with the united states entry into the war in december, the primary mission of vernam field was antisubmarine patrols in the northern caribbean. in addition, the florida-based army air forces school of applied tactics would send student groups to vernam for advanced base operations training in combat tactics, returning to florida after completion. by 1944, the airfield had fallen into "backwater" status, as the anti-submarine war in the caribbean had moved much further south towards south america and panama. after the departure of the 35th bomb squadron, the remaining units assigned to the field were a detachment of the 10588th ordnance company and the 305th signal company, along with a medical detachment. on 30 june 1944, eleanor roosevelt visited the station.