Kamiri-Numfoor Island, ID 🇮🇩 Closed Airport
ID-0002
-
54 ft
ID-PA
Loading...
Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: -0.971504° N, 134.809006° E
Continent: AS
Type: Closed Airport
Get an AI-powered summary of traveler experiences at Kamiri Airfield
Powered by AI web research of traveler reviews and experiences
Researching traveler experiences online...
Loading weather data...
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Post-World War II, approximately 1945-1946. The closure was a gradual process of abandonment following the end of the war, rather than a single official date.
Military demobilization and strategic obsolescence. After the surrender of Japan in 1945, the massive Allied airbase on Numfoor was no longer required for staging operations. Allied forces were withdrawn, and the airfield fell into disuse as it was superseded for local needs by the nearby Kornasoren Airfield.
The airfield is abandoned and non-operational. The original runway and taxiways are heavily overgrown with dense jungle vegetation and are completely unsuitable for any aviation use. The faint outline of the main runway is still visible in satellite imagery as a historical scar on the landscape. The site is a historical remnant of WWII and is not used for any formal purpose, though local villagers may use parts of the old runway as paths. All air traffic to Numfoor Island now uses the nearby active airport, Kornasoren Airport (IATA: FOO, ICAO: WABF).
Kamiri Airfield is a site of major historical significance from the Pacific Theater of World War II. Originally constructed by the Japanese Imperial Army, it was the primary objective of the Allied 'Battle of Numfoor' in July 1944. After its capture by US and Australian forces, it was rapidly repaired and expanded into a major forward airbase for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Fifth Air Force. It hosted numerous bomber and fighter groups, including B-24 Liberators, A-20 Havocs, P-38 Lightnings, and P-47 Thunderbolts. The base was crucial for launching air raids against Japanese positions in western New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Dutch East Indies. It was one of three strategic airfields on the island, alongside Kornasoren and Namber, making Numfoor a critical Allied stronghold in the region.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Kamiri Airfield. The site is in a complete state of disrepair, and its restoration would require massive investment in clearing, excavation, and reconstruction. The small island of Numfoor is adequately served by the existing Kornasoren Airport, making the redevelopment of Kamiri economically and logistically unfeasible.