Plaine des Lacs Airport

The airfield was a temporary military base built and operated by the United States Armed Forces during World War II. It was closed and abandoned following the end of the war and the subsequent withdrawal of American forces from the region, as it was deemed surplus to post-war requirements.

The site is completely abandoned and non-operational for any form of aviation. The distinct, ghostly outlines of the two parallel runways are still clearly visible on satellite imagery, etched into the region's characteristic red soil. However, the surfaces are heavily deteriorated and overgrown with the sparse vegetation native to the Plaine des Lacs area. The site is now a historical relic of World War II, a silent testament to the massive military presence in New Caledonia during the war. It is not maintained and is being slowly reclaimed by nature.

The airfield, historically known as Plaine des Lacs Airfield or 'Plum Airfield', was a significant Allied airbase during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Constructed by U.S. forces after their arrival in New Caledonia in 1942, it featured two parallel runways. The base was crucial for the defense of New Caledonia, which served as a major strategic rear area and staging base for the Allies. It hosted various U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps aviation units. Operations primarily involved fighter aircraft for local defense and bomber aircraft for missions against Japanese bases in the Solomon Islands. For example, it served as a base for units like the USAAF 67th Fighter Squadron flying P-39 Airacobras and the USMC VMF-212 flying F4F Wildcats. Its existence was vital for supporting the Guadalcanal and subsequent Solomon Islands campaigns.

There are no known plans, discussions, or prospects for reopening the Plaine des Lacs Airport. Its remote location, the prohibitive cost of rebuilding the infrastructure to modern standards, and the fact that New Caledonia is well-served by La Tontouta International Airport (NWWW) and Magenta Airport (NWWM) make its reactivation economically and logistically unfeasible. The site's value is now purely historical.