Rogers Airfield
Encyclopedia
Rogers Airfield is a former World War II
airfield near Port Moresby
, Papua New Guinea
. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located 30 miles (48.3 km) north-west of Port Moresby by air, near Rorona (also spelled Rarona).
On November 15, 1942, the airfield was named in honor of Major Floyd "Buck" W. Rogers (C.O. of 3rd BG, 8th BS) who was KIA flying A-24 41-15797.
After the war Rogers Field was used as a small commercial airport by Air Niugini
. It's commercial use ended in the 1960s and today the airfield is unusued.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
airfield near Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located 30 miles (48.3 km) north-west of Port Moresby by air, near Rorona (also spelled Rarona).
On November 15, 1942, the airfield was named in honor of Major Floyd "Buck" W. Rogers (C.O. of 3rd BG, 8th BS) who was KIA flying A-24 41-15797.
History
Rogers Airfield was built by American forces in mid-1942, and in use by the first week of June. The airfield served as both a crash strip and also based aircraft for short periods in the early stages of the war. Known units based at Rogers were:- Headquarters, 35th Fighter Group35th Fighter WingThe 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The 35 FW is part of Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force.-Mission:...
(July 22, 1942 – August 15, 1943)
- 39th Fighter Squadron39th Flying Training SquadronThe 39th Flying Training Squadron is currently part of the 340th Flying Training Group and is the reserve associate to the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.-Mission:...
, P-39 Aircobra - 40th Fighter Squadron40th Flight Test SquadronThe 40th Flight Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 46th Operations Group, based at Eglin AFB, Florida.-Lineage:...
, P-39 Aircobra - 41st Fighter Squadron41st Flying Training SquadronThe 41st Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
, P-39 Aircobra
- 7th Fighter Squadron7th Fighter SquadronThe 7th Fighter Squadron is part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.-Mission:The 7th Fighter Squadron as a part of the 49th Operations Group supports national security objectives, as directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by utilizing the F-22A Raptor aircraft.The 7 FS...
(49th Fighter Group) P-40 Warhawk
After the war Rogers Field was used as a small commercial airport by Air Niugini
Air Niugini
Air Niugini Limited is the national airline of Papua New Guinea, based in Air Niugini House on the property of Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby. It operates a domestic network from Port Moresby and Lae, as well as international services in Asia, Oceania, and Australia. Its main base is...
. It's commercial use ended in the 1960s and today the airfield is unusued.
See also
- USAAF in the Southwest PacificUnited States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific TheatreDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces engaged in combat against the air, ground and naval forces of the Empire of Japan in the South West Pacific Theatre....
- Port Moresby Airfield Complex
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