Commencing in August 1942, the prisoners, along with thousands of Javanese- and local labourers, built the airfield by hand, including a  runway, on a site composed of tufa. The airfield received its first flight in December 1942, when General Yamawaki Masataka landed in a bomber aircraft and declared the airfield open. At various times in 1945, all remaining prisoners of war were evacuated from the vicinity of the airfield, with all but six dying during what became known as the Sandakan Death Marches.
The construction of the airfield involved prisoners, Javanese laborers, and local workers in August 1942. The airfield was operational by December 1942 when General Yamawaki Masataka landed a bomber aircraft and declared it open.  All remaining prisoners were evacuated from the area in 1945, except for six who died during what became known as the Sandakan Death Marches.