Discover the history of JACADS on Johnston Atoll, the U.S. Army’s first chemical weapons disposal site. Learn about its role in destroying Agent Orange and nerve agents, plus its environmental and veteran impact.

Australia played a significant role in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) under General Douglas MacArthur, conducting numerous amphibious campaigns, particularly in New Guinea and Borneo. Australian forces, often supported by U.S. air and naval units, were instrumental in liberating Japanese-held territories, leveraging their experience in jungle warfare and amphibious operations honed in earlier campaigns.

The decision to invade specific Pacific islands was driven by the need to overcome the era’s technological and human constraints. Communications required relay stations on islands like Saipan to bridge vast distances; aircraft needed airfields like Iwo Jima’s to extend their limited ranges; and ships demanded anchorages like Okinawa’s to sustain fuel and crew endurance. These invasions secured the infrastructure necessary to dismantle Japan’s defensive perimeter, support Allied advances, and ultimately force Japan’s surrender, while bypassing less critical strongholds preserved resources and minimized losses

A Brief History of Johnston Island