Naval Base Gilbert Islands were naval bases built by the United States Navy in 1943 to support the World War II effort. The bases were located on in the Gilbert Islands in the Central Pacific Ocean. The bases were built as part of the many advance bases in the island-hopping campaign towards the Empire of Japan. The largest base was the Naval Base Tarawa. At Tarawa the Navy built a seaport, supply depots, a small ship repair depot, Carrier Aircraft Service Unit, seaplane base and two airbases. Construction started after the Battle of Tarawa ended on November 23, 1943, part of Operation Galvanic. The bases were built by the US Navy's Seabees, Naval Construction Battalions. After the war the bases were abandoned. Some of the airfields became civilian airports.
Naval Base Gilbert Islands
Naval Base Tarawa, a very large base. Tarawa Seaplane base VP-13 with Consolidated PBY Catalina VP-202 with Martin PBM Mariner Mullinix Field, became Bonriki International Airport Hawkins Field, abandoned and after the war. Naval Base Abemama O’Hare Field after war became Abemama Airport Naval Base Makin on Makin Island Makin Airfield became Butaritari Airport