Birdum Airstrip (RAAF)

Military Demobilization. Birdum Airstrip was a purpose-built military airfield constructed for the war effort in the Pacific. With the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the vast network of satellite and forward operational airfields in Northern Australia was no longer required. The strategic need for the base vanished, and it was subsequently abandoned as part of the post-war military drawdown.

The site is abandoned and in a state of decay. Satellite imagery clearly shows the ghostly outline of the main runway (oriented NW/SE), parallel taxiways, and numerous aircraft dispersal loops designed to protect parked bombers. The original paved or gravel surfaces are now completely overgrown with native scrub and grasses, rendering the airstrip unusable. The land is now part of a pastoral lease and is used for cattle grazing. The remnants serve as a historical landmark and a testament to the scale of the WWII military effort in Australia's Northern Territory.

Birdum Airstrip was a critical component of Australia's northern defence during World War II.

- **Construction and Purpose:** Built in 1942 as a satellite airfield for RAAF Base Darwin, it was part of a defensive web established after the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces. Its primary role was to serve as a dispersal and heavy bomber base, capable of launching and recovering long-range aircraft like the B-24 Liberator.

- **Strategic Location:** The airstrip was strategically located near the town of Birdum, which was the terminus of the North Australia Railway from 1929. This made the area a vital logistical hub for transferring troops, equipment, and supplies from the railway to road transport heading north to Darwin and other military installations. The airfield supported this logistical chain.

- **Units and Operations:** The airfield was home to several RAAF units during the war. Key among them were No. 54 Operational Base Unit (OBU), which was responsible for the command and maintenance of the station, and No. 12 Repair and Salvage Unit (RSU), which played a crucial role in recovering and repairing crashed Allied aircraft from across the region. While primarily a dispersal field, it was equipped with a long runway, taxiways, and aircraft revetments to support heavy bomber operations.

There are zero known plans or prospects for reopening the Birdum Airstrip. The complete degradation of its infrastructure would require a total rebuild at immense cost. Furthermore, its remote location and the lack of any modern economic or strategic demand make its reactivation unfeasible. Modern military aviation needs in the region are comprehensively served by the major, state-of-the-art facility at RAAF Base Tindal, located near Katherine.