The Kido Butai had steamed through the great wastes of the North Pacific. Known today more for the giant garbage patch it is perhaps the single most desolate swath of water in the world.

The fleet was in position almost due North of Oahu when it came time to launch the strike. This position was chosen as it would give the strike the best chance to avoid detection from either patrol craft or passing merchant vessels. Here is the map of the fleet's track out and back.

For the air wings then the position allowed them to mask their arrival from the center of US forces around Pearl Harbor on the Southern coast of the island. What is not shown on the map is the large mountains running essentially North-South on the island, with Wheeler Field in the central valley. Route of the 1st and 2nd waves.