Group operated North American B-25 Mitchell out of Betio and Bonriki.