September 9, 1941


1943

1945

October 17, 1947

Albert Cross 1962

Justin Taylan 2005

Location
Located to the north of Port Moresby, seven miles from town.

Construction
This prewar airstrip of two parallel runways. American B-17 Flying Fortresses used the airfield while enroute to Clark Field on September 9, 1941. During the war, it was further expanded and improved.

Wartime History
This airfield was one of the primary airfields at Port Moresby at the start of the Japanese bombing campaign, and one of their prinicpal targets. It based the first fighters that flew in defense of Port Moresby, RAAF 75 Squadron from March - May 1942.

When American forces arrived in April 1942, the airfield was further developed. Revetment were constructed to protect parked aircraft and defenses. A network of taxiways between Jackson 7-Mile and Wards (5 Mile) made it possible to taxi between the two airfields.

The airfield then consisted of three parallel runways, running roughly north-west to south-east. In the middle was the original runway, a fighter strip 3,000' x 100' surfaced with martson matting (as of December 9, 1942). To the north-east side was a new bomber strip 3,000' x 150' surfaced with marston matting (as of December 9, 1942) later expanded to 3,750'. On the south-west side was a crash strip 7,500' x 100' (as of December 9, 1942).

Japanese Air Raids Against Port Moresby
February 2, 1942 - April 12, 1943 (plus nighttime harassment). 

RAAF Units Based at Jackson
75 Squadron (P-40s) March 21 - May 1942
USAAF Units Based at Jackson
43rd BG 63rd BS (B-17s)
43rd BG 64th BS (B-17s)
43rd BG 65th BS (B-17s)
35th FG 41st FS (P-39) Bankstown July 20 - Aug 16, 42 Tsili Tsili

Naming
The strip was named 'Jackson' on November 10, 1942 in honor of RAAF pilot John Jackson shot down and killed in action April 28, 1942 flying P-40E A29-8. To Americans, the airfield was known as '7 Mile'.

Today
In use since the war as Papua New Guinea's international airport, and the air hub for all Air Niugini flights in and out of the nation. Also, a number of smaller regional airlines and helicopter and aviation services.

Jackson Memorial
RAAF memorial for John Jackson killed in action while flying P-40E A29-8. The memorial is shaped like a wing with a bronze plaque reads: "Erected in the memory of Squadron Leader John Francis Jackson, D.F.C. 75 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, killed in action 28th April, 1942 aged 34 for whom this airfield is named."

PNG Defense Force Memorial
Located on the northern side of the strip outside the PNGDF base, this memorial is not related to WWII history, rather PNGDF.  But, the memorial is made from the tail rudder of a C-47 and there is a wartime 50 caliber machine gun displayed there.

Bomber Revetments
At the western end of the airport are several large revetments for B-17 and B-24 bombers, still in excellent condition.

Air Depot Hangers
Two hangers built by the American forces near 7-Mile Drome. These had concrete bases, and Quonset hut type coverings, near the bomber revetment area. Today, all that remains is the concrete base inside the Moitaka Wildlife Preserve.