The Japanese invasion strategy was an opportunistic, rapid seizure of southern resources that relied on leapfrogging airfields to extend their combat range.

“the Japanese will land an amphibious party a brigade or a regiment or a battalion in some cases. They're going to grab the local airfield. They bring in base personnel and engineers. They refurb that airfield and put it back into operation sometimes overnight and then they fly in a new group of airc”