Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
    Goroka Airfield (Garoka) Eastern Highlands Province Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Click For Enlargement
5th AF March 12, 1944

Click For Enlargement
5th AF March 20, 1944

Click For Enlargement
Ray Fairfield 1966
Location
Lat 6° 4' 54S Long 145° 23' 31E  Goroka Airfield is located near Goroka (Garoka). Also known as "Garoka Airfield". Still in use today as Goroka Airport.

Construction
Built prewar by the Australian administration.

Wartime History
In the middle of 1942 the single runway was grass surfaced measuring 950' x 10' x 5200' . Facilities included a government station, 100 man barracks, food and W. O. Upson based at the airfield. Could be lengthened 50 yards.

On June 29, 1943 expanded for military use by U.S. Army engineers supervised by the engineer sections from the Australian Army 2/2 Independent Company and 2/7 Independent Company. With the help of over 1,000 native laborers, a 600' single runway with dispersal bays was made operational in only seven days on July 6, 1943.

Japanese missions against Goroka Airfield
July 30, 1943–September 2, 1943

Today
Still in use today as Goroka Airport with daily service by Air Niugini and other airlines. The runway measures 1,646m x 30m at an elevation of 1,646'. Airport codes: ICAO: AYGA and IATA: GKA.

References
Notes about New Guinea airfields, recorded circa May - July, 1942 by Oliver C. Doan via Jean Doan research Edward Rogers
4th Kokugun Takes Charge by Richard Dunn page 8
NAC - Goroka Airport

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
July 19, 2024

 

Map
Map
Fallingrain

Google Earth
View in Google Earth

Photos
Photo Archive
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram