Kiriwina Airfield
Losuia Airport | |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Location | Losuia, on the island of Kiriwina, Papua New Guinea |
| Opened | 1943 |
| Elevation AMSL | 21 ft / 6 m |
 | |
Losuia Airport is an airport in Losuia, on the island of Kiriwina, Papua New Guinea.
History
Kiriwina Airfield was a coral surfaced 6,000 feet (1,800 m) long x 150 feet (46 m) wide single runway, built by US Army Engineers with assistance from combat troops shortly after occupying the island on 30 June 1943 during World War II. A C-47 was the first aircraft to land at the airfield on 2 August 1943. US Navy Seabees from the 60th Naval Construction Battalion expanded the airfield constructing a 7,000 feet (2,100 m) taxiway, 25 fighter hardstands, a 5,300 feet (1,600 m) taxiway and 16 bomber hardstands. Also known as South Drome, upon completion of North Drome on the northern part of Kiriwina.
Allied Units based at Kiriwina Airfield
- No. 22 Squadron RAAF - Douglas Boston
- No. 30 Squadron RAAF - Bristol Beaufighter
- No. 76 Squadron RAAF - Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk
- No. 78 Squadron RAAF - Kittyhawks
- No. 79 Squadron RAAF - Supermarine Spitfire
- No. 6 Mobile Works Squadron RAAF
- No. 12 Repair and Salvage Unit RAAF
- No. 114 Mobile Fighter Sector RAAF
Airlines and destinations
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| PNG Air | Alotau |
References
- ^ Airport information for AYKA at Great Circle Mapper.
- ^ Accident history for LSA at Aviation Safety Network
- ^ "Building the Navy's Bases, vol. 2 (part III, chapter 26)". US Navy.
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