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LORAN STATION BIKATI

3 16 19.8 N 172 40 35.9 E MIT
3 15 28.13 N 172 41 13.47 E Google Earth

Fact Sheet

Site Survey: 20 NOV 1943

Construction Date 30 AUG 1944 – SEP 1944
16 DEC 1944 Station commissioned and turnover to 14th District

Constructed by: CONSTRUCTION DET “A”

Established: SEP 1944

Disestablished: 13 JUL 1951 

Operated by: USCG

Chain: MARSHALL ISLANDS

Station Letter designation: 2L3, “L”

Station code name:

Station Unit Number: CG Unit 84
Navy 824

Radio Call Sign:

Station aka: Makin, Gilbert Atoll, VARSITY 

On-air testing date: 20 OCT 1944

Operational date: 25 NOV 1944

Operations Ceased: JUL 1951

Station Operation: Single SLAVE

Station pair: 2L3 - ROGURON

Loran Rate: 2L3

On-Air: 2L3 – 25 NOV 1944

Off-Air 2L3 – JUL 1951 Chain reconfiguration

Monitor Rate:

Equipment:

Personnel Allowance:

Miscellaneous: Station located on Bikati (Varsity) Island.
16 AUG 1945 - DC to AC completed
05 JUN 1949 - CO Stabbed to death by a SN

Commanding Officers /
Officers in Charge
1st CO: ENS/LTJG Charles A Rollston 1944 – 21 OCT 1945
CO: LTJG John F Thomas 21 OCT 1945 – 1946
CO: LTJG Ellsworth A Winette 1946 - 1947
CO: LTJG Roger Devan ? - 05 JUN 1949 (Murdered by SN)
CO: LTJG Dudley C Goodwin JUN 1949 - ? (Temporary Relief)
CO: LTJG John P Obarski 1949 – 12 AUG 1950
CO: ENS Darrel W Starr 12 AUG 1950 - 1951
Last CO: LT Green 1951 - JUL 1951

Documents:

12 Aug 1950 -Letter of Relief - pdf
1944 - 1945 Robert Henchal Photo Album assigned to CG Construction Detachment - contributed by daughter Tess
22 Jan 1948 - USCGC KUKUI Inspection Report (partial) - pdf

Pictures

Google Earth

The photos below were retrieved from NARA Washington,DC

Taken by H.Garrett c./1948

c./May 4, 1946