Nackeroo Airfield

Construction

In early June of 2007, construction of an unpaved airstrip began as part of the Joint Rapid Airfield Construction Project. It was located in the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory. Clearing and grubbing of the site began on 2 June, 2007. On 16 June, 2007, the last of the screened material was placed and compacted. The construction of the airstrip was undertaken by a combined team of Australian Defence Force and U.S. military engineers, including personnel from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and personnel from the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. Work was carried out by 110 Australian personnel and 105 U.S. personnel. After 16 days, a dirt surface runway measuring 1,200 meters long and 45 meters wide was completed on 18 June, 2007, and two turning aprons were completed a day later, only taking 3 days to complete. The airfield was named after the 2/1st North Australia Observer Unit, which was established in Katherine, Northern Territory and gained the nickname "Nackeroos".^[1] Nackeroo Airfield was certified for operations by a USAF certification team from the 310th Special Tactical Squadron on 23 June, 2007. ^[2] In the same day, a RAAF Lockheed C-130 Hercules became the first aircraft to land on the newly completed airstrip.^[3] Following the certification, tests involving runway geometry and pavement strength were conducted using field testing and surveying instruments. On 28 June, 2007, Nackeroo Airfield was approved for use by the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. On 29 June, 2007, Nackeroo Airfield was officially opened, coinciding with Exercise Talisman Sabre 2007 where Australian and U.S. C-17 aircraft demonstrated the runway capability.^[4][5]

Operations

In August 2021, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin conducted a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration mission, which involved the seizure of Nackeroo Airfield and landing a C-17 at the airstrip as part of training during Exercise Loobye.^[6]

In June 2024, construction of a paved runway and apron began, undertaken by Mitcon Projects as part of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Over 15,000m2 of concrete and over 5,000m2 of heat-resistant hardstands were installed, with the budget amounting to 21 million Australian dollars. Up to 25,000 dowels and 6,000lm of saw cuts were also installed and completed. On 31 May, 2024, the runway upgrades were completed. On 4 June, 2024, a public commemoration with Traditional Owners and Defence personnel was held, marking the official opening of the airfield. Additional load-bearing and aircraft pavements works continued until February 2025, which also marked the 10 year anniversary of Mitcon Projects' operations in the Northern Territory.^[7] The new runway and apron increased the capacity of aircraft parking, allowing aircraft such as the C-17A Globemaster III and Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey to operate from Nackeroo Airfield.^[8]