Palmyra (Cooper Airport)-- Part 2: Three Runways At One Time

On January 16, 1942, six Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses from Hawaii, under the command of Lt. Col. Walter C. Sweeney Jr. (who commanded the Army Air Force Task Group during the Battle of Midway in June 1942).  Also, the Marine VMF-2211 used the airfield.

Two other runways were also built and used.  One was on Mengle Island  and the other one on Sand Island.    Both of these runways are now overgrown with plants and returning to jungle.

The U.S. Air Force maintained the main runway until 1961  It still exists today but can only be used by prior permission or in case of emergency.

--GreGen