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  USN June 22, 1944 |
Location Lat 9° 29' 56N Long 138° 4' 57E Colonia Airfield is located at an elevation of 91' above sea level near Colonia on southern end of Yap Island. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Caroline Islands. Today located in Yap State in the Federated States of Microneisa. Known as Yap International Airport or Yap Airport. Construction Built by the Japanese with a single runway with taxiways and revetments completed during May 1944. Wartime History During the Pacific War, Colonia Airfield based the 61st Air Flotilla and 22nd Air Flotilla. Japanese units based at Yap 523 Kokutai (D4Y Judy) late May - July 1944 (disbanded) 202 Kokutai (A6M Zero) late May - July 1944 (disbanded) 261 Kokutai (A6M Zero) late May - July 1944 (disbanded) 265 Kokutai (A6M Zero) mid June - July 1944 (disbanded) 201 Kokutai Buntai S306 (survivors of 263 and 343 Kokutai) July 16 - August 2, 1944 On April 1, 1944 Colonia Airfield was first located by U.S. Navy (USN) carrier aircraft and was attacked by American bombers until early August 1944 when deemed neutralized. American missions against Colonia Airfield April 1, 1944–August 10, 1944 During 1944, attacked by U.S. Navy (USN) carrier aircraft and U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) B-24 Liberators. On July 16, 1944 buntai-cho Lt. (jg) Naoshi Kanno, formally took over the air defense of Yap with his newly activated Buntai S306. By early August, the remaining air strength of eight fighters was transferred to Palau, leaving twenty or so unserviceable aircraft dispersed around the airfield. Occupied by the Japanese until the official surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. Today Still in use today as Yap International Airport (Yap Airport), small airport and port of entry. The single runway is oriented 25/07 measures 6,000' x 150' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: PTYA / IATA: YAP. The wreckage of several Japanese aircraft damaged during air raids remained to the side of the runway. The ground in this area was at one time littered with airfield debris: spare parts, rusted guns and ammunition. Don Baer visited in 1976: "I was on Yap in 1976. At the time there were two Zeros to the side of the runway. They were in fair condition then." A6M5 Model 52 Zero Abandoned at the airfield, center section with wings. A6M5 Model 52 Zero Abandoned at the airfield, center section with wings. A6M2 Model 21 Zero Abandoned at the airfield, center section with right wing section. B5N2 Kate Abandoned at the airfield. L2D Tabby Abandoned at the airfield. G4M Betty Abandoned at the airfield. 75mm Anti-Aircraft Gun (Type 88) Emplaced at the airfield Recovered Aircraft During 1980, two groups of Japanese restorers salvaged aircraft wrecks from the airfield. D4Y1 Judy 4316 was recovered by Nobuhiko End. Several Zeros A6M5 1493, A6M5 4708, A6M2 92717, A6M2 91518 were recovered by Nobuo Harada. D4Y1 Judy Manufacture Number 4316 Tail "Taka"-13 Salvaged in 1988, restored displayed at Yasukuni Museum A6M5 Zero Manufacture Number 1493 Recovered 1980, partially restored in Japan. A6M5 Zero Manufacture Number 4708 Recovered 1980, restored to static display in Japan. A6M2 Zero Manufacture Number 92717 Recovered 1980, cockpit only, used for parts of other restorations. A6M2 Zero Manufacture Number 91518 Recovered 1980, restored to static display in Japan. References Yap's Air Campaign by Richard Dunn Contribute
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