| Snake Bay Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: SNB – ICAO: YSNB | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Government | ||
| Serves | Melville Island, Australia | ||
| Location | Milikapiti, Northern Territory | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 173 ft / 53 m | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 13/31 | 1,443 | 4,734 | Asphalt |
| Source: DAFIF[1][2] | |||
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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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 Force 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 meters (6,001 ft) long were constructed.[3]
The airfield was never fully utilized as the proposed amphibious operations were canceled and replaced with Papua Campaign. The airfield was known as Austin Strip and RAAF Melville Island.