After the defeat of the Japanese, Kwajalein was developed into a major United States Military airbase and staging area for further operations by
Seabees of the 109th Naval Construction Battalions. After the war, the United States used Kwajalein as a main command center and preparation base for
Operation Crossroads and an extensive series of nuclear tests (comprising a total of 67 blasts) at the Marshalls' atolls of
Bikini and
Enewetak. On
Memorial Day 1967, Kwajalein Airfield was renamed
Bucholz Army Airfield after PFC Fred Henry Bucholz (1907–1944), posthumous recipient of the
Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in the
Battle of Kwajalein. Passengers may disembark and reboard at each stop or remain on the Island Hopper with the exception of Kwajalein, where passengers are prohibited from leaving the aircraft unless they have prior authorization from the U.S. government, as the atoll is an active military installation served via Bucholz Army Airfield. Photography and videography there are also restricted. == Airlines and destinations ==