Location
Lat 6° 4' 54S Long 145° 23' 31E  Goroka Airfield is located near Goroka (Garoka). Also known as "Garoka Airfield".

Construction
Built prewar by the Australian administration.

World War II Pacific Theatre History
In the middle of 1942 the single runway was grass surfaced measuring 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 - September 2, 1943

Today
Still in use today as Goroka Airport with daily service by Air Niugini and other airlines. The runway measures 1,646m x 30m at an elevation of 1,646'. Airport codes: ICAO: AYGA and IATA: 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
NAC - Goroka Airport

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018