Angaur Airstrip


Angaur Airstrip is a small airstrip on Angaur, one of the islands of Palau. It also served as an airfield during World War II.

History

World War II

The day the island was declared secured on September 20, 1944, construction of the airfield began on the eastern edge of the island. As there was no existing airfield to build on, two Army engineering battalions had to clear jungle and level the terrain to create the airfield. On 19 October 1944 the airfield with its runway aligned NE/SW together with taxiways and hardstands for 120 aircraft were ready for use.
The 494th Bombardment Group operating B-24J Liberator bombers arrived at Angaur on 16 October and commenced operations on 3 November. The Wing remained at Angaur until June 1945 when it moved to Yontan Airfield on Okinawa.
The 22nd Bombardment Group operating B-24s was based at Angaur from November 1944 until January 1945 when it moved to Guiuan Airfield in the Philippines.

Postwar

In April 2010 the Palau Senate passed a resolution asking the President to offer Angaur airstrip as a site for the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa.

Facilities and aircraft

The airport resides at an estimated elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 5/23 with a gravel surface measuring by. For the 12-month period ending May 23, 1987, the airport had 1,500 air taxi aircraft operations, an average of 125 per month.

Airlines and destinations