Wards Airfield
Encyclopedia
Wards Airfield is a former World War II
airfield near Port Moresby
, Papua New Guinea
. The airfield was abandoned after the war and was developed into the Waigani area of Port Moresby.
The airfield was named in honor of Australian Lt. Col. K. H. Ward, who was involved with its construction and was KIA on 27 August 1942, during the fighting at Isurava on the Kokoda Trail. It was also known as "6-Mile or 6-Mile Drome" by Americans, for its distance from Port Moresby.
, and at its height, its taxiways actually connected with those of 7-mile.
The major operational organization at Wards Airfield was the Headquarters, 54th Troop Carrier Wing
(3 May 1943 – 18 April 1944). Operational C-47 Skytrain
groups and squadrons assigned to the airfield were:
Several Reconnaissance groups were assigned to Wards to support Fifth Air Force operations:
In addition the 90th Bombardment Group also based two B-24 Liberator
squadrons at the airfield.
Royal Australian Air Force
units stationed at the airfield were the 9th Group, 22nd Squadron (A-20) and 30th Squadron (Beaufighter).
General Kenney's Headquarters, V Fighter Command
was located at the airfield between December–January 1942. Reportedly, its cement slab foundations still remain today, located on a hill behind the airfield. A large 5th Air Force insignia and USAAF star, drawn into the concrete. Concrete steps, a garden and path that went up the ridge towards the HQ. In the 1980s traces of the paint still remained. Today, both the 5th AF logo and USSAF are partially broken, and the area is overgrown, but it still offers commanding views and an impressive remnant of the American era at the airfield.
This marking overlooks the Chinese Embassy. To visit the slab, drive down Sir John Guise Drive, cross the intersection with Independence Way and Godwit Street and keep going in the direction of the golf club. When that road begins to make a left turn, there is a hill on your right.
Wards Airfield was also the home of the USAAF 27th Air Depot. This group was responsible for assembling crated aircraft delivered by ship docked in Fairfax Harbor from the United States. Brand new aircraft were delivered to Port Moresby assembled and then flown to other bases. Ships continued to dock at Port Moresby until mid-1945 when transports switched to Manila Bay. For pilots wishing to pick up a brand new plane, they would have to go all the way back to Port Moresby
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 near Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
, 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 was developed into the Waigani area of Port Moresby.
The airfield was named in honor of Australian Lt. Col. K. H. Ward, who was involved with its construction and was KIA on 27 August 1942, during the fighting at Isurava on the Kokoda Trail. It was also known as "6-Mile or 6-Mile Drome" by Americans, for its distance from Port Moresby.
History
Wards Airfield was built for heavy bombers and transport planes. By 1943, it was the busiest aerodrome in the southern hemisphere. Mainly used for Cargo aircraft and larger planes, Ward's was nearest to Jackson Airfield (7 Mile Drome)Jacksons International Airport
Jacksons International Airport , also known as Port Moresby Airport, is located 5 miles outside Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea...
, and at its height, its taxiways actually connected with those of 7-mile.
The major operational organization at Wards Airfield was the Headquarters, 54th Troop Carrier Wing
54th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 54th Tactical Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force, being stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea...
(3 May 1943 – 18 April 1944). Operational C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
groups and squadrons assigned to the airfield were:
- 317th Troop Carrier Group317th Airlift GroupThe 317th Airlift Group is a United States Air Force unit, stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Assigned to Air Mobility Command Eighteenth Air Force, the 317 AG operates as a tenant unit to the 7th Bomb Wing, Air Combat Command ....
(30 September 1943 – April 1944) - 374th Troop Carrier Wing374th Airlift WingThe 374th Airlift Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to Fifth Air Force. It is stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is part of Pacific Air Forces ....
(December 1942-7 October 1943) - 375th Troop Carrier Group375th Airlift WingThe 375th Air Mobility Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to Eighteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It is part of Air Mobility Command ....
(December 1942 – 7 October 1943) - 6th Troop Carrier Squadron6th Airlift SquadronThe 6th Airlift Squadron is part of the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. It operates the C-17 Globemaster III supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide...
, 13 October 1942 – 2 October 1943 - 21st Troop Carrier Squadron21st Airlift SquadronThe 21st Airlift Squadron is part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-Mission:...
