Oro Bay Airfield
Encyclopedia
Oro Bay Airfield is a former World War II
airfield in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
. The airfield was abandoned after the war and today is almost totally returned to its natural state.
(1 February-2 July 1944) and as an operational airfield for the 417th Bombardment Group
(28 January -4 February 1944) which flew A-20 Havocs. Operational squadrons assigned to the airfield were:
In addition, the 547th Night Fighter Squadron
flew a night fighter variant of the P-38 Lightning
and P-61 Black Widow
from the airfield (5 September-6 October 1944)/
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...
airfield in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. The airfield was abandoned after the war and today is almost totally returned to its natural state.
History
Oro Bay Airfield was primarily an emergency landing field, although it was briefly used as a headquarters base for the 308th Bombardment Wing308th Bombardment Wing (World War II)
The 308th Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Far East Air Forces, based at Nagoya, Japan. It was inactivated on 30 June 1948....
(1 February-2 July 1944) and as an operational airfield for the 417th Bombardment Group
417th Bombardment Group
The 417th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with V Bomber Command, being stationed at Itami Airfield, Japan, where it was inactivated on 5 November 1945....
(28 January -4 February 1944) which flew A-20 Havocs. Operational squadrons assigned to the airfield were:
- 672d Bombardment Squadron672d Technical Training SquadronThe 672d Technical Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 705th Strategic Missile Wing,, based at RAF Lakenheath, England. It was inactivated on October 1, 1959.-History:...
: 28 January-4 February 1944 - 673d Bombardment Squadron673d Bombardment SquadronThe 673d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 417th Bombardment Group, based at Itami Air Base, Japan...
: 28 January-4 February 1944 - 674th Bombardment Squadron674th Bombardment SquadronThe 674th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 417th Bombardment Group, based at Itami Air Base, Japan...
: 28 January-4 February 1944
In addition, the 547th Night Fighter Squadron
547th Night Fighter Squadron
The 547th Intelligence Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. It is currently responsible for intelligence support for all Red Flag-Nellis exercises.-History:...
flew a night fighter variant of the P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
and P-61 Black Widow
P-61 Black Widow
The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first operational U.S. military aircraft designed specifically for night interception of aircraft, and was the first aircraft specifically designed to use radar. It was an all-metal, twin-engine, twin-boom design developed during World War II...
from the airfield (5 September-6 October 1944)/
See also
- USAAF in the Southwest PacificUnited States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific TheatreDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces engaged in combat against the air, ground and naval forces of the Empire of Japan in the South West Pacific Theatre....