Marshall Islands - 2.2.2 Marshall Islands (RMI) Bucholz Army Airfield

Airport Overview

Kwajalein International Airport is located on Kwajalein Atoll (7 km from Ebeye) within the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Military (Bucholz Army Airfield) and restricted to use by authorized persons. The airport is used as a transit point from Guam to Majuro by civilian carrier United Airlines. Apart from this exception, it is not part of the civilian air service in RMI.

Bucholz Army Airfield was initially built by the Japanese in 1943 as part of a large naval base. After the war, the United States used Kwajalein as a main command center and preparation base for Operation Crossroads and an extensive series of nuclear tests (comprising a total of 67 blasts) at the Marshalls' atolls of Bikini and Enewetak. Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, Bucholz became part of the Atomic Energy Commission Pacific Testing Area. Marshall Islands were officially made a Territory of the United States, and became an independent republic in 1986, Kwajalein atoll is still used by the United States for missile testing and various other operations. As of 2009, Bucholz Army Airfield is still operated by the United States Army.

Kwajalein airport is used as part of the domestic flight route to Ebeye by both United Airlines and Air Marshall Islands. Passengers disembark at the military base and are escorted to a passenger receiving area. Next, transport is provided to the dock terminal where passengers embark on a ferry to Ebeye. All civil and military operations require 24 hours' prior permission, and passengers transiting through Kwajalein on the same aircraft are not permitted to deplane. There is also a regular military charter from Honolulu managed by Air Transport International (military contractor).

Airport Location and Contact

Country

Marshall Islands

Province or District

Kwajalein

Nearest Town or City
with Distance from Airport

Ebeye

7 Km

Airport’s Complete Name

Bucholz Army Airfield

Latitude

8.720992111269425

Longitude

167.73149801112487

Elevation (ft and m)

9’/3m

IATA Code

KWA

ICAO Code

PKWA

Managing Company or Airport Authority

US Army Garrison

Management Contact Person

Mike Brantley

Open From (hours)

24 Hours

 

Airport Picture

image-20230616093952-1

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

The main point of contact at Bucholz is via the US Army Garrison Commander responsible for Base Operations.

Runways

Runway

Runway Dimensions

2,200 m x 60 m

Surface

Sealed

 

Helicopter Pad(s)

There are eight helicopter pads.

Helipads

Present

Yes

Largest Helicopter that can Land

N/A

Width and Length (m)

N/A

Surface

Sealed

 

Airport Infrastructure Details

Bucholz is an US Army Air base and details are not available at the time of writing.

Customs

N/A

JET A-1 fuel

Yes

Immigration

N/A

AVGAS 100

No

Terminal Building

Yes

Single Point Refueling

Yes

Passenger Terminal

Yes

Air Starter Units

N/A

Cargo terminal

Yes

Ground Power (mobile)

Yes

Pax Transport to Airfield

Yes

Ground Handling Services

Yes

Control Tower

Yes

Latrine Servicing

N/A

Weather Facilities

Yes

Fire Fighting Category (ICAO)

N/A

Catering Services

N/A

De-icing Equipment

N/A

Base Operating Room

N/A

Parking Ramp Lighting

N/A

Airport Radar

Yes

Approach & Runway Lights

Yes

NDB

N/A

VOR

N/A

ILS

N/A

 

 

 

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