Hughes Airstrip, Northern Territory, Australia

Hughes Airfield (32 Mile) is an airfield in the Northern Territory of Australia located approximately 50km south of Darwin in Hughes. It was constructed during World War II for military use. The airfield now functions as a base for aerial firefighting aircraft to protect the outer rural suburbs of Darwin. The airfield was built by the U.S. Army engineering unit, the 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion, from 10 March 1942 until 13 April 1942 and was 5,000 feet (1,500 m) long and 100 feet (30 m) wide. 9km long with two main taxi ways at the northern end of approximately 600m across. Associated defence positions (gun emplacements) and remnant items (drums, ammunition boxes) are located in the bush around the site. Hughes Airfield was one of a number of airfields constructed north of the Daly Waters during World War 2. It is significant in being purpose built for medium bomber operations and in being the operational base for RAAF Hudson bombers of Nos. 2 and 13 Squadrons RAAF.