Minami Torishima Airport

Minami Torishima Airbase
Marcus Island Airport

Minami Torishima Airbase in view on the island, Minami Torishima
IATA: MUS – ICAO: RJAM
Summary
Airport type Military
Owner/Operator Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Serves Minami Torishima
Elevation AMSL 22 ft / 7 m
Coordinates 24°17′23″N 153°58′45″E / 24.28972°N 153.97917°E / 24.28972; 153.97917 (Minamitorishima Air Field)Coordinates: 24°17′23″N 153°58′45″E / 24.28972°N 153.97917°E / 24.28972; 153.97917 (Minamitorishima Air Field)
Map

Location
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
05/23 1,371 4,498 Concrete
Source: Japanese AIP at AIS Japan[1]

'Minami Torishima Airbase (Japanese: 南鳥島航空基地; often called Marcus Island Airport) is a one runway airport serving the island of Minami Torishima. The aerodrome used to be a military airstrip and according to the Japanese Aeronautical Information Service it is still operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.[1]

View of original airstrip in 1945

The airstrip existence dates to 1935 when the Imperial Japanese Navy built one to serve a meteorological station. The original airfield consisted of two airstrips (cleared area of 4000' and 4500', but only shorter sections used as landing area) in a v-shaped formation.[2]

The airstrips facilities were damaged by US bombing of the island during World War II,[3] it was re-built with a single runway by the United States. Until 1993, the airstrip was used and controlled by the United States Coast Guard to service the nearby LORAN-C station. In 2009 the airstrip was transferred to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force which currently retains control of the airstrip and is used by the Japan Meteorological Agency to service and staff their operations on the island.


References

  1. 1 2 AIS Japan
  2. ↑ http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Raids/maps/USN-CN-Raids-10.jpg Drawing of island and original airstrip c.1940s
  3. ↑ http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Raids/USN-CN-Raids-3.html


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