Snake Bay Airport (IATA: SNB, ICAO: YSNB) is located at Milikapiti, Northern Territory on the northern coast of Melville Island, Australia.
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) built the airfield as a forward fighter aerodrome, during World War II as part of the proposed strategic amphibious operations by Allied forces against the Tanimbar Islands and Kai Islands. It was proposed to accommodate a RAAF Fighter Wing and a United States Army Air Force Fighter Group.
Construction was started on 7 July 1944, by No. 9 Mobile Works Unit RAAF with the help of 40 Aborigines. The airfield was operational on 30 August 1944. Two side by side runways 1,829 meters (6,001 ft) long were constructed.[3]
The airfield was never fully utilized as the proposed amphibious operations were canceled and replaced with Papua Campaign. The airfield was known as Austin Strip and RAAF Melville Island.
[edit] Units based at Austin Strip
[edit] Airlines and destinations
[edit] References
- ^ Airport information for YSNB at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.Source: DAFIF.
- ^ Airport information for SNB at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective Oct. 2006).
- ^ OzatWar website
[edit] External links
