Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A.

Size: 14 × 17 inches

Features: Hickam Field (Pearl Harbor) - John Rodgers Field - Kahuku Field - Mokuleia - Wheeler Field

This exceptionally rare, museum-grade World War II artifact is an original CONFIDENTIAL double-sided pilot’s flight airfield runway chart, dated January 1944, and specially produced by the Assistant Chief of Air Staff Intelligence - Headquarters Army Air Force (Washington, D.C.). Issued in extremely limited quantities, this World War II airfield runway map was distributed only to USAAF Squadron Groups and Headquarters, intended for use aboard operational aircraft under the supervision of commanding officers.

Due to its highly sensitive nature, if an aircraft carrying this chart was forced down over enemy territory, the classified material was to be destroyed by burning. If ditched at sea, it was to be sunk “by the most practical method” to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands. Containing critical flight navigation and runway landing assistance for islands throughout the Pacific Theater, this chart was an essential tool for World War II pilots.

Titled “Hawaiian Islands" this U.S. Army Air Force pilot’s flight airfield map (double-sided) provides detailed navigational aids, including the precise locations of Oahu military airfields and seaplane anchorages for either operational or emergency landing purposes.

Both sides of this airfield navigation chart feature detailed airfield layout as well as CONFIDENTIAL military intelligence photographs offering aerial perspectives used by pilots, co-pilots, and navigators to determine their exact positioning in relation to the airfield runways. These CONFIDENTIAL images provided essential real-time point-of-view reference points, mirroring what aircrews would see during their operations over the Hawaiian Islands during the war.

This artifact is a remarkable piece of aviation and military history, offering a rare glimpse into the intelligence materials that guided U.S. forces during World War II.

The U.S. Military on Oahu During World War II (1944-1945): Airfields, Operations, and Pilots:

By 1944, the island of Oahu had become the backbone of American military operations in the Pacific. In the aftermath of the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the island was transformed into one of the most heavily fortified military installations in the world. The U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps significantly expanded their presence, turning Oahu into the primary staging area for offensive operations against Japan. While Pearl Harbor served as the epicenter of naval strategy, the island’s airfields—Hickam Field, John Rodgers Field, Kahuku Field, Mokuleia Field, and Wheeler Field—played an essential role in supporting the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and their relentless campaign in the Pacific.

By 1944 and into 1945, Oahu's airfields became crucial launching points for long-range bombing missions, pilot training programs, and the rapid deployment of fighter squadrons. As the U.S. pushed closer to Japan with the island-hopping strategy, Oahu remained an essential hub for aerial operations, providing logistics, repair, and reinforcement for air units operating in the Mariana Islands, Iwo Jima, and eventually Okinawa. The airmen stationed at these bases played a decisive role in ensuring U.S. aerial supremacy in the final years of the war.

Hickam Field: The Strategic Heart of Army Air Force Operations

Hickam Field was the most critical air base on Oahu, directly adjacent to Pearl Harbor. It served as the headquarters for the Seventh Air Force (7AF), which coordinated air defense, reconnaissance, and bombing missions across the Pacific. Initially devastated in the Pearl Harbor attack, Hickam Field was fully operational by 1944 and played a pivotal role in the air war against Japan.

One of the primary functions of Hickam Field in 1944-1945 was to support the deployment of B-24 Liberator bombers and later B-29 Superfortresses to forward bases in the Pacific. The long-range bombing missions conducted by the 494th Bomb Group, stationed at Hickam, targeted enemy-held islands such as Iwo Jima, Truk, and the Philippines. The base was also a critical waypoint for aircraft heading to the newly acquired bases in the Marianas, including Guam, Saipan, and Tinian, where B-29 bombers would later launch the devastating air campaign against the Japanese home islands.

Additionally, Hickam Field provided a crucial aerial logistics and repair station. As a major hub for the Army Air Forces, Hickam had vast aircraft maintenance facilities that supported combat-damaged planes returning from battle. The ability to repair and quickly redeploy aircraft kept the U.S. Pacific air campaign running at full speed.

