Wake Island Airfield (AWK)

Wake Island, UM 🇺🇲 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

PWAK

IATA

AWK

Elevation

14 ft

Region

UM-79

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: PWAK

Local Code: AWK

Location: 19.282437° N, 166.636637° E

Continent: OC

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals

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Departures

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External Links

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Nearby Points of Interest

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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Wake Island Airfield (PWAK (AWK)) is primarily a U.S. military installation with severely restricted access, not a public airport. Consequently, there are virtually no "traveler reviews and experiences" in the conventional sense. Access is generally limited to military personnel, civilian contractors, and scientists on official business, with permits typically denied to the general public. Any "traveler experiences" are unique to these authorized individuals and infrequent special tours.

What Travelers (Authorized Personnel/Rare Visitors) Love:

Sense of Isolation and History: Those who visit often appreciate the remote nature and the significant historical importance of the island, particularly its role in World War II.
Natural Beauty: The island offers clear waters, coral reefs for snorkeling, and serene lagoons, with opportunities for bird watching and exploring unspoiled landscapes.
Community Atmosphere: For the small population of military and contractor personnel, there's a strong sense of community, with the Drifter's Reef Bar & Grill serving as a central gathering place.
Refueling and Support Capabilities: The airfield is a crucial trans-Pacific refueling stop for military aircraft and supports missile defense test activities, with a modernized runway and support facilities.
Unique Stamp: Special tour visitors in the past have noted receiving a unique Wake Island stamp in their passports as a memorable keepsake.

Common Complaints

Extreme Restrictions and Limited Access: The most significant "complaint" for potential travelers is the near-impossibility of visiting, as commercial air service has been discontinued and special permits are required, which are rarely granted to the public.
Lack of Tourist Amenities: As a military installation, there are no public tourist facilities, regular flights, or traditional tourist services. Accommodations for short-term visitors on special tours have also been absent.
Remote and Isolated Environment: While appreciated by some, the extreme isolation and the small, temporary population can be a challenging aspect of life on Wake Island.
Limited On-Island Transportation: Transportation is primarily via government or contractor vehicles, walking, or bicycles, and the road network is suitable for low-speed, light-duty use.
Environmental Hazards: There are warnings for bird hazards on approach and departure from the runway.

Wake Island Airfield is a strategic military asset rather than a conventional travel destination. Any "traveler experiences" are highly specialized, focusing on operational needs or rare, authorized visits that highlight its historical significance and unique natural environment, rather than typical commercial airport services or tourist satisfaction.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

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Popular Flight Routes

Building Route Index: We are building our route index for commercial airports. Currently 0 routes are indexed for Wake Island Airfield. For real-time updates, admin access is required.

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Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Route Data Not Loaded Get fresh route data for Wake Island Airfield from FlightAware API Last updated: 5 days, 16 hours ago This will fetch real-time data including recent departures and scheduled flights

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`10/28`	9843 ft	150 ft	ASP	Active Lighted

Type	Description	Frequency
A/G	OPS AAS	`128.0 MHz`
RDO	OAKLAND OCEANIC	`884.3 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency
`AWK`	Wake Island	VORTAC	`113500 kHz`

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

There are no commercial taxi services available at Wake Island Airfield. The airfield is located on a restricted U.S. military installation not open to the public. All transportation for authorized personnel is pre-arranged by the U.S. Air Force or associated contractors.

Rental Cars

There are no car rental companies on Wake Island. As a closed military base with no public access or tourism, there is no market for rental services. Official personnel use government or contractor-owned vehicles.

Public Transportation

There is no public transportation system on Wake Island. The island is a small, remote atoll with a population consisting solely of military and contract personnel, and all ground transport is handled internally by the base.

Nearby Airports

No nearby airports found within reasonable distance.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.