Engineers help to reconstruct WWII airfield

Air Force personnel flew to the Kimberley region of Western Australia in 2009, where they refurbished to C-130 standard a disused cross-runway from a WWII airfield.

The airfield – which was unusable – would provide a crucial link to the remote Kalumburu community, where the Australian Defence Forces were working as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program 2008 (AACAP 08).

AACAP 08 needed a usable airstrip to carry out significant works in the community, including: demolition of Kalumburu’s existing health clinic and construction of a new one; barge landing and access road upgrade; upgrading the existing airstrip and access road; and sealing some internal community roads.

RAAF aircraft used the original airstrip extensively in WWII, before moving to Truscott Airfield nearby. Later, the local community used the main runway; yet the cross-runway was allowed to deteriorate, becoming unusable by all aircraft types.

So members from the Airfield Engineering and Maintenance Flight from No. 1 Air Operations Support Squadron from RAAF Base Townsville were flown in to reconstruct the airfield that was originally built by hand by local community members.
The airstrip is the critical means of access for all forms of emergency assistance in this remote part of north Western Australia. This meant the team had to set priority tasks without interrupting air traffic.

The work included upgrading the cross-runway, parking apron and turning pad; and re-surfacing the main airfield with asphalt. Upon completion, the airfield could cater for 10-15 movements each day.

The team also constructed a 150-person capacity field camp, including substantial ring roads, heavy vehicle parking areas and supporting services.

The project demonstrated the Air Force’s ability to react quickly to provide airfield engineering services and to construct airfield assets when and where needed.

HELPING HANDS: Above, the team gathers for an historic photo with their equipment after completing the cross-runway. Below, team members survey the old runway during the refurbishment operations.

Photos: FLGOFF Anita Green