Type Military Airfield Year built 1944 | In use 1944 | |
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Controlled by United States Army Air Forces | ||
Berry Airfield (also known as 12-Mile Drome) 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 12 miles (19 km) inland from Port Moresby.
Also known as "12 Mile Drome" or "Bomana Drome", the airfield was named "Berry Airfield" in honor of P-39D 41-7165 pilot Major Jack W. Berry on November 10, 1942.
History
Berry Airfield was completed May 15, 1943, however there was little or no room for expansion without an extensive earth moving project being put into action. The runway had an 8-inch (200 mm) base of crushed rock and pit gravel approximately 4,500' by 150'. It also had 40 dispersal bays, and 4 alert areas that would accommodate 15 fighter aircraft.
Berry hosted many units during its operational use, however the only long-term unit assigned was the 8th Fighter Squadron (49th Fighter Group) which flew P-39 Airacobras from July 20, 1942 - November 8, 1942.
Today, the road from Port Moresby runs overtop the old main runway. The Bomana Police Training College is located at the site of the former strip, and the Bomana War Cemetery is at the far end of the strip. Some of the officer's and command tents for the airfield were located in the high ground around the former field. Some war debris is scattered around the area, including barrels, metal pieces, and other objects.