John Rodgers Field: The Evolution into Honolulu International Airport

John Rodgers Field, later renamed Honolulu International Airport, was initially a small civilian airstrip but was heavily militarized during the war. By 1944, it was primarily used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, serving as a secondary landing and refueling base for aircraft supporting the Pacific fleet. It also played a key role in pilot training, particularly for naval aviators preparing for carrier operations.

John Rodgers Field was frequently used by PBY Catalina patrol aircraft, which conducted long-range anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance missions. These flying boats were crucial in protecting the sea lanes around Hawaii from Japanese submarine threats, ensuring the safe movement of troops and supplies across the Pacific.

Kahuku Field: The Fighter Training and Combat Readiness Base

Located on Oahu’s northern tip, Kahuku Army Airfield was one of the most important fighter training facilities in the Pacific. It was home to squadrons flying P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, both of which played a decisive role in escorting bombers on long-range missions against Japan.

Kahuku Field served as a primary training ground for pilots transitioning into combat roles. Fighter pilots here honed their skills in dogfighting, bomber escort tactics, and aerial gunnery training before being deployed to front-line units in the Pacific. By 1944, the growing need for long-range bomber escorts made Kahuku a key location for preparing pilots to fly in the Marianas and later Iwo Jima.

As the war progressed, Kahuku also became an important emergency landing strip for returning aircraft, particularly those damaged in combat over the Pacific. Many wounded pilots and their aircraft found safety in the expansive fields of Kahuku, preventing further loss of life and critical warplanes.

Mokuleia Field: The Training Ground for Aces

Situated on Oahu’s northwestern coast, Mokuleia Army Airfield was another vital facility for training U.S. Army Air Force pilots. This base was used primarily for gunnery training and combat maneuver exercises, particularly for the P-40 Warhawks and P-38 Lightnings that formed the backbone of American fighter units early in the war.

By 1944, Mokuleia was home to the 15th Fighter Group, which operated P-51 Mustangs. These aircraft became the primary long-range escort fighters for the B-29 bombers that would later launch firebombing campaigns over Japan. The rigorous training programs at Mokuleia ensured that pilots were prepared for the grueling missions that awaited them in the final push toward the Japanese home islands.

Wheeler Field: The Home of Fighter Interception

Perhaps the most historically significant airfield on Oahu, Wheeler Field had been central to American air defense since before the war. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, it suffered heavy damage but was quickly rebuilt and reinforced as an essential fighter base for defending Hawaii and supporting offensive operations in the Pacific.

By 1944, Wheeler Field was primarily used by P-38 Lightning and P-47 Thunderbolt squadrons tasked with defending the Hawaiian Islands against any lingering Japanese threats. Though no major attacks occurred after 1942, Wheeler’s role in maintaining combat-ready fighter squadrons ensured that Oahu was protected from potential enemy raids.

In addition to defense, Wheeler Field supported escort missions for B-24 bombers departing from Hickam Field. The combination of long-range bombers and fighter cover from Wheeler ensured that the U.S. Army Air Forces could launch deep strikes against Japanese-held territory without fear of interception.

The Impact of Oahu’s Airfields on the War Effort

The network of airfields across Oahu in 1944-1945 made the island the primary airpower hub of the Pacific theater. The ability to train new pilots, repair combat-damaged aircraft, and launch strategic bombing missions from Hawaii significantly contributed to the U.S. war effort. These airfields not only protected the vital naval and logistical assets at Pearl Harbor but also ensured that the Pacific air campaign could operate at full strength as American forces moved closer to Japan.

By mid-1945, as the war neared its end, Oahu’s airfields continued to serve as a crucial launching point for B-29 bombers and fighter squadrons. The final preparations for Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of Japan, saw thousands of aircraft cycle through Hickam, Wheeler, and Kahuku in anticipation of the largest air assault in history. However, the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 brought the war to an abrupt conclusion before the invasion could occur.

The U.S. military presence on Oahu in 1944-1945 was defined by the island’s strategic airfields, which played a central role in the Pacific air war. The airfields at Hickam, John Rodgers, Kahuku, Mokuleia, and Wheeler were essential for training, bomber deployments, fighter escort missions, and logistical support. As a key outpost in the Pacific, Oahu was the heartbeat of American airpower, ensuring victory in the largest aerial campaign of World War II.