Former Aus Airfield

The airfield was primarily a military facility used by the South African Defence Force (SADF). Its closure is directly linked to the end of the South African Border War and Namibia's independence in 1990. With the withdrawal of the SADF, the airfield lost its primary user and strategic purpose. It was subsequently deemed economically non-viable for civilian operations due to the small population of Aus and the availability of larger airports in the region (Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop).

The site is completely abandoned and defunct. Satellite imagery of the coordinates confirms the location of a former airfield, with the faint outline of a long, unpaved runway still visible. The runway and surrounding area are unmaintained, with vegetation and the natural desert environment slowly reclaiming the land. There are no remaining buildings, infrastructure, or signs of any current use.

The Former Aus Airfield was a strategic military airstrip. Its primary significance was during the South African Border War (c. 1966-1990), where it served as a forward operating and logistical base for the SADF. Operations handled would have included transport of troops and supplies via aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall, medical evacuations (CASEVAC), and reconnaissance flights. Its location along the main road (B4) and railway line between Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop made it a crucial logistical hub for controlling movement and supplying forces in the vast southern region of what was then South West Africa.

There are no known plans or credible prospects for reopening the Former Aus Airfield. The aviation needs for tourism and industry in Namibia's ǁKaras Region are adequately met by the paved and serviced airports at Lüderitz (FYLZ) and Keetmanshoop (FYKT). The significant cost required to refurbish, certify, and maintain the airfield for the extremely limited potential traffic makes its reopening economically unfeasible.