Location
Lat 23° 26' 3S Long 144° 16' 49E  Longreach Airfield is located at an elevation of 627' above sea level to the east of Longreach in Queensland in Australia. Still in use today as Longreach Airport.

Construction
Prewar airfield. The birthplace of Qantas Airlines.

Wartime History
During 1942, the U.S. Army Air Force 19th BG, 93rd BS used the Qantas hanger as their briefing area.

American Units based at Longreach
19th BG, 28th BS (B-17) Cloncurry arrives May 5, 1942–July 24, 1942 departs Mareeba
19th BG, 30th BS (B-17) Cloncurry arrives May 13, 1942–July 24, 1942 departs Mareeba
19th BG, HQ Squadron (B-17) Garbutt arrives May 18, 1942 - July 23, 1942 departs Mareeba
19th BG, 93rd BS (B-17) Garbutt arrives May 18, 1942–July 23, 1942 departs Mareeba

Today
Still in use today as a small airport known as Longreach Airport with two runways. The first oriented 22/04 measures 6,352' x 98' surfaced with asphalt. The second runway is oriented 27/09 measures 2,953' x 59' surfaced with gravel. Airport codes: ICAO: YLRE IATA: LRE.

Q.A.N.T.A.S. Founders Museum (Qantas Founders Museum, QFM)
Located at Longreach Airport

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Last Updated
July 19, 2024