Tern Island

USA / Hawaii / Kekaha /
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In the first years of World War II, French Frigate Shoals became an important part of the defenses of Hawaii. The shallow water was favored by both sides as a possible location to refuel floatplanes. After the Battle of Midway, Navy Seabees blasted a coral runway out of the reef so the reef could serve as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" for patrol aircraft and aircraft needing an emergency landing field between Hawaii and Midway.

After the war it became a Coast Guard Loran station and now serves as a biological research station.

The runway is no longer usable.

members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/HI/Airfields_W_Pac...

Location
City: Tern Island, Hawaii, United States
Name: French Frigate Shoals Airport
FAA: HFS

Details
Type: Airport (Airfield)
Use: Private
Latitude: 23°51'51"N (23.864050)
Longitude: 166°17'05"W (-166.284633)
Elevation: 6 ft (2 m)
Runways: 1
Longest: 3000 × 200 ft (914 × 61 m)
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tern_Island_(Hawaii)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   23°52'11"N   166°17'3"W

Comments

  • I am watching about these islands on PBS. Interesting.
  • Old USCG Loran station. Airfield constructed by USN during WWII. Island is 3000' x 300', total size. population 4 (rotating US govt science personnel) Lots of birds live here, primarily the Sooty Tern.
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This article was last modified 1 year ago