Airport type Public 13/31 1,440 | Elevation AMSL 173 ft / 53 m Code SNB | |
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Operator Tiwi Island Shire Council Serves Melville Island, Australia Location Milikapiti, Northern Territory Address Milikapiti NT 0822, Australia Similar Melville Island Lodge, Munupi Wilderness Lodge, Australia Post ‑ Milikapiti, Jilamara Arts and Crafts, Bathurst Island Airport | ||
Snake Bay Airport (IATA: SNB, ICAO: YSNB) is located at Milikapiti, Northern Territory on the northern coast of Melville Island, Australia.
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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 Forces 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 m (6,001 ft) long were constructed.
The airfield was never fully utilized as the proposed amphibious operations were canceled and replaced with the New Guinea campaign. The airfield was known as Austin Strip and RAAF Melville Island.