March 12, 1944

March 20, 1944

Ray Fairfield 1966

Location
Located at Goroka. Also spelled Garoka in wartime documents.

Construction
Built prior to the war.

Wartime History
In mid-1942 the grass runway measured 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.

Later, the airfield was expanded by US Army engineers beginning on June 29, 1943. The engineer sections of Australian 2/2 and 2/7 Independent Companies supervised construction. A 600' single airstrip with dispersal bays was made operational in only seven days, with the help of 1,000 natives from the area.

Japanese Missions Against Goroka Airfield
July 30, 1943

Today
It is still in use to this day by Air Nugini as Goroka Airport. Airport code: 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

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