, 18 February-28 September 1943 - 22d Troop Carrier Squadron22d Airlift SquadronThe 22d Airlift Squadron is part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operates C-5 Galaxy aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-Mission:...
, 24 January-4 October 1943 - 33d Troop Carrier Squadron33d Troop Carrier SquadronThe 33d Troop Carrier Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 374th Troop Carrier Group, based at Nielson Field, Luzon, Philippines...
, 28 December 1942 – 5 October 1943
Several Reconnaissance groups were assigned to Wards to support Fifth Air Force operations:
- 6th Reconnaissance Group6th Reconnaissance GroupThe 6th Reconnaissance Group is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force. Its last assignment was with Fifth Air Force, stationed at Irumagawa Air Base, Japan...
(10 December 1943 – 17 February 1944) - 71st Reconnaissance Group71st Flying Training WingThe 71st Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma where it also is the host unit....
(7 November 1943 – 20 January 1944)
In addition the 90th Bombardment Group also based two B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
squadrons at the airfield.
- 320th Bombardment Squadron320th Missile SquadronThe 320th Missile Squadron is part of the 90th Missile Wing based at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It operates LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. Currently, the 320 MS is one of nine active United States ICBM squadrons.-History:Activated in spring 1942 as a B-26...
, 10 February – December 1943 - 321st Bombardment Squadron321st Missile SquadronThe 321st Missile Squadron is part of the 90th Missile Wing based at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.-History:...
, 10 February – December 1943
Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
units stationed at the airfield were the 9th Group, 22nd Squadron (A-20) and 30th Squadron (Beaufighter).
General Kenney's Headquarters, V Fighter Command
V Fighter Command
The V Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fifth Air Force, based at Fukuoka AB, Japan. It was inactivated on 31 May 1946....
was located at the airfield between December–January 1942. Reportedly, its cement slab foundations still remain today, located on a hill behind the airfield. A large 5th Air Force insignia and USAAF star, drawn into the concrete. Concrete steps, a garden and path that went up the ridge towards the HQ. In the 1980s traces of the paint still remained. Today, both the 5th AF logo and USSAF are partially broken, and the area is overgrown, but it still offers commanding views and an impressive remnant of the American era at the airfield.
This marking overlooks the Chinese Embassy. To visit the slab, drive down Sir John Guise Drive, cross the intersection with Independence Way and Godwit Street and keep going in the direction of the golf club. When that road begins to make a left turn, there is a hill on your right.
Wards Airfield was also the home of the USAAF 27th Air Depot. This group was responsible for assembling crated aircraft delivered by ship docked in Fairfax Harbor from the United States. Brand new aircraft were delivered to Port Moresby assembled and then flown to other bases. Ships continued to dock at Port Moresby until mid-1945 when transports switched to Manila Bay. For pilots wishing to pick up a brand new plane, they would have to go all the way back to Port Moresby
Current status
One can still drive along the main runway. In the post war years, most of its aircraft revetments were bulldozed flat, and a scrap dealer operated there, melting down aluminum from aircraft remains. Locals would siphon gasoline from the aircraft fuel tanks for their own use well into the 1950s.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....
- Port Moresby Airfield Complex
- Kila Airfield (3 Mile Drome)Kila AirfieldKila Airfield is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located north of Joyce Bay, three miles from the town of Port Moresby near the village of Kila Kila.The airfield was Port Moresby's first...
- Jackson Airfield (7 Mile Drome)Jacksons International AirportJacksons International Airport , also known as Port Moresby Airport, is located 5 miles outside Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea...
- Berry Airfield (12 Mile Drome)Berry AirfieldBerry Airfield is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located inland from Port Moresby....
- Schwimmer Airfield (14 Mile Drome)Schwimmer AirfieldSchwimmer Airfield is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located north of the Laloki River....
- Durand Airfield (17 Mile Drome)Durand AirfieldDurand Airfield is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located from Port Moresby, to the north of the Waigani swamp....
- Rogers (Rarona) Airfield (30 Mile Drome)Rogers AirfieldRogers Airfield is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located north-west of Port Moresby by air, near Rorona .On November 15, 1942, the airfield was named in honor of Major Floyd "Buck" W. Rogers...
- Fishermans (Daugo Island) AirfieldFishermans AirfieldFishermans Airfield is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located offshore of Port Moresby. The island's name is derived from the names of the island's two villages - Dag and Ugo...