Cape Gloucester Airport

Cape Gloucester Airport

IATA: CGC – ICAO: AYCG – LID: CPG

Cape Gloucester
Airport
Cape Gloucester
Airport (Papua New Guinea)

Summary
Airport type Public
Location Cape Gloucester, Papua New Guinea
Elevation AMSL 78 ft / 24 m
Coordinates 05°27′33″S 148°25′57″E / 5.45917°S 148.43250°E / -5.45917; 148.43250
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03/21 3,540 1,073 Asphalt
Source: World Aero Data

Cape Gloucester Airport is an airport in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. (IATA: CGC, ICAO: AYCG). The airport is a single runway general aviation facility, at the present time, there is no scheduled commercial service to the airport.

History

Construction of Cape Gloucester Airport originally began in 1942 by the Australians. When the area was seized by the Japanese, it was improved into a two-runway airfield. Later, the area was liberated by the United States Marines on 30 December 1943. Three American aviation engineer battalions were sent to the airfield where they found their work impeded by heavy rains. Marine L-4 aircraft (military versions of the Piper Cub) began operating from a road near the airfield as early as 2 January, and other aircraft made emergency landings. The available engineering forces planned to have the airfield operational for fighters by 1 February but American aircraft did not start operating from the strip until February 1944, but moved out by the end of March.

Cape Gloucester was later developed as an American and an Australian air base but it was never a particularly significant one. After the war, the airfield remained in use for civilian aircraft to service the Cape Gloucester area. It is not used by larger commercial flights, and is occasionally closed due to volcanic activity in the area.

Major USAAF units assigned

Headquarters, 35th Fighter Squadron, P-40 Warhawk; 80th Fighter Squadron, P-38 Lightning

In addition, the 12th Defense Battalion (USMC) was assigned to the airfield between 30 December 1943 - late May 1944 Australian RAAF Units Based at Cape Gloucester consisted of the 78 Squadron, equipped with P-40 Warhawks. The facility, however, was not very usable, as the mud during the winter rainy season was so bad most aircraft could not use the airfield.

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

External links


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