The Mosquito Network: American Military Radio in the Solomon Islands During World War II

Abstract

"The American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides Stateside radio and television programming, ‘a touch of home,' to U.S. service men and women, DoD civilians, and their families serving outside the continental United States" (AFRTS, 2004). Bagram, Baghdad, Kabul, and Kandahar are the familiar names of conflict zones in 2004. In these faraway operational theaters, the AFRTS provides a homey electronic media touch to the lives of the troops. Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Noumea, and Bougainville-these were the familiar names from another conflict, the Second World War. Exactly 60 years ago, the precursor of the modern-day AFRTS was also providing comfort for troops far from home in these remote Pacific Islands.