MacDonald Airfield (RAAF)

Military Decommissioning. The airfield was a purpose-built forward operating base for World War II. With the end of the war in 1945, the strategic need for a large network of airfields in the Northern Territory ceased to exist. The base was rapidly wound down and officially abandoned as part of the post-war demobilization.

The site is abandoned and disused. The remnants of the two main runways and some taxiways are still clearly visible from satellite imagery, though they are heavily weathered and overgrown with vegetation. The land is undeveloped and there is no infrastructure remaining from its operational period. It is considered a historical site, and its remains serve as a testament to the significant military effort in the region during WWII. It is not accessible as an active airfield and is located on what is now likely pastoral or Crown land.

MacDonald Airfield was a crucial Allied airbase during World War II, constructed in 1942 by the U.S. Army 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion and the Allied Works Council. It was part of a network of airfields in the 'Top End' designed to defend Northern Australia after the bombing of Darwin and to project Allied air power against Japanese forces in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) and Timor. The airfield was named in honor of Wing Commander J.R.G. MacDonald, who was killed in an air accident in 1943.

Key operations and units included:
- **No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF:** This joint Australian-Dutch squadron operated B-25 Mitchell bombers from MacDonald Airfield from 1943, conducting numerous bombing raids against Japanese shipping and installations.
- **No. 31 Squadron RAAF:** Flew Bristol Beaufighter heavy fighters from the base, conducting anti-shipping strikes and ground attacks.
- **No. 27 Operational Base Unit:** Provided ground support and logistical services for the flying squadrons.

The airfield featured two parallel sealed runways, extensive taxiways, and dispersal areas for aircraft protection. The ICAO code 'AU-0634' is a non-standard identifier used in some modern databases for historical or abandoned airfields; it was not its operational code during the war.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening MacDonald Airfield. Reopening is considered extremely unlikely to non-existent due to several factors:
1. **Lack of Demand:** The nearby town of Pine Creek is small and does not generate sufficient traffic to warrant an airfield of this size.
2. **Proximity to Other Airports:** The region is served by the major RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine and Darwin International Airport, which can handle all regional aviation needs.
3. **Cost:** The cost to clear the land and restore the runways and infrastructure to modern aviation standards would be prohibitive and without economic justification.
4. **Historical Status:** The site has historical significance, and any development could be subject to heritage considerations.