Knowing that the rainy season would start in September, General George Kenney, was looking for bases to support the campaigns in reduction of the Japanese stronghold at  Lae.   Kenny hoped a base could be established at Nadzab before the rains came and his attention focused on an old landing field at Marilinan.

The 5th AF fighter CG Paul 'Squeeze' Wurtsmith overflew the field in a P-40, and determined that it would only be sufficient for C-47's.  Nearby Tsili Tsili would  be developed as a fighter strip.

A party of aviation engineers made a long overland journey to reach the Marilinan strip. With the help of natives they cleared enough ground to permit C-47 transports to land. Then an air-borne engineer battalion was ferried in.  It required over 100 C-47 loads to accomplish the transfer of the unit.  An airborne antiaircraft company was then brought in for protection of the field. 

It was operational within a month.