Mareeba Airfield
Encyclopedia
Mareeba Airfield is an airfield located near Mareeba, Queensland
, Australia
. Built in 1942 as a US Army Air Force base during World War II
, the airfield had two runways, with a complement of taxiways, hardstands and a containment area. After the war, much of the airfield reverted to agricultural use, while the southern runway remains as an active airfield.
With the departure of the American units, Mareeba was then used by Nos 5
and 100 Squadrons
, No 5 Communication Unit and a variety of RAAF support units, with No 24 Operational Base Unit disbanding in early 1946.
.
Mareeba, Queensland
Mareeba is a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. The town is above sea level on the confluence of the Barron River, Granite Creek and Emerald Creek. The town's name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning meeting of the waters...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Built in 1942 as a US Army Air Force base during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the airfield had two runways, with a complement of taxiways, hardstands and a containment area. After the war, much of the airfield reverted to agricultural use, while the southern runway remains as an active airfield.
World War II
A major US Army Air Force Base during World War II, Mareeba housed both heavy bomber and fighter squadrons of that Service in 1942 and 1943. The Americans referred to it as Hoevet Field in honor of Major Dean Carol "Pinky" Hoevet who was killed on 16 August 1942. Known USAAF units assigned were:- 19th Bombardment Group, (Headquarters) (24 July 1942 – 23 October 1943)
- 28th Bombardment Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress, (23 July 1942 – 25 October 1943)
- 30th Bombardment Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress, (23 July 1942 – 25 October 1943)
- 93d Bombardment Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress, (23 July 1942 – 25 October 1943)
- 63d Bombardment Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress (43d Bombardment Group), (20 August 1942 – 23 January 1943)
- 64th Bombardment Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress (43d Bombardment Group), (8 November 1942 – 20 January 1943)
- 65th Bombardment Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress (43d Bombardment Group), (7 November 1942 – 20 January 1943)
- 403d Bombardment Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress (43d Bombardment Group), (21 January – 11 May 1943)
- 8th Fighter Group8th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force...
, (Headquarters) (February–16 May 1943)
- 35th Fighter Squadron, P-39 Airacobra (24 February – May 1943)
- 36th Fighter Squadron, P-39 Airacobra (22 February – 22 May 1943)
- 80th Fighter Squadron, P-39 Airacobra (6 February – 21 March 1943)
With the departure of the American units, Mareeba was then used by Nos 5
No. 5 Squadron RAAF
No. 5 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force training, army co-operation and helicopter squadron. The Squadron was first formed in 1917 and was disbanded in December 1989.-Squadron history:...
and 100 Squadrons
No. 100 Squadron RAAF
No. 100 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force bomber and maritime patrol squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and was disbanded in 1946.-Squadron history:...
, No 5 Communication Unit and a variety of RAAF support units, with No 24 Operational Base Unit disbanding in early 1946.
Modern use
Today, the airfield hosts a museum with several World War II vintage airplanes on display in a flyable condition, and a major maintenance facility for Mission Aviation FellowshipMission Aviation Fellowship
Mission Aviation Fellowship is a Christian organization that provides aviation, communications, and learning technology services to more than 1,000 Christian and humanitarian agencies, as well as thousands of isolated missionaries and indigenous villagers in the world's most remote areas...
.
See also
- United States Army Air Forces in AustraliaUnited States Army Air Forces in AustraliaDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established a series of airfields in Australia for the collective defense of the country, as well as for conducting offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy...
(World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